Exploring Social Issues Through Theater: Geffen Playhouse's 2026-27 Season Lineup
The Geffen Playhouse is set to kick off its 2026-27 season with the L.A. premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ acclaimed play “Purpose,” featuring the original Broadway cast. Artistic director Tarell Alvin McCraney has been eager to bring this dramatic satire about a Chicago Black political dynasty to L.A. since seeing it at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre. The upcoming season will also include the West Coast premiere of Bess Wohl’s “Liberation,” Ngozi Anyanwu’s “The Monsters,” and Grace McLeod’s real estate comedy “Closing Costs.” Rounding out the season is a production of Alice Childress’ “Wine in the Wilderness,” directed by Broadway icon LaChanze Sapp-Gooding. McCraney aims to engage audiences in thought-provoking discussions through a mix of new plays, classics, and contemporary hits.
McCraney’s selection of plays for the season reflects his desire to address current political and social issues in a way that is both engaging and hopeful. He intentionally chose productions that tackle serious themes without being didactic, aiming to create a space for audiences to explore and discuss pressing issues in a meaningful and unexpected way. The Geffen’s season structure includes a mix of new works, classics, and contemporary hits to provide audiences with a diverse and enriching theater experience.
One of the highlights of the upcoming season is “Closing Costs,” a witty and insightful play that delves into the absurdities of L.A.’s real estate market while offering a commentary on the sociopolitical forces at play. McCraney sees the humor in the play as a way to cope with the challenges of homeownership in a city where housing prices are soaring. By featuring plays like “Closing Costs” that resonate with Angelenos, McCraney hopes to create a theater experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Since taking on the role of artistic director at the Geffen in 2023, McCraney has been committed to showcasing timely and relevant stage productions that resonate with L.A. audiences. He has embraced the unpredictability of audience preferences and focused on selecting scripts that resonate with his own instincts and emotions. In addition to its show programming, the Geffen will offer audience-facing workshops this season to engage diverse age groups and demographics in the theater experience.
The Geffen Playhouse’s 2026-27 season promises to be a thought-provoking and entertaining lineup of plays that tackle pressing social and political issues in innovative and engaging ways. With a mix of new works, classics, and contemporary hits, the season aims to provide audiences with a diverse and enriching theater experience that sparks meaningful conversations and connections within the community.