News Summary
The University of Tennessee has revealed its lineup for the upcoming theatre and music season, showcasing a diverse array of productions. Highlights include performances from the Clarence Brown Theatre, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and Knoxville Opera. Subscriptions are now available, with significant events such as the grand opening of the new Jenny Boyd Carousel Theatre. This season promises to be a cultural celebration for the Knoxville community through a range of classic and contemporary works.
Knoxville – The University of Tennessee has unveiled an exciting lineup for its 2025-26 theatre and music season, presenting a blend of classic works and contemporary creations that promise to captivate audiences. This program features productions from several local organizations, including the Clarence Brown Theatre, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Opera, and more, highlighting the cultural vibrancy of the Knoxville arts scene.
Subscriptions to the season’s various productions are now available, with single tickets set to go on sale in August. This season marks a significant milestone with the debut of the Jenny Boyd Carousel Theatre at the Clarence Brown Theatre, replacing the former Carousel Theatre renowned for its unique theatre-in-the-round format.
Clarence Brown Theatre Productions
The Clarence Brown Theatre will present six productions throughout the season. Sense & Sensibility, adapted by Kate Hamill from the novel by Jane Austen, will kick off on September 17, 2025, and run until October 5. Following this, The Harvest by Samuel D. Hunter will be showcased from October 22 to November 9, followed by the traditional holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol, adapted by Edward Morgan and Joseph Hanreddy, with music by John Tanner, from November 20 to December 20. The inaugural production in the new Jenny Boyd Carousel Theatre will be Cabaret, set to run from February 11 to March 1, 2026. Additional productions include The Royale, from March 25 to April 12, 2026, and the classic comedy You Can’t Take It With You, from April 15 to May 3, 2026.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Performances
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 90th season with an impressive series of concerts, offering a range of performances in five concert series. The Masterworks Series will feature Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (September 18-19), Elgar’s Cello Concerto with soloist Zlatomir Fung (October 16-17), and Rhapsody in Blue featuring Chaeyoung Park (November 20-21). The season also includes Brahms (January 15-16), a Valentine’s concert (February 12-13), West Side Story (March 12-13), and concludes with acclaimed violinist Midori’s performance (April 16-17), alongside the Marsalis Swing Symphony concert in May.
Knoxville Opera Series
The Knoxville Opera will contribute to the 2025-26 season with three notable productions: Carmen by Georges Bizet (October 24-26, 2025), Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini (February 20-22, 2026), and Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini (May 8-10, 2026).
River & Rail Productions
River & Rail Productions is moving to a new location on Magnolia Avenue and will stage four compelling plays. The season starts with Moon Man Walk by James Ijames (September 11-28, 2025), followed by Little Women (December 4-21, 2025), The Old Man And The Old Moon (February 12 – March 1, 2026), and Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (April 16 – May 3, 2026).
Tennessee Theatre Productions
The Tennessee Theatre will be hosting a variety of Broadway shows during the season, including The Book Of Mormon (November 11-16, 2025), Kimberly Akimbo (December 30, 2025 – January 4, 2026), and MJ: The Musical (January 20-25, 2026). Audiences can also look forward to The Outsiders (April 22-26, 2026), Disney’s Beauty And The Beast (May 20-24, 2026), and & Juliet (August 4-9, 2026).
Marble City Opera Announcement
In a significant development, Ryan Colbert has been appointed as the Associate Executive Artistic Director for Marble City Opera, effective August 1, 2025. The season will commence with Baritones, Boots, & Bats at Cherokee Caverns on September 14, 2025.
UT Opera Theatre Productions
The UT Opera Theatre will offer an Italian double-bill featuring La cambiale di matrimonio by Gioachino Rossini (November 14-16, 2025) and The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček (April 24-26, 2026).
Knoxville Choral Society Events
The Knoxville Choral Society will engage in collaborative concerts with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, along with additional performances throughout the 2025-26 season.
Tennessee Theatre Expansion and Renovation
In line with the growing arts initiative, the Tennessee Theatre is undergoing a substantial expansion and renovation project valued at $24 million. This undertaking will enhance community programming by adding 30,000 square feet of space, complete with new restrooms and rehearsal areas. Expected to be finished by early 2026, the project aims to better serve patrons and accommodate the increased demand for arts programming in the area. Fundraising efforts are ongoing to support these developments, with a call for community participation to finalize the project costs.
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Additional Resources
- Arts Knoxville: 2025-26 Knoxville Music and Theatre Season
- Knox News: Tennessee Theatre Expansion
- Bandsintown: Mannheim Steamroller at Tennessee Theatre
- WBIR: Tennessee Theatre Expansion Overview
- WATE: Tennessee Theatre Broadway Shows 2025-2026
- Wikipedia: Knoxville
- Google Search: Knoxville arts scene
- Google Scholar: Knoxville theatre
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knoxville Tennessee
- Google News: Knoxville theatre expansion
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
