Kansas State University’s McCain Performance Series returns in September with a full lineup of iconic musicians, fabulous Broadway musicals, dazzling entertainers and much more. Season tickets — a discounted package of seven or more shows — will go on sale Monday, June 2.
The 2025-2026 series features a lineup of Broadway hits, including “Hadestown,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical.” It also showcases acclaimed jazz superstar Béla Fleck; country music artist Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives; and rock giants Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls and Ben Folds. Additionally, Classic Albums Live will perform Fleetwood Mac’s iconic album “Rumours.” Thrilling shows for the whole family, such as iLuminate, “Elmo and Friends Say Hello,” and 360 ALLSTARS, are also highlights of the series.
The season brings back several popular attractions, including Straight No Chaser with their “Holiday Road” tour, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Drum Tao and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Renowned actor Richard Thomas will take the stage, reprising Hal Holbrook’s solo role in “Mark Twain Tonight!” Television’s favorite glee club coach, Matthew Morrison, along with London’s West End’s Barricade Boys, will have Broadway fans dancing in the aisles.
Celtic music enthusiasts will enjoy the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, known for their arena bagpipe rock, and a special holiday evening with Celtic Woman, accompanied by the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra under the direction of K-State’s Rachel Dirks. The Choir of Man will perform on the McCain stage following their captivating live-streamed performance from a London pub during the pandemic in 2021. Dance fans can look forward to artistic performances from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, one of the most significant and influential modern dance groups of the past 50 years.
Two inspiring solo performances will take place in Manhattan for the first time. Blending art, science and technology, writer, solo actor and former astrophysics student Heather Massie will showcase her play, “HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr,” where she voices 36 different characters. Noted Italian acoustic guitarist Luca Stricagnoli will display his innovative instruments and unique playing style, including his viral triple-neck guitar. Luca will perform two shows at McCain’s intimate performance space on the second floor, The Loft.
Season tickets will be on sale June 2 with discounts from 10-20% for those who subscribe to seven or more events. Single tickets for most shows will be available July 21 for online sales and July 23 for in-person and phone sales. As we are the only authorized ticket-selling outlet for our shows, we cannot accept counterfeit or invalid tickets from third-party websites, whether it’s honoring, refunding, replacing or exchanging them.
If you were a Friend of McCain in the 2024– 2025 season, a season brochure has been mailed to the address on file. A season brochure is available for download at mccain.k-state.edu, or call the box office at 785-532-6428 to request a mailed brochure. Please direct any questions regarding season tickets to mccain@k-state.edu.
The following shows are part of the 2025-2026 McCain Performance Series, with all events in McCain Auditorium.
- “Ben Folds & A Piano Tour,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9
- Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18
- Béla Fleck, Antonio Sanchez, Edmar Castañeda Trio, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
- Richard Thomas in “Mark Twain Tonight!,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
- Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls: “Yes We Are Tour,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7
- “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13
- “iLuminate,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16
- Matthew Morrison: “Rhythms & Revelations,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21
- “Elmo and Friends Say Hello,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
- Straight No Chaser: “Holiday Road,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
- Soweto Gospel Choir – “Peace,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
- The Barricade Boys: “Broadway Party,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20
- Celtic Woman: “Symphony Christmas Tour” 2025, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5
- “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
- “Hadestown,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan.15, 2026
- The Choir of Man, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan.18, 2026
- Classic Albums Live Performs Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan.30, 2026
- “Hedy! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
- Drum Tao, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Red Hot Chilli Pipers, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026
- 360 ALLSTARS, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2026
- Luca Stricagnoli, Guitar, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026
