Lied Center of Kansas announces its 2025–26 season
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lied Center of Kansas announced the 2025–26 season on Sunday, May 4, to the Friends of the Lied at the annual Season Announcement Party.
The new season, which kicks off in September, features Grammy-winners Peabo Bryson, Takács Quartet and Renée Fleming as well as the national Broadway tours of the Tony Award-winning shows “KINKY BOOTS” and “CHICAGO The Musical.” In addition, the Lied Center will present the multi-platinum vocal group IL DIVO, Broadway and TV star Matthew Morrison, and #IMOMSOHARD—a comedy show starring the creators of the popular web series and podcast. The family-friendly performances include the Imagination Movers, “Peppa Pig–My First Concert” and 360 ALLSTARS. The Folk, Chamber Music and Just Friends Jazz Series shows will also continue in the intimate setting of the Lied Center Pavilion.
The upcoming season also brings the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis back to the Lied Center stage to premiere a new work, commissioned by the Lied Center, inspired by seminal figures in KU history.
“We take very seriously the responsibility of presenting the highest-caliber international-touring artists to our community and region. It is our goal to provide an extremely wide variety of programs every year. Whether you are a young parent, classical music lover, opera buff, comedy connoisseur, jazz devotee or Broadway fan, we believe there is something for you. From a Pulitzer Prize winner and National Medal of Arts recipient to a group created by Simon Cowell, as well as every preschooler’s favorite pig, we invite the community to explore and sample this buffet of artistic offerings,” said Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center.
Learn more about the lineup at lied.ku.edu/season. Tickets for the 2025–26 season are on sale now to Friends of the Lied and KU students, by phone and at the Ticket Office. Individual show tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 9, by phone, at the Ticket Office and lied.ku.edu.
Those interested in becoming a Friend of the Lied for advance ticket sales can visit lied.ku.edu/donate or call 785-864-2787 to learn more.
About the Lied Center of Kansas:
The Lied Center of Kansas serves the University of Kansas and the greater community by functioning as a catalyst for the arts, creativity, engagement and community building. Since opening its doors in 1993, the Lied Center has presented diverse, world-class performing arts each season, engaged our community with experiential learning through the performing arts, and served as a communal gathering space for shared experiences and connection. Learn more about the Lied Center at lied.ku.edu.
2025–26 Season Listing:
#IMOMSOHARD: The Flashback Tour
Two moms, lots of laughs–creators of the popular web series and podcast on tour
•Saturday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
•$35-$50 Adult, $19-$26 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Truity Credit Union
The Romm Trio
Unique two-trumpet-and-piano family ensemble
•Sunday, September 28, 2:00 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth
•Chamber Music Series
Charles Goold Ensemble
•Monday & Tuesday, September 29 & 30, 7:30 p.m.
•$35 Adult, $19 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Creative Planning/Steve & Chris Edmonds
•Just Friends Jazz Series
TINA–The Tina Turner Musical
The triumphant story of the queen of rock ‘n’ roll
•Tuesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
•$45-$65 Adult, $24-$34 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Cherry Hill Properties
•Broadway Series
Imagination Movers
Emmy Award-winning children’s music group, as seen on Disney+
•Saturday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.
• $25 Adult, $14 Student/Youth
•Family Series
Ellis Paul
Singer-songwriter and master folk storyteller
•Sunday, October 19, 7:30 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Landmark National Bank
•Folk Series
Matthew Morrison: Rhythms & Revelations
Broadway and TV star known for his standout role in Glee
•Wednesday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
•$35-$50 Adult, $19-$26 Student/Youth
Ziggy & Miles, guitar duo
Award-winning classical guitarist brothers
•Sunday, October 26, 2:00 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Dave & Gunda Hiebert
•Chamber Music Series
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: World Premiere Honoring 15 KU Icons
•Thursday, November 6, 7:30 p.m.
