Title: 41st Annual Zenon Thakkar Awards

Dates: October 17, 2026

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Tables $15, Auditorium Seats $10

Times: 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Description: Time after time, Highlands Lakeside Theatre volunteers come together to create unforgettable productions—and now it’s time to celebrate! The 41st Annual Zenon Thakkar Awards is HLT’s gala celebration of the preceding season and the talented volunteers who made it all happen.

Throughout the evening, awards for artistic and technical achievement, volunteerism, and special events will be presented alongside entertainment by some of the season’s performers. We’ll also recognize the recipient of the Janelou Buck Significant Achievement Award before counting down to the evening’s final honor: Best Show of the Year, selected by HLT’s full-season subscribers.

The celebration will include a special sneak peek at our next season’s opening production, Little Shop of Horrors. It’s our time to look back on everything we accomplished—individually and together—and look forward to another exciting season at HLT.

Cocktail attire is encouraged.

All seating is General Admission, with no assigned or reserved seats. Table seating is available for an additional $5 per ticket and is also first come, first served.

Credits:  Sponsors: Zenon and Marilyn Hansen Foundation and the Thakkar Family Foundation. Directed by Tracy Schuknecht and Dawn Smith.

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.

Title: Little Shop of Horrors

Dates: November 6-22, 2026

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $30 Adult. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice. Additional fees apply.

Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm

Description: Get ready for big laughs, unforgettable songs, and one very hungry plant! Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour, a shy flower-shop assistant whose life changes when he discovers a strange and fascinating plant. As the plant attracts attention, Seymour finally finds the success, and the chance at love, he has always dreamed of. There’s just one problem: keeping his newfound fame means satisfying the plant’s increasingly dangerous appetite.

Blending catchy, Motown-inspired music with outrageous comedy, romance, and a deliciously dark twist, Little Shop of Horrors is a fast-paced theatrical favorite that proves getting everything you want may come at a price.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including announcements and one intermission.

Content Advisory: Recommended for 10 and up due to some mature content and depictions of violence.

Credits:  Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics and book by Howard Ashman. 

Show Sponsored by John Palmer Electric

Title: Head of the Family

Dates: January 22 – February. 7, 2027

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $30 Adult. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice. Additional fees apply.

Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm

Description: When a brother and sister gather to clean out their late father’s house, an unexpected discovery turns an already emotional task into a strange and darkly funny mystery. With no clear answers, speculation runs wild, long-held family dynamics rise to the surface, and their father’s fascination with Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass takes on curious new significance.

Developed from an award-winning one-act competition piece, this sharp, offbeat comedy by HLT’s resident playwright blends absurd circumstances, surprising secrets, and a perceptive look at the complicated bond between adult siblings. The less you know going in, the more fun the mystery will be!

Run Time: Approximately

Content Advisory: Adult humor, language, and absurd or dark comedic themes.

Credits:  Written by Laura Byron Wade

Title: Between the Lines

Dates: March 26 – April 11, 2027

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $30 Adult. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice. Additional fees apply.

Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm

Description: When real life feels overwhelming, teenager Delilah finds comfort in the pages of her favorite fairy tale. But what begins as an escape from everyday challenges takes an extraordinary turn when she discovers that the characters inside the book may be more real than she ever imagined—and that the handsome prince at the center of the story longs to escape his own carefully written fate.

Based on the beloved novel of the same name by bestselling author Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer, Between the Lines is a heartfelt and imaginative musical adventure about finding your voice, rewriting your story, and discovering where you truly belong. Filled with humor, romance, and a little storybook magic, it reminds us that sometimes the path to a happy ending begins by stepping beyond the boundaries others have written for us.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes with announcements and intermission.

Content Advisory: Themes of identity, belonging, and family conflict.

Credits: Music and Lyrics by Kate Anderson & Elyssa Samsel.  Book by Jodi Picoult & Timothy Allen McDonald

Show Sponsored by Highlands News Sun

Title: Come From Away

Dates: June 4-20, 2027

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $30 Adult. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice. Additional fees apply.

Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm

Description: Come From Away runs approximately 90 minutes and is performed without an intermission.  There will be fun, fellowship, meet and greet, photo ops, merchandise, and more after the show in Anthony’s Lounge for approximately 30 minutes.

This Tony Award-winning musical shares the remarkable true story of ~7,000 airline passengers grounded in the wake of 9/11 and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Told with music, humor, and heart, it highlights the relationships formed when spirited locals and global passengers come together to embrace empathy, generosity, and shared humanity. Warm, funny, and deeply uplifting, Come From Away reminds us that community isn’t just where you’re from; it’s what you build together. 

It’s not the story of 9/11. It’s the story of 9/12—when strangers became family.

Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes, not including announcements, with no intermission.

Content Advisory:  If it were a movie, Come From Away would be rated “PG-13″.  Mild profanity, adult themes, and references to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Credits:  Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein

Show Sponsored by Square 1 Shooting Range & Carter Aircraft

Title: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical

Dates: August 13-29, 2027

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $30 Adult. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice. Additional fees apply.

Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm

Description: Before she became the legendary Carole King, she was a determined teenage songwriter from Brooklyn with a gift for creating unforgettable music. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of her remarkable journey—from writing chart-topping songs for some of the biggest voices in popular music to finding the courage to step into the spotlight herself and become a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon.

