For 65 years, the Utah Shakespeare Festival has welcomed audiences to Cedar City for stories that entertain, challenge, and connect. This summer, the Tony Award-winning Festival is celebrating that legacy with a season built around the theme “Generations Gather Here”—a fitting tribute to the families, friends, artists, and audiences who have made the Festival part of their lives for decades.
Since its founding in 1961, the Festival has grown from a small outdoor theater into one of the nation’s premier repertory theater companies. Yet despite its growth, one thing has remained constant: the power of live storytelling to bring people together.
(Karl Hugh, sponsored) |Gabriel W. Elmore, (left) as Corporal Clive Winton, Emily Hawkins as Penelope Toop, Calvin Adams as Rev. Arthur Humphrey, and Mat Hostetler as The Reverend Lionel Toop in "See How They Run", 2026.
“Generation after generation has come together to build, share, and experience the work at the Festival,” says Executive Managing Director Michael Bahr. “We welcome all to join the legacy.”
That enduring sense of connection and tradition is palpable throughout the Festival. It is common to see grandparents introducing grandchildren to Shakespeare for the first time, families returning for annual summer traditions, and first-time visitors discovering why audiences travel from across the country to spend time in Cedar City each season.
The 2026 season offers something for every theatergoer. Shakespeare classics Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Troilus and Cressida share the lineup with beloved Broadway musicals and comedies including Something Rotten!, She Loves Me, and See How They Run. Audiences can also enjoy contemporary works such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and The Book Club Play.
(Karl Hugh, sponsored) |Ali Ewoldt (left) as Amalia Balash, Chris Mixon as Mr. Maraczek, and Matt Koenig as Georg Nowak in "She Loves Me", 2026.
Beyond the performances, the Festival Experience expands your visit with free and interactive offerings. The nightly Greenshow invites audiences to gather outdoors for music, storytelling, and entertainment before performances begin. Orientations and seminars provide opportunities for thoughtful conversations with scholars and artists, while new activities such as Junior Bard and Festival Quest encourage guests to explore the Festival and community in fresh ways.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, the cultural hub on Southern Utah University’s campus that unites the Festival and the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Together, these institutions have created a vibrant destination where performing and visual arts thrive side by side.
(Karl Hugh, sponsored) | Matt Koenig (left) as Nick Bottom, Jason Rexx as Nigel Bottom, and Pascal Pastrana as William Shakespeare in "Something Rotten!", 2026.
To celebrate the milestone, Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and SUMA will host a daylong community celebration on Friday, June 26, featuring live music, exhibits, family activities, a vendor street fair, and opening-week performances. The event highlights not only the anniversary of the Beverley Center, but also the collaborative spirit that continues to shape arts and culture in Southern Utah.
Adding to the excitement is an Americana-themed Greenshow celebrating America 250 with nostalgic, feel-good songs sure to inspire audiences to sing and dance along.
(Karl Hugh, sponsored) | r Addison, (left) as Orsino and Kayland Jordan as Olivia in "Twelfth Night", 2026.
For Bahr, the significance of this year goes beyond looking back.
“We are grounded in the beautiful foundational work of the past, which catapults us into who we are aiming to be,” he says. “This isn’t just a look back. It’s a launching pad for the next decades of humanity, community, and discovery.”
Whether you’re a longtime patron or considering your first visit, this landmark season offers a chance to experience the stories, traditions, and connections that have made the Utah Shakespeare Festival a beloved summer destination for generations.
Salt Lake Tribune readers can save 10% on Festival tickets with code SLTrib26. Learn more about the season and purchase tickets at:
bard.org or call 800-PLAYTIX