The Rep's Complete 25/26 Season Revealed

Just revealed is the complete 25/26 season of The Rep.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) is the region’s premiere theatre for compelling, award-winning theatrical experiences that entertain, engage, and illuminate audiences shared humanity. Founded in 1966, for more than five decades The Rep has sustained and built upon its commitment to artistic excellence by creating, developing, and curating adventurous new works and beloved classics from the most exciting emerging and established American voices.

The 25/26 builds on that reputation. The start of the season begins just after Labor Day with the sharp-witted fresh comedy The Cottage. It runs September 3 - 28 and is directed by Risa Brainin, last seen directing the 2017 Rep production of To Kill A Mockingbird.

The Rep welcomes audiences with inspiring and expansive productions at several inviting stages across St. Louis including the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre (mainstage productions) and Emerson Studio at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts.

2025-26 Season Mainstage Productions

The Cottage

by Sandy Rustin Directed by Risa Brainin September 3 - 28, 2025

From the playwright that took Clue from screen to stage, The Cottage is an outrageously roaring 20s romp that will have you laughing from start to finish. Set in 1923 in an English country cottage, a woman decides to expose her latest affair to both her husband—and her lover's wife. As secrets unravel and passions collide, the meaning of love, identity, and marriage are all thrown into question, and served in a way only the British can serve it: with tea. With shocking plot twists, scandalous reveals, and razor-sharp humor, The Cottage is a deliciously funny hit comedy where no one’s secrets are safe.

The Woman in Black

Original London production of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt October 8 - 26, 2025

It is a story that refuses to stay buried. Arthur Kipps has carried a dreadful secret for years—determined to confront his darkest memories, he hires a young actor to help bring his nightmare to life and finally put it to rest. But as the rehearsals unfold, something sinister stirs in the shadows. In this haunting stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story, The Woman in Black pulls audiences into the mystery of Eel Marsh House, where shadows stretch long, voices whisper in the wind, and an inescapable terror lurks just out of sight. Join us if you dare—because once you see her, there’s no turning back.

Emma

By Kate Hamill, Based on the novel by Jane Austen Directed by Tracy Brigden December 3 - 21, 2025

1815 promises to be another eventful holiday season for clever Miss Emma Woodhouse. Highbury’s most charming- if somewhat meddlesome- young lady is once again indulging in her favorite pastime: matchmaking. With a most inconvenient interest in everyone else’s affairs, this author wonders– will her schemes lead to love or disaster? As snow falls and hearts flutter, one truth remains universally acknowledged: not even the lovely Emma Woodhouse is immune to the unpredictable arrows of Cupid.

Primary Trust

by Eboni Booth Directed by Tyrone Phillips February 4 - March 1, 2026

Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Eboni Booth’s hilarious and heartwarming play offers up a modern, tiki-lit homage to slices of Americana such as Our Town, Harvey, and It's a Wonderful Life. Kenneth’s predictable life—Mai Tais at his favorite bar and a steady job at a local bookstore—begins to unravel, forcing him to confront a childhood loss and the uncertainties of adulthood. With guidance from an imaginary friend, a kind waitress, and a splash of liquid courage, he discovers that trust, love, and friendship—much like the perfect Mai Tai—are best mixed in unexpected ways.

Gypsy

A Musical Fable Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Directed by Kate Bergstrom Choreographed by Taavon Ganble March 18 - April 12, 2026

The Mother of All Musicals: One of the greatest musicals of all time, Gypsy features music by Jule Styne, a book by Arthur Laurents, and lyrics that put a young Stephen Sondheim on the map. Based on the memoirs of the iconic Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy is the larger-than-life American story that follows the ultimate stage mom as she pushes her daughters toward stardom—whether they like it or not. With dazzling showbiz numbers, sharp humor, and an unforgettable score featuring “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Let Me Entertain You”, this timeless classic is equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and completely showstopping.

