A fixture of the Washington County arts and culture scene since its founding in 1949, Little Lake Theatre has officially announced its 2026 season, Home Is Where the Heart Is, and with it several exciting announcements for the historic theatre company now expanding operations to reach new audiences and continue its mission of theatre education.
Coming off the high of a record-breaking 2025 season, Little Lake Theatre Company has announced its 2026 season, Home Is Where the Heart Is, a series of classic musicals, contemporary comedies and galvanizing dramas underscoring the company’s mission to create theatre that unifies and uplifts the community. (Full schedule below.)
“After celebrating a remarkable 77th season, we are thrilled to look ahead to a year of productions that showcase the extraordinary talent and passion of our artists, musicians, stage crew, technicians, volunteers, patrons, subscribers and supporters,” said managing director Patti Knapp. “This community makes it possible for Little Lake Theatre to thrive.”
The 2026 season also marks a new chapter in the theatre’s growth and outreach, as Little Lake is to become the resident and anchor theatre company at the Canonsburg Educational and Cultural Institute (CECI) - housed in the former Canonsburg Middle School – where select productions and educational programming will take place in a newly restored 580-seat theatre.
“While we will perform our first show at CECI in December 2026, Little Lake Theatre will maintain its historic lakeside home and continue to produce the majority of our season at the heart of our operations since 1949,” said Patrick Cannon, Little Lake Theatre Artistic Director. “The partnership with CECI represents an expansion, not a relocation, allowing Little Lake to reach new audiences while preserving the intimate, in-the-round experience that defines the Lake’s identity.”
Building upon its long history as an educational theatre, Little Lake is launching the Little Lake Theatre Academy, a new umbrella for all classes, camps, and youth programming. The Academy will eventually operate year-round, with classes and workshops offered both at Little Lake’s lakeside home and in CECI’s dedicated classroom spaces.
“CECI is a new entrant into the local cultural scene. We strive to provide a high quality space for Broadway shows, concerts and other types of performances,” said Tony Colaizzo, head of CECI’s Board of Directors. “Strategic collaboration with LLTC is a catalyst for increased cultural vitality in Canonsburg, Washington County and the region. We are excited about both the performances and the theater academy helping us achieve our mission.”
Little Lake is also expanding its large-scale community collaborations. In 2026, the theatre will present the 2nd Annual Broadway at the Ballpark—moving from its debut with the Washington Wild Things in 2024 to Highmark Stadium, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds & Riveters. The season will also include an outdoor performance of The Wolves at the stadium.
“Theatre has always been about connection between artists, audiences, and the communities we serve,” said Cannon. “Every theatre has a home, and ours keeps finding new ways to welcome people in. This next chapter widens our circle. Partnering with CECI and with the Riverhounds and Riveters lets us meet audiences where they are, from our beloved lakeside stage to a 500-seat proscenium stage to a stadium under the lights. The work remains the same: tell great stories, invite everyone in, and make our community stronger.”
LITTLE LAKE THEATRE: 2026 SCHEDULE
Tickets can be purchased here starting November 11 at 9 p.m.
Pickleball
By Jeff Daniels
May 28–June 14
A sharp, laugh-out-loud new comedy set on the court.
A Few Good Men
By Aaron Sorkin
June 25–July 12
A courtroom drama that crackles with intensity.
Frozen Jr.
Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez | Book by Jennifer Lee | Based on the Disney film
July 23–August 2
A magical youth production about courage and sisterhood.
Access: Sensory-friendly performance
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
By Kate Hamill
August 13–30
A rollicking, fast-paced comedy-mystery.
Access: ASL Performance
Big Fish
Book by John August | Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa | Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film
September 10–27
A sweeping musical about fathers, sons, and the stories that shape us.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
By Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen | Based on Bram Stoker’s novel
October 8–25
A frightfully funny twist on a classic tale.
The Wolves
By Sarah DeLappe
November 5–22
A fierce, funny portrait of a girls’ indoor soccer team.
Partnership: Outdoor performance at Highmark Stadium with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds & Riveters
White Christmas
Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin | Book by David Ives & Paul Blake | Based on the Paramount Pictures film
December 3–20
The holiday favorite returns- this year in collaboration with CECI in their newly renovated theatre.
RETURNING SPECIAL EVENTS
3rd Annual Farmer McDowell’s Play in a Day — a 24-hour new-work sprint featuring local artists.
2nd Annual Broadway at the Ballpark — presented at Highmark Stadium in partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds & Riveters, following its debut with the Washington Wild Things.
An additional performance of The Wolves at Highmark Stadium.