Along the way, Carole navigates friendship, love, heartbreak, and the challenges of building a life and career on her own terms. Her story comes alive through beloved classics including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

Joyful, moving, and filled with the music of a generation, Beautiful is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and one extraordinary woman who found her own voice. Don’t miss this musical phenomenon featuring the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including announcements and intermission.

Content Advisory: Suitable for most theatergoers over the age of 13. Contains adult themes including sexual references, depression/bipolar disorder or similar, an instance of underage pregnancy, mention of drugs, infidelity, and mild language.

Credits:  Words and Music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Book by Douglas McGrath. Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing. 

Show Sponsored by Highlands Radio Group

Title: Plaid Tidings

Dates: December 11, 2026

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $15 Adult, $10 Youth. Additional fees may apply.

Times: 7:30 pm

Description: Celebrate the season with the Plaid Tidings Holiday Concert! Enjoy an enchanting evening of holiday cheer featuring talented singers performing a blend of classic and contemporary holiday songs. This year, we’re featuring Ever After Characters, including the Ice Queen, Sister Princess, and Friends from Norway.

Be sure to visit the Hot Cocoa Bar for a cozy treat! A suggested donation of $2 benefits the HLT Scholarship Fund, helping students pursue opportunities in the performing arts.

Discover delightful surprises that will make your holiday spirits bright. This festive event promises warmth, joy, and music to remember—and sells out every year. Don’t miss out—buy your tickets now!

This event will allow children of all ages.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including announcements and one intermission.

Credits:  Rachel, Larry & Lyric Moore, Moore Performing Arts

Produced in partnership with Highlands Lakeside Theatre and Moore Performing Arts. 

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.

Title: Five Live Concert 2027

Dates: May 22, 2027

Venue: Lakeside Playhouse

Tickets: Start at $20 Adult, $15 Youth. Upgrade to a Table Seat for only $5 more. Limited seats available.

Times: 7:30 pm

Description: Join us for “5 Live in Concert,” a night of live music on the Highlands Lakeside Theatre Blackman stage, and help keep local arts thriving. Your ticket supports our work to offer outstanding entertainment and a welcoming home for artists and audiences.  Seating is general admission.  Anthony’s Lounge opens 1 hour prior to the show.  Come enjoy a drink, listen to great music, and dance the night away. 

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours including announcements and one intermission.

Produced in partnership with Gary Johnson Entertainment

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.

Title: Angie & Gary 2027

Dates: February 27, 2027

Venue: Thakkar Family Theatre

Tickets: Start at $20 Adult, $15 Youth. Upgrade to a Table Seat for only $5 more. Limited seats available.

Times: 7:30 pm

Description: Experience “Angie & Gary” live in concert on the McCollum Stage in the Thakkar Foundation Theatre. Enjoy an evening of harmonies, fellowship, and beautiful music.  

General admission seating for all tickets.  Anthony’s Lounge opens 1 hour prior to the show.  Come join us for a drink and great live music.

Your ticket supports Highlands Lakeside Theatre’s work to offer outstanding entertainment and a welcoming home for the arts in our community.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours including announcements and one intermission.

Produced in partnership with Gary Johnson Entertainment

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.

Title: Princess Tales & Treats

Dates: February 20, 2027

Tickets: $20

Times: 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. 

Description: OK kids it’s time to invite your parents and grandparents to a princess event you don’t want to miss. Highlands Lakeside Theatre is partnering with Ever After Characters to bring you Tales and Treats hosted by the Fairy Godmother. There will be lemonade, treats, and stories read in English and Spanish by Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Mirabel. There will also be a guest prince and princess from the upcoming Highlands Lakeside Theatre production of Between The Lines. Come photo-ready so you can take your selfies with your favorite magical characters. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event with a run time of 1 hour. 

Disclaimer: It is not the intention of Moore Performing Arts, Inc.’s Ever After Characters to offer any copyrighted or trademarked characters. Our characters are not intended to represent any corporate–owned entities, and are not represented or marketed as such. We provide look- alike characters only.

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.

Title: Cocoa & Characters

Dates: December 12, 2026

Venue: Thakkar Family Theatre

Tickets: $10

Times: 10 AM, 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM

Description: The Christmas magic continues!  Join us for a cozy meet-and-greet with the Ever After Characters featured in the 2026 Plaid Tidings Holiday Concert (Ice Queen, Sister Princess, and their enchanting friends from Norway.)  Enjoy a delicious cup of cocoa, take photos, share some Christmas cheer, and make magical memories!  It’s the perfect way to keep the Christmas spirit going. Parents must remain with their children. Tickets required for all attendees, adults and children. 

Produced in partnership with Moore Performing Arts

Proceeds benefit the HLT Scholarship Fund. 

Disclaimer: It is not the intention of Moore Performing Arts, Inc.’s Ever After Characters to offer any copyrighted or trademarked characters. Our characters are not intended to represent any corporate–owned entities, and are not represented or marketed as such. We provide look- alike characters only.

The theater uses Zeffy because it allows HLT to keep 100% of your payment. During checkout, Zeffy will ask if you’d like to support their platform. That donation is optional. If you’d rather not contribute to Zeffy, simply select ‘Other’ and enter $0. Your payment to Highlands Lakeside Theatre will still be processed in full.