At the heart of Manchester’s downtown, the Palace Theatre Trust now allocates 5 premier entertainment spaces. Its diverse portfolio features the flagship 834-seat Palace Theatre, the intimate 300-seat Rex Theatre, the member-exclusive Spotlight Club, Forever Emma Studios (home to the Palace Youth Theatre), and the newest addition, the Singer Center for the Arts.

Prepare for a new, thrilling season of live theatre at the Palace with the 2026–2027 St. Mary’s Bank Performing Arts Series. The season commences with Sister Act, a high-energy feel-good musical comedy, which runs September 11th through October 4th. Based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, this story is a moving tribute to the power of community and friendship. We then follow with one of the most critically acclaimed masterpieces in American theatre history, Fiddler on the Roof, playing October 23rd through November 15th.

Holiday spirit emerges with The Nutcracker, running November 19th through the 22nd, followed by the return of a timeless family tradition: A Christmas Carol, on stage November 27th through December 27th. 

With the start of a new year comes a new show. 2027 pilots with a beloved classic that takes place right here in New England, Little Women. Based on the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, this cherished story of family, loss, and life comes to the stage from January 15th through February 7th. Next is the beloved and charming tale of a feisty, redheaded orphan who takes New York by storm. Annie runs from February 26th through March 2nd and is sure to leave you with a smile. The groundbreaking rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar returns to the Palace stage and runs April 16th through May 9th. Finally, we finish our fantastic season with Tootsie, which runs from June 4th through June 27th. Based on the hit 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman, Tootsie is a laugh-out-loud masterpiece you won’t want to miss. 

What makes this series so special? Each production is cast from a national talent pool. Carl Rajotte personally auditions hundreds of performers from across the U.S., assembling professional casts who live, rehearse, and perform in Manchester for six-week residencies. The artists bring Broadway-caliber performances right to our community! 

Beyond the Performing Arts Series, this fall, the Palace Theatre will also host two amazing comics, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, in their comedy special, Asking for Trouble. Along with celebrating the return of two of the most authentic musical tributes — Stayin’ Alive (A Bee Gees Tribute) and Remembering John Denver with Ted Vigil. There's truly something for everyone. 

For a more intimate, up-close experience, head over to the Rex Theatre. Crack up with the Irish comedy sensation David Nihill in his Taking Tangents Tour, throw it back with some amazing tribute bands, Seconds Out (Genesis Tribute), Running on Jackson (Jackson Browne Tribute), Uncaged (Zac Brown Tribute), Back in Black (AC/DC Tribute), and Forever Ray (Ray Charles Tribute). Whether your vibe is blues, country, Americana, or big band jazz, we’ve got you! 

And don’t forget our incredible Palace Youth Theatre (PYT) performers. Watch them light up the Palace and Rex stages with PYT productions that include beloved titles like Trolls Jr., How to Train Your Dragon Jr., and more! Over 1,200 young performers participate each year in our camps and productions, making PYT one of New Hampshire’s largest and fastest-growing youth theatre programs. These shows are high-energy, family-friendly, and always full of heart.