ON Stage Arizona

Celebrating America at 250: Gershwin, Copland & More
2026-02-27 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix)
Mélisse Brunet returns to conduct Copland’s iconic Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, Ives’ Variations on “America” and Bates’ The Rhapsody of Steve Jobs. Stewart Goodyear returns as soloist in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, a 100-year-old work that fuses jazz, ragtime, and classical music into a sensational piece, rounding out this American celebration in music.

I Dream a World
2026-02-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ, 85622, United States
Combining the musical forces of solo piano, chorus and orchestra with powerful texts written by Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran and award-winning poet Brian Turner, Jake Runestad’s Dreams of the Fallen explores a soldier’s experience of war and its lasting impact. Turner’s poetry conjures the reality of war and the post-traumatic stress syndrome that haunts our fighting men and women long after returning home. Runestad’s music evokes what “the other side” could be: a community of people embracing—with compassion and understanding—those who have endured armed combat and a world with no conflict or war. Peter Boyer’s gorgeous and uplifting Dreaming a World, with texts from Langston Hughes, Native American prayers and Walt Whitman, plus references to Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Cesar Chavez and more, is a collection of American ideals focused on equality and the dream of all people living in harmony.

Empire At Sea
2026-02-25 19:00 - 21:00 | ASU Gammage, 1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe, 85281
An interactive, social, augmented reality “survival of the species” story set in a futuristic city at sea. This episodic, Solarpunk drama speaks directly to the climate change generation with an action-packed father-daughter story that addresses themes of sustainability, multicultural communities, matriarchal lineage, and the conflict between inclusionary and exclusionary social principles – all with a phenomenal cast of characters, including Orlando Jones (American Gods) and Ayelet Zurer (Stephen Spielberg’s Munich). A group of climate scientists take a research sabbatical on a remote oil rig to experiment with creating a sustainable ecosystem on the harsh, open ocean. Before their return home, the Big One hits and the mainland is wiped out. The drama centers on the sudden appearance of a boat on the horizon for the first time in four years, and whether our group should allow its occupants on board. We experience the story with twelve participants using immersive AR headsets, which allow us to follow the characters as large cinematic holograms and explore the magical setting on our custom-made interactive LED table.

Festival Orchestra: American Portraits
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30
To celebrate America’s sesquicentennial, the Festival Orchestra takes a musical journey through major eras of our country’s history. From the American Revolution and the War of 1812 to the Civil War, the Roaring 20s, and beyond, this concert will highlight and honor the music that has become the soundtrack of America for 250 years. Featured works to include Aaron Copland’s monumental Lincoln Portrait, as well as selections from Gershwin’s beloved Porgy and Bess. The concert concludes with rousing patriotic favorites including “America the Beautiful” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever”.

The Book of Mormon
2026-02-27 19:30 - 22:00 | Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
The Book of Mormon at Centennial Hall in Tucson, Arizona
Broadway in Tucson presents The Book of Mormon, the outrageous musical comedy sensation, at Centennial Hall. Follow a mismatched pair of eager missionaries as they journey halfway around the world to spread the Good Word. Hailed for its sharp humor and unforgettable score, this award-winning production boasts standing-room-only runs on Broadway, in London’s West End, and major cities across North America.
Prepare for laugh-out-loud moments, catchy songs, and a heartfelt story of friendship and faith. With witty lyrics and bold satire, The Book of Mormon pushes boundaries and sparks conversation. Please note: this production contains explicit language and mature themes.
Tickets sell quickly for this modern musical masterpiece. Reserve your seats now. Don’t miss your chance to see The Book of Mormon live in Tucson—an unforgettable theatrical experience that defies expectations and delivers nonstop entertainment!

Mariachi Herencia de México with Leonardo Aguilar: La Nueva Generación
2026-02-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Ikeda Theater, One East Main St, Mesa, AZ, 85201, United States
This performance will be announced in November 2025.