Steve Woolf Studio Series 25/26

Performed in the Emerson Studio of the Loretto-Hilton Center

The Brothers Size

by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Directed by Jackie Thompson October 22 - November 16, 2025

Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult language Deep in the Louisiana bayou, myth meets the common man. In The Brothers Size, Academy Award–winner Tarell Alvin McCraney fuses Yoruba cosmology with contemporary reality to craft an immersive and visceral exploration of brotherhood, incarceration, and the fight for freedom. Gritty, poetic, and mythic in scale, this electrifying drama pulses with rhythm, ritual, and raw humanity. Brought to life for the first time in St. Louis, The Brothers Size is a searing portrait of love, loyalty, and the hard road to healing.

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party

by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, Presented by Indian Ink Theatre Company January 14 - February 8, 2026

Mrs. Krishnan is throwing a party—and you’re invited! What starts as a small gathering quickly turns into a full-blown celebration when dozens of unexpected guests (and you, the audience!) arrive at Mrs. Krishnan’s corner shop. With food on the stove, music in the air, and surprises around every corner, this immersive theatrical experience from the New Zealand-based Indian Ink Theatre Company is a joyous celebration of life, laughter, and community. No two performances are the same—so grab a seat, join the fun, and leave with a full heart (and a taste of delicious dahl)!

The Enigmatist

written and performed by David Kwong March 11 - April 5, 2026

Can you crack the code? Prepare to have your brain delightfully scrambled by master magician and New York Times crossword constructor David Kwong. The Enigmatist invites you into a world of mystery, misdirection, and mental gymnastics. Following sold-out runs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and D.C., this immersive theatrical experience arrives to puzzle and delight in equal parts. The Los Angeles Times hails Kwong’s performance as one that “creates a magical sense of togetherness,” while The New York Times raves, “it’s like a spin class for the frontal lobe.” Keep your wits about you—every detail holds a clue, and nothing is quite what it seems.

The Steve Woolf Studio Series is proudly sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

The Ugly Duckling

A story by Hans Christian Andersen, Adapted by Jennifer Cameron and Nathan A. Roberts, Directed by Delaney Piggins March 28, 2026, at 10:30am and 1pm

Imaginary Theatre Company Touring the greater St. Louis area with final performance in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center

The Ugly Duckling. It soars to life in this heartwarming musical adventure from The Rep’s Imaginary Theatre Company. Perfect for children of all ages and the young at heart, this joyful tale follows one little duckling’s journey of self-discovery through a world that often misunderstands what is unfamiliar and new. Along the way, the duckling encounters creatures convinced their small corner of the world is the whole story—only to realize there’s so much more to learn when you open your mind and heart. Full of music, humor, and transformation, The Ugly Duckling is a celebration of curiosity, courage, and the idea that being different might just be your superpower.

ABOUT THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS

Danny Williams, managing director; Kate Bergstrom, artistic director / photo by Antonio T. Harris

The Rep builds bridges within the St. Louis community and beyond by offering productions that allow audiences to see themselves and the stories that matter to them represented on stage, through the organization’s robust community engagement programs, and across its educational initiatives.

A thought leader in the national theatre landscape, The Rep is a dedicated partner with arts organizations in St. Louis and across the country, expanding audiences’ appreciation and understanding of the world through theatre. In December 2023, The Rep was named a Missouri Historical Theatre, which is awarded to theaters that contribute to tourism in Missouri, promote arts in its community and throughout Missouri, and has been operational for a minimum of 50 years.

Subscriptions and single tickets for The Rep’s upcoming 2025/26 Season with expanded offerings of five Mainstage productions and three Studio plays all performed at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University are now available. To purchase tickets visit their website or call the Box Office, Monday - Friday 12pm - 5pm  at (314) 968-4925. The Rep Box Office will also be available for in-person support at the Loretto-Hilton Center Wednesdays - Fridays  from 12pm - 5pm and 2 hours prior to any curtain time.

For more information, please visit repstl.org and follow @repstl.