Birmingham’s Virginia Samford Theatre Launches Centennial Season, Celebrating 100 Years of Storytelling

Special to The Times

Virginia Samford Theatre is celebrating a remarkable milestone as it launches its 2026-2027 Centennial Season this month, marking 100 years of storytelling, artistic excellence and community impact in Birmingham. The historic season will feature a dynamic lineup of musicals, dramas and special events, beginning Sept. 17 with the world premiere of Growing Up With Atticus.

For a century, Virginia Samford Theatre has brought powerful stories to life on stage, serving as a cultural cornerstone for Birmingham and helping generations of artists and audiences experience the transformative power of live theatre. The centennial season honors that legacy while looking confidently toward the future.

“Reaching our 100th season is a moment of tremendous pride for everyone who has been part of Virginia Samford Theatre’s story,” said Philip Mann, executive director of Virginia Samford Theatre. “For a century, the theatre has been a place where artists, audiences and our community come together through the power of storytelling. This season celebrates where we’ve been, while also embracing the bold, creative future that lies ahead.”

The season opens with the world premiere of Growing Up With Atticus showing Sept. 17-27. This is a new theatrical experience created by and starring Mary Badham, who portrayed Scout Finch in the Academy Award-winning film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Cecilia Peck, daughter of Gregory Peck, the Academy Award-winning actor whose portrayal of Atticus Finch became one of the most iconic performances in American film history.

The production explores the legacy of Atticus Finch and the enduring relevance of the values at the heart of Harper Lee’s beloved story. Through personal reflections, film clips and live conversation, Badham and Peck will examine how storytelling can inspire empathy, understanding and social change.

“As we considered how to launch our centennial season, we wanted to begin with a production that reflects the very heart of what theatre does,” said Sam Torres, director of marketing and communications at Virginia Samford Theatre. “Growing Up With Atticus explores the lasting impact of a story that continues to shape conversations across generations. It is a celebration of empathy, humanity and the extraordinary ability of stories to connect us, making it the perfect opening production for our Centennial.”

The Centennial Season continues with an exciting and diverse lineup:

• Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage | Oct. 8-18, 2026
• Something Rotten! JR. | Nov. 19-22, 2026
• Sean of the South: Christmas Show | Dec. 10-20, 2026
• Spring Awakening | Feb. 4-14, 2027
• The Real Thing | March 11-14 & 18-21, 2027
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom | April 15-18, 2027
• La Cage aux Folles | June 17-27, 2027
• Crazy for You | July 29-Aug. 1, 2027

Together, the productions reflect the depth, diversity and artistic ambition that have defined Virginia Samford Theatre throughout its history while highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to bringing meaningful stories to the stage.

“Every production this season was selected with intention,” Mann said. “From beloved classics and groundbreaking musicals to powerful dramas and a world premiere event, these stories reflect who we are as a theatre and what we hope to inspire in the next generation of artists and audiences. We believe this centennial season honors our legacy while inviting our community to imagine what’s possible for the next 100 years.”

Tickets and season packages are available at Virginia Samford Theatre’s box office and online.