HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Historic Hutchinson Fox Theatre is preparing for its 2026-27 live season, featuring eight shows ranging from classic rock tributes and Broadway performers to acrobats and a special appearance by the star of “A Christmas Story.”
Fox Theatre Executive Director Josh Davies said the season opens Oct. 9 with Revisiting Creedence, featuring the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
“We have a really exciting lineup this year once again,” Davies said. “We’re really excited to open everything up on Oct. 9 with Revisiting Creedence.”
The group features Dan McGinnis and Kurt Griffey, who were members of Creedence Revisited, and will perform hits including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Fortunate Son.” Davies said the connections to Creedence make the show about as close as fans can get to experiencing the original band.
The Carpenters Songbook follows Nov. 13. Davies described it as a new stage production that combines the music of The Carpenters with the story of how Karen and Richard Carpenter grew up and became a musical duo.
The Fox will then bring a different type of event to Hutchinson on Nov. 28 with “An Evening with Peter Billingsley and A Christmas Story.”
Billingsley, who played Ralphie in the 1983 holiday film, will appear following a screening of the movie for a question-and-answer session with the audience. A separate meet-and-greet ticket will also be available for fans wanting a photo and autograph.
“We’re the State Movie Palace of Kansas, and we have a great lineup of movies,” Davies said. “So I thought it was time to bring maybe a movie star to Hutchinson and kind of accompany a film.”
The season resumes Jan. 29 with Gravity, featuring three performers who have appeared in leading roles in “Wicked” on Broadway and London’s West End. Davies said the concert will include music from “Wicked” along with songs from several other genres.
The Jan. 29 performance also falls on the anniversary of the Fox Theatre’s reopening.
The Peking Acrobats return to the Fox on Feb. 13. Davies said the group has previously performed in Hutchinson, but has not appeared at the theater in roughly 15 years.
“They put on a spectacular show,” Davies said. “It’s amazing feats of acrobatics, things that you just don’t normally see on a stage.”
Blessid Union of Souls will perform March 12. The 1990s pop-rock band is known for songs including “I Believe,” “Hey Leonardo” and “Let Me Be the One.”
Celebrating Meat Loaf: BAT 50 comes to the Fox on April 9. The show features Meat Loaf’s longtime band, Neverland Express, with Andrew Pole portraying Meat Loaf. Davies said Pole performed the role in the “Bat Out of Hell” musical and was selected by Meat Loaf to perform with the group.
The live season concludes April 24 with ForJoury, a tribute to the music of Foreigner and Journey. The performers are the same group that brought The Brothers Doobie show to Hutchinson last season.
Davies said audience reaction to a preview of the Foreigner and Journey show helped convince the Fox to bring the band back.
Season tickets remain available and include admission to all eight live season performances at a 20% savings compared with individual tickets. Individual show tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m.
Tickets may be purchased at the Fox box office, 18 E. First Ave., by calling 620-663-1981 or through the theater’s official website.
Davies encouraged customers purchasing online to begin at HutchinsonFox.com to avoid third-party ticket resellers that may charge significantly higher prices.
“Always start with HutchinsonFox.com,” Davies said. “If you’re not sure, give us a call.”