During a live sneak peek event tonight, Walton Arts Center announced the 2025-26 Procter & Gamble Broadway Series, featuring six must-see shows.
The Broadway series includes A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Oct. 14-19; Kimberly Akimbo, Dec. 9-14; Water for Elephants, Feb. 24 – March 1; Some Like it Hot, March 17-22; Mamma Mia!, April 21-26; & Juliet, May 26-31.
Five of the shows are coming straight from Broadway on their first national tours, making their Arkansas debut at Walton Arts Center. One is a global blockbuster that is returning after 10 years.
In addition to the six-show lineup, Walton Arts Center also announced five Broadway bonus shows for the 2025-26 season. Patrons who subscribe now have first access to purchase tickets to four performances of Clue Nov. 7-9; four performances of Mrs. Doubtfire Dec. 19-21; four performances of The Music Man Jan. 16-18; eight performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Feb. 3-8; and eight performances of Moulin Rouge! The Musical July 8-12, 2026.
“With 11 Broadway shows, this marks our biggest season yet,” said Jennifer Ross, vice president of programming at Walton Arts Center. “We have everything from the best new shows on their first national tours to some returning favorites. It’s going to be a monumental season at the theater.”
Broadway subscriptions are available now. Subscribers get the best seats at the best price for all Broadway shows along with priority access to new shows, discounts on most other shows during the season and free ticket exchange and replacement.
Six-show Broadway subscription packages range from $351 to $531 for Tuesday and Wednesday evening and Thursday matinee, and $405 to $585 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Package prices vary depending on seat location and include all fees. Dates, programs and prices are subject to change.
Cocktail classes are back for the new Broadway season too. Purchase a cocktail class for $45 and learn how to make two specialty drinks, paired with light appetizers before your show. Add on three or more to your subscription for reduced pricing. Must be 21 or older to purchase.
Subscriptions are available now for a limited time and can be renewed or purchased online at waltonartscenter.org, by calling the subscriber concierge at 479.571.2785 or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm. Single tickets to all Broadway and other shows in the 2025-26 season will be available later this summer.
2025-26 P&G BROADWAY SERIES
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
Oct. 14-19
8 performances
Cocktail classes: Oct. 16-18
Arkansas Premiere
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award and sold-out concerts around the world, Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway and head out on the road across the U.S.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A Beautiful Noise is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
Presented in association with and endorsed by Neil Diamond.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Kimberly Akimbo
Dec. 9-14
8 performances
Arkansas Premiere
A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), Kimberly Akimbo is the winner of five Tony Awards® including best musical. It features a Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone (Water for Elephants).
Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.
Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Water for Elephants
Feb. 24 – March 1
8 performances
Cocktail classes: Feb. 26-28
Arkansas Premiere
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Timescalls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life – and love – beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. Tony Award®-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.
So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at Water for Elephants, “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania).
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Some Like it Hot
March 17-22
8 performances
Cocktail classes: March 19-21
Arkansas Premiere
Winner of four Tony Awards®, including best choreography and best costumes, and the Grammy Award® for best musical theater album, Some Like it Hot is “A super-sized, all-out song-and-dance spectacular!” (The New York Times). Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, Some Like it Hot is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.
Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Mamma Mia!
April 21-26
Cocktail classes: April 23-25
8 performances
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. For more than 25 years, people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
& Juliet
May 26-31
8 performances
Cocktail classes: May 28-30
Arkansas Premiere
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love – her way.
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is“ and "Can't Stop the Feeling!" – all from the genius songwriter and producer behind more No. 1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Support for Walton Arts Center is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Walton Arts Center is Arkansas’ largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 215,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 300 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 35,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 250 volunteers donate 28,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to enjoy world-class performances at a great price. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