•$35-$55 Adult, $19-$29 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Black Hills Energy
Sharel Cassity & Richard Johnson
•Monday & Tuesday, November 10 & 11, 7:30 p.m.
•$35 Adult, $19 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Creative Planning/Steve & Chris Edmonds
•Just Friends Jazz Series
KU Symphony Orchestra with special guest Xavier Foley, bass
Conducted by Creston Herron
•Thursday, November 13, 7:30 p.m.
•$25 Adult, $14 Student/Youth
•Jayhawk Live Series
PEABO BRYSON: The Golden Touch Tour
Grammy- and Oscar-winning legendary vocalist celebrating 50 years in music
•Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m.
•$35-$50 Adult, $19-$26 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Dr. Jim & Vickie Otten
Jonatha Brooke
Singer-songwriter merging folk, melodic pop and roots rock
•Sunday, November 23, 7:30 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Landmark National Bank
•Folk Series
A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL
Hilarious Broadway hit based on the iconic holiday movie
•Tuesday, December 9, 7:00 p.m.
•$45-$65 Adult, $24-$34 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by McDonald’s
•Broadway Series
Takács Quartet with Joyce Yang, piano
World-renowned string quartet and acclaimed piano virtuoso
•Tuesday, January 20, 7:30 p.m.
•$25-$40 Adult, $14-$21 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Dave & Gunda Hiebert
•Concert Series
Prairie Winds Festival with special guest Jason Treuting, percussion
•Saturday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.
•$25 Adult, $14 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Cherry Hill Properties
•Jayhawk Live Series
Kings Return
A cappella quartet with exquisitely smooth harmonies and diverse repertoire
•Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m.
•$25-$35 Adult, $14-$19 Student/Youth
2025 Gold Medalist, Van Cliburn International Piano Competiton
Winner to be announced following the prestigious competition
•Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
•$25-$40 Adult, $14-$21 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Dave & Gunda Hiebert
•Concert Series
Peppa Pig–My First Concert
Join Peppa for a fun and interactive introduction to orchestra music
•Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m.
•$25-$35 Adult, $14-$19 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Hy-Vee
•Family Series
IL DIVO with special guest Simply Three
Multi-platinum vocal group blending classical, opera and pop music
•Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
•$50-$75 Adult, $26-$39 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Jeff & Mary Weinberg/Jedel Family Foundation
Stephane Wrembel Ensemble
•Monday & Tuesday, March 23 & 24, 7:30 p.m.
•$35 Adult, $19 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Creative Planning/Steve & Chris Edmonds
•Just Friends Jazz Series
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
One of the most innovative and powerful forces in modern dance
•Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
•$25-$40 Adult, $14-$21 Student/Youth
KU Jazz Ensemble I with special guest Ingrid Jensen, trumpet
Directed by Dan Gailey
•Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.
•$25 Adult, $14 Student/Youth
•Jayhawk Live Series
Oliver Moore, piano
Accomplished and versatile pianist
•Sunday, April 12, 2:00 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student
•Sponsored by Dave & Gunda Hiebert
•Chamber Music Series
Renée Fleming’s Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene
5x Grammy Award-winning soprano
•Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
•$40-$60 Adult, $21-$31 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Jeff & Mary Weinberg/Jedel Family Foundation
•Concert Series
Kinky Boots
Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled musical
•Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
•$45-$65 Adult, $24-$34 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by SSC CPAs + Advisors
•Broadway Series
John Gorka
Preeminent singer-songwriter
•Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
•$30 Adult, $16 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Landmark National Bank
•Folk Series
CHICAGO The Musical
The longest-running American musical in Broadway history
•Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
•$45-$65 Adult, $24-$34 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
•Broadway Series
360 ALLSTARS
A phenomenal physical performance celebrating street culture
•Monday, May 4, 7:00 p.m.
•$20-$30 Adult, $11-$16 Student/Youth
•Sponsored by MIDCO
•Family Series