January Theater Lineup: Murder, Mayhem and Shakespearean Spoofs

Key Takeaways

• Local theaters in Lancaster are offering a variety of plays and musicals in January 2026, including "Clue the Musical," "Every Brilliant Thing," and "Hadestown: Teen Edition."
• College theater productions, such as "Something Rotten!" at Franklin & Marshall College, are also taking place in January.
• Family-friendly shows, including "Dear Edwina Jr.," are being performed at Smoketown Elementary School.
• A dance concert, the Trust Dance Festival, will be held at the Trust Performing Arts Center on January 24.

Introduction to Local Theater Productions
Area theaters are kicking off 2026 with a few plays and musicals that all ages can come in out of the cold to enjoy. From a musical murder mystery to a mythological odyssey and a one-man show about the uplifting elements of life, there’s something for everyone on local theater stages during the month of January. The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Fulton Theatre, and Smoketown Elementary School are just a few of the venues hosting these productions.

"Clue the Musical" at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is presenting "Clue the Musical," a musical murder mystery based on the popular board game of "Clue." Audience members will participate in trying to solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Boddy in his mansion. With 216 different possible combinations of weapon, suspect, and room, there’s potentially a different ending to the show at every performance. The show will run from January 9 to February 7, with a mix of afternoon and evening performances. Admission prices range from $32 to $78, with a $3 service charge per ticket.

"Every Brilliant Thing" at Fulton Theatre
The Fulton Theatre is hosting "Every Brilliant Thing," a one-man show that includes audience participation. The show finds a young man in England making up a list of the wonderful things in life as a way to help bring his mother out of her depression. The list takes on a life of its own as the man enters other phases of his life. Andrew Kindig, who starred in this show at Gretna Theatre in 2024, reprises his role in this production. The show will run from January 16 to February 1, with afternoon and evening performances. Admission is $67.

"Hadestown: Teen Edition" at Smoketown Elementary School
Smoketown Elementary School is hosting "Hadestown: Teen Edition," a main-stage musical for Servant Stage. The show features performers ages 13 through 19 and is a contemporary retelling of the Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, using folk music and New Orleans-style jazz. Brandon Cameron, who has performed with several Lancaster theaters and is the understudy for Orpheus in "Hadestown" on Broadway, is a guest director and choreographer for this production. The show will run on Fridays, January 30 and February 6, and Saturdays, January 31 and February 7. Admission is pay what you will, with tickets reserved in advance.

College Theater Productions
Franklin & Marshall College is presenting "Something Rotten!," a comedic musical about two brothers trying to make it big in the Renaissance theater scene. The show features theater references galore and will run from January 15 to 17, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Admission prices range from $5 to $10.

Family-Friendly Shows
Smoketown Elementary School is also hosting "Dear Edwina Jr.," a show that finds Edwina Spoonapple and her friends putting on a backyard "Advice-a-Palooza" show. The musical shares lessons on friendship, kindness, and confidence through humor, catchy songs, and clever skits. The show is the culmination of a Servant Stage camp for ages 10-16 and will run on January 23 to 25. Admission is pay what you will, with donations helping to support Servant Stage’s Youth Theater program.

Dance Concerts
The Trust Performing Arts Center is hosting the Trust Dance Festival, a concert of dance works performed by professional and pre-professional dance groups and freelance dance artists. The festival will take place on January 24, with performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission prices range from $20.25 to $26.25, including fees.

Conclusion
In conclusion, local theaters in Lancaster are offering a wide range of productions in January 2026, from musical murder mysteries to mythological odysseys and one-man shows. With something for everyone, audiences of all ages can come in out of the cold to enjoy these exciting productions. Whether you’re interested in college theater, family-friendly shows, or dance concerts, there’s something on the schedule that’s sure to delight.