Title: RENT
Dates: August 21 – September 6, 2026
Venue: Lakeside Playhouse
Tickets: Start at $25 Adult, $15 Youth. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice
Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm
Description: Bold, raw, and unforgettable, Rent is a groundbreaking rock musical that follows a year in the lives of a group of young artists and friends struggling to survive and create in New York City’s East Village during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, this Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is a powerful exploration of love, loss, identity, and community. With iconic songs like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” and “Take Me or Leave Me,” Rent has become a cultural touchstone for a generation.
This production captures the urgency and hope of a group of voices that refuse to be silenced, living fully and loudly in the face of adversity.
Run Time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including opening announcements and intermission.
Content Advisory: Contains mature themes, strong language, drug references, and sexual content. Recommended for mature audiences.
Credits: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Special Offer: reserve seats on Opening night and enjoy the FirstNighters celebration! Includes a walk on the red carpet, happy hour in the lounge, light refreshments, and more.
Title: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Dates: June 5 – 21, 2026
Venue: Lakeside Playhouse
Tickets: Start at $25 Adult, $15 Youth. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice
Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm
Description: Let the spelling and the hilarity begin! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced, riotously funny musical that follows six awkward and endearing middle schoolers as they compete for the coveted title of spelling champion. Guided by a collection of equally quirky adults, the contestants share their hopes, fears, and stories through catchy songs and heartfelt moments that go far beyond the dictionary.
With improvisation, audience participation, and unexpected twists, this Tony Award-winning musical is a delightful celebration of youth, individuality, and the pressure to prove yourself, one word at a time.
Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes, including opening announcements.
Content Advisory: Includes some mature humor and themes. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Credits: Music and Lyrics by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Additional Material by Jay Reiss.
Special Offer: reserve seats on Opening night and enjoy the FirstNighters celebration! Includes a walk on the red carpet, happy hour in the lounge, light refreshments, and more.
Title: The Last Five Years
Dates: March 27 – April 12, 2026
Venue: Lakeside Playhouse
Tickets: Start at $25 Adult, $15 Youth. Group rates 15+ tickets with advance notice
Times: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm. Sunday 2:30 pm
Description: An emotionally powerful and intimate musical, The Last Five Years tells the story of a five-year relationship between Jamie, a rising novelist, and Cathy, a struggling actress—told from two distinct timelines. Cathy’s journey begins at the end of the relationship and moves backward, while Jamie’s starts at the beginning and moves forward. Their stories intersect only once, in the middle, on their wedding day.
With an unforgettable score that blends contemporary musical theatre with pop and jazz influences, Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown crafts a deeply personal look at love, ambition, and the passage of time.
Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including opening announcements.
Content Advisory: Contains mature themes and some strong language. Best suited for teen and adult audiences.
Credits: Music, Lyrics, and Book by Jason Robert Brown
Special Offers: reserve seats on Opening night and enjoy the FirstNighters celebration! Includes a walk on the red carpet, happy hour in the lounge, light refreshments, and more.
Title: Double Play: One stage, Two Stories
Dates: February 27, 2026
Venue: Thakkar Theatre
Tickets: Start at $25
Times: 7:30 pm
Description: A Showcase of New Works. Join us for a special one-night showcase celebrating original storytelling, emerging talent, and the power of live theatre, while supporting our journey to competition.
Act One: Still Life Blue
Written by Laura Byron Wade, Still Life Blue is Highlands Lakeside Theatre’s newest competition piece, created to showcase two of our young performers in a moving and intimate story of friendship, memory, and growing up. This performance serves as a preview before the production travels to Chattanooga in early March to represent Florida at the Southeastern Theatre Conference Community Theatre Festival.
Act Two: Down Center Theatrics Adult Acting Class Performance
The evening continues with a performance by participants in the Down Center Theatrics adult acting class. This presentation highlights the work developed in class, offering audiences a glimpse into the creative process and the talent being nurtured through HLT’s education programs.
All proceeds from this showcase directly support travel, registration, and production expenses for our competition team as they head to Chattanooga. By attending, you are helping our artists take the stage on a regional platform and proudly represent our community.