San Jose Center for Performing Arts

Covering The San Francisco Bay Area & Sacramento Valley Since 2001

SJ Cntr for the Performing Arts • 255 S Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113

Plays • Musicals • Opera • Dance

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Playing This Month

• DEC 30 - JAN 4, 2026 •

A Beautiful Noise / Musical

For Tickets & Info:

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is a musical production built around the life and music of Neil Diamond, classified as a jukebox musical. It uses a clever framing device in which an older version of Diamond sits in therapy and flips through his lyrics and memories, giving us a springboard into his youthful days as a Brooklyn kid with a guitar, his breakthrough, his struggles in the music industry, his relationships and how he became a global superstar. The staging snaps between evocative flash-backs and high-energy concert moments, with many of his greatest songs woven into the narrative so that you feel both the rhythm of his hits and the heartbeat of his journey. Along the way you see his early vulnerabilities, the rewards and cost of fame, the creative spark and the personal cost, all while the ensemble and cast swing through pop-rock, folk and show-tune stylings. The result is an entertaining, emotionally charged evening of theatre that invites you to sing along and lean into one man’s American dream as told through the lyrics that defined him.

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Coming Soon

• OPENS JAN 27, 2026 • The Wiz / Musical The Wiz is a vibrant stage musical that reimagines the classic tale of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz through a soulful blend of rock, gospel, and R&B set-against the backdrop of African-American culture. When young Dorothy finds herself swept far from home by a tornado, she lands in the dazzling and mysterious Land of Oz where nothing is quite what it seems. Joined by a reluctant Scarecrow longing for brains, a Tin Man who yearns to feel, and a Lion in need of courage, she sets off along a glittering Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City and the enigmatic Wiz. Along the way, they encounter whimsical Munchkins, a city of bold characters, and a power-hungry witch whose ambitions cast a shadow over their journey. Filled with flamboyant costumes, exhilarating choreography, and soaring voices, the story pulses with joy and heart; at its core it asks what it really means to believe in yourself and to find your true place in the world.
• OPENS MAR 6, 2026 • The Book of Mormon / Musical The Book of Mormon is a bold and wildly irreverent musical that follows two young missionaries who are sent far from the comfort of their hometowns and tossed into a world that challenges every expectation they carry. Created by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, the show blends sharp satire with big Broadway energy, pairing upbeat songs with a story that moves quickly and confidently. The plot centers on the duo’s attempt to share their faith while navigating a place filled with unfamiliar customs, surprising personalities, and situations they were definitely not prepped for in training. Their journey becomes a mix of optimism, culture shock, and unexpected hope as they try to make a meaningful difference without fully understanding what they have walked into. The musical uses humor, heart, and clever storytelling to explore themes of belief, identity, and the way people cling to dreams when life throws curveballs. Its charm comes from how honestly it treats its characters and how joyfully it leans into the chaos they face. The result is an energetic and inviting experience that hooks the audience with its catchy music and fearless sense of fun while keeping the adventure wide open for discovery.
• OPENS MAR 31, 2026 • Beetlejuice / Musical Beetlejuice the Musical spins a wild and wickedly funny tale that blends supernatural mischief with heartfelt moments, creating a musical that feels both rebellious and surprisingly warm. Based on the beloved cult film, the show dives into the chaotic world of Lydia Deetz, a sharp and curious teenager who feels more connected to the dead than the living, and her accidental partnership with Beetlejuice, a fast talking trickster with a taste for trouble. As Lydia navigates grief, family changes, and her search for meaning, she stumbles into a hidden realm filled with oddball ghosts, eccentric surprises, and a strange charm that pulls her deeper into Beetlejuice’s unpredictable orbit. The musical mixes high energy comedy with bold visual spectacle, using clever songs, eccentric characters, and rapid fire humor to build a world where nothing stays normal for long. The result is a genre bending musical that balances big laughs with an emotional undercurrent, drawing the audience into a story about belonging, identity, and the unexpected friendships that shape us. It is spooky, funny, and full of personality, inviting viewers into a theatrical ride that never stops moving and never forgets to have fun.
• OPENS MAPR 29, 2026 • Les Miserables / Musical Les Misérables is a sweeping stage musical set in early-19th-century France that follows the troubled journey of Jean Valjean, a man once imprisoned for stealing bread, who emerges into a society that refuses to let him forget his past. After an act of unexpected mercy offers him a chance at redemption, Valjean reinvents himself, takes in a vulnerable young woman, and strives to live a life of quiet dignity and purpose—while being relentlessly hunted by the rigid Inspector Javert. Along the way the show weaves in the stories of lonely sacrifice, unfulfilled love, and the fervent uprising of idealistic young revolutionaries rising in the streets of Paris. Rich in soulful and stirring music, the production explores questions of justice, mercy, identity and hope, all against a backdrop of poverty, political unrest and human longing. It invites audiences into a world where one person’s decision can ripple outward to change many lives, and where the triumph over internal and external oppression has emotional force that lingers.
• OPENS JUN 2, 2026 • Back to the Future / Musical Back to the Future The Musical revs up a high-energy blast of sci-fi adventure, rock rhythms, and heartfelt comedy as it transforms the beloved story into a full-scale stage musical. Set in 1985 in the quirky town of Hill Valley, the show follows Marty McFly, a quick-witted teenager who gets hurled back to 1955 after a late-night experiment with his eccentric inventor friend, Doc Brown, goes off the rails. Once he lands in the past, Marty discovers that every small move he makes can bend his future out of shape, so he has to navigate the unfamiliar world of his parents’ youth, keep his identity under wraps, and figure out how to return home without disrupting the delicate chain of events that leads to his own existence. The production mixes sharp humor, clever staging, a flying DeLorean, and a soundtrack that blends original songs with iconic hits, creating a nostalgic experience that never stops moving. It invites audiences into a story filled with curiosity, tension, and excitement, offering a lively musical journey that celebrates friendship, courage, and the strange way one moment can change everything.
• OPENS JUL 23, 2026 • The Sound of Music / Musical The Sound of Music, a beloved musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, follows the uplifting journey of Maria, a spirited young woman whose bright energy does not quite fit the strict routine of the abbey where she trains. Sent to serve as a governess for the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp, a widowed and disciplined naval officer, she steps into a household shaped by silence and rigid order. Maria brings music back into their lives with simple songs, laughter, and a warmth the children have not felt in years. As she tries to navigate the captain’s stern expectations, she discovers that the power of kindness can shift even the most guarded heart. The musical blends sweeping scenery, charming family moments, and melodies that feel like old friends. Set against the backdrop of a changing world, the story draws the audience into a place where courage grows quietly and love finds its own voice. Every scene nudges you closer to the characters, inviting you to root for them as their lives transform in ways they never expected.