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Four provocative productions that place Miami audiences at the center of stories about power, identity and truth! The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to announce the lineup for the 2026-27 season of its award-winning Theater Up Close series, created in collaboration with local theater company Zoetic Stage. This season’s lineup features God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, The Inheritance, Part Two by Matthew Lopez, Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, and John Proctor Is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower- four bold and beloved works that tackle today’s most urgent social conversations with humor and heart.
Four-show subscription packages are available now starting at the early bird rate of $175* until May 11. Starting May 12, packages start at $195*. Subscriptions can be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at ArshtCenter.org. Tickets for individual performances will be announced at a later date
For guests with accessibility needs, the Arsht provides accessible seating and complimentary assistive listening devices for all performances, along with sign language interpretation, open captioning, and audio description at select shows to ensure an inclusive experience for all guests.
“This season of Theater Up Close is full of thought-provoking, fearless storytelling by one of South Florida’s best theater companies,” said Liz Wallace, vice president of programming at the Arsht. “Theater Up Close has become synonymous with some of the region’s best productions, and we are excited for Miami audiences to experience the magic of live theater with these critically-acclaimed works.”
“We are thrilled to be returning as part of the Theatre Up Close Series,” said Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. “Zoetic’s 17th anniversary season is a fantastic collection of stories celebrating humanity in times of change, reinforcing the simple powers of connection, imagination and love as the guiding principles for a bountiful future. In true Zoetic Stage style, we will explore the endless possibilities of storytelling with a treasure trove of ‘magic to do’!”
The lineup for the 2026-27 Theater Up Close series is as follows:
Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center present GOD OF CARNAGE By Yasmina Reza (Translated by Christopher Hampton), Directed by Stuart Meltzer on November 5-22, 2026. The Guardian calls it a “Deliciously savage satire.”
Described as a “comedy of manners…without the manners,” this Broadway hit examines the fragile veneer of civility in American society. The play centers on two sets of well-to-do parents who meet in a Brooklyn apartment to discuss a playground altercation between their 11-year-old sons, one of whom hit the other with a stick, knocking out two teeth. What begins as a polite, civilized conversation to resolve the situation quickly devolves into a night of name-calling, physical altercations and alcohol-fueled hysteria. More relevant today than when it was first written, the play holds up a mirror to modern society, dealing with the fragility of social etiquette, political polarization and the constant, distracting nature of modern technology. Cast completely with local actors and designers, Zoetic’s first play of the season promises to be as enlightening as it is entertaining.
Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center present THE INHERITANCE, PART TWO – FLORIDA PREMIERE By Matthew Lopez, Directed by Stuart Meltzer on January 7-24, 2027. “Zoetic Stage’s production leaves a lasting impression, especially in today’s atmosphere.” – Artburst Miami
After the artistic, critical and box office success of last season’s production of The Inheritance Part 1, Zoetic Stage will continue the story that has brought so many communities in the region together. This emotional conclusion to the Tony Award-winning epic drama focuses on the aftermath of the AIDS crisis and the search for legacy among gay men in modern New York. It follows Eric Glass and Toby Darling as they confront self-destruction, addiction and the necessity of healing, resulting in a moving journey of hope and transformation. This production will bring back the multicultural cast from Part 1.
Adrienne Arsht Center and Zoetic Stage present PIPPIN with Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a Book by Roger O. Hirson, Directed by Stuart Meltzer on March 11-April 4, 2027.
Winner of four Tony Awards, Stephen Schwartz’s iconic musical masterpiece follows the young prince Pippin, son of Charlemagne, who journeys to find personal significance, or a “corner of the sky.” Guided by a theatrical Leading Player, he explores war, lust, politics and ultimately love. A glorious journey filled with amazing music from the composer of Wicked.
Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center present JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN By Kimberly Belflower, Directed by Stuart Meltzer on April 29-May 16, 2027. The New York Theater Guide describes it as “An American classic in the making.”
Reimagining Arthur Miller’s The Crucible through the eyes of modern teenage girls during the #MeToo era, the play follows a group of students in rural Georgia as they grapple with their teacher’s assertion that John Proctor is a hero, while simultaneously dealing with local sex scandals that mirror the events in the Miller play. This award-winning Broadway play uses intelligence, humor and contemporary language to make serious points about patriarchy and female agency. Certain performances will feature after-show talk backs focusing on themes introduced in the play, including teacher-student relationships, peer manipulation, religious pressures and the #MeToo movement.
*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. Visit ArshtCenter.org for up-to-date information.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, and the state of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations. The Arsht proudly serves as the cultural pulse of Miami – the heart of magical live arts experiences that spark the imagination and connect people to one another. Whether on our stages or in your neighborhood, the Arsht is alive year-round with international artists, innovative programming fromresident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and more than 100 culturally diverse and impactful learning experiences for 80,000 children every year.
Since opening in 2006 in the heart of downtown, the Arsht, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been recognized as a leader in the city’s cultural transformation, a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development and a host venue for historic events. The 300+ annual Arsht events include a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, star-studded jazz and classical music concerts curated for South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, Family Fest, Gospel Fest Miami, Art + Mind Day, Heritage Fest and our LGBTQ+ Pride celebration are among dozens of free events that bring people from all corners of our community together. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.
Zoetic Stage was founded in 2010 to create fresh, bold interpretations of contemporary plays and musicals, and is dedicated to enhancing South Florida’s national artistic profile by producing regional premieres and developing new works to become part of the American stage repertoire. In 2020, Zoetic Stage was named the Best Theater Company by the Miami New Times. The theater has been nominated for an impressive 160 Carbonell Awards (of which 15 were for Best Production of the Year) and won 46, including six for Best New Work and four for Best Production of a Play or Musical. Zoetic Stage productions have received 48 Silver Palm Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Zoetic Stage is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network, a member of Theatre Communications Group and the South Florida Theater League. Visit www.zoeticstage.org for more information.
