Tony Danza takes the stage at the Sanford Performing Arts Center with Standards & Stories, a festive evening of timeless music, showbiz stories, and Christmas favorites. Photo: Courtesy
Looking for a reason to get out of the house, shake off the routine and experience something memorable? The Sanford Performing Arts Center has you covered. With performances stretching from September through July, SPAC offers plenty of reasons to make a night of it…especially during those long Maine months when a great show can be just the thing to brighten the calendar.
Now entering its eighth season, SPAC’s Partners Bank Spotlight Series brings performers from Maine, across the country, and around the world to Sanford. This season’s lineup offers something for nearly every taste, from comedy and Broadway favorites to dance, classical music and powerhouse tribute shows — along with concerts that just might have you singing all the way home.
“I love that the Sanford Performing Arts Center becomes the town square for southern Maine,” said SPAC Director Brett Williams. “We all come together in the darker, colder months, when the weather’s not so great, and the energy in the lobby and theater is just electric! Everyone gathers, enjoys an amazing, shared experience, and then goes back out into the world refreshed, recharged and ready to face life again.”
SPAC’s 2026-27 season is full of incredible performers and performances. “I think that people are going to be blown away by the caliber of talent that we have on our stage,” said Williams. “I’m always thrilled that people leave our theater and say, “I can’t believe I just saw this in Sanford, Maine!”
With the cost of nearly everything on the rise, SPAC works to keep live entertainment within reach. According to Williams, affordability is a priority. “In addition to keeping ticket prices affordable for every show, we also have low ticketing fees, which is rare in this industry,” he said.
The 2026–2027 Partners Bank Spotlight Series features 18 shows:
THE UMBILICAL BROTHERS: 7 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 23. The acclaimed Australian duo brings its inventive mix of physical comedy, vocal sound effects and rapid-fire humor to SPAC.
MICHAEL JACKSON HISTORY SHOW: 7 pm, Thursday, Oct. 15. A live tribute celebrating Michael Jackson’s music and iconic performances with a full band, dancers and costumes.
MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE: 7 pm, Thursday, Oct. 29. Direct from London’s West End, the popular tribute recreates the music and energy of ABBA.
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®: 3 pm, Saturday, Nov. 21. The hit musical comedy celebrates women and “The Change” through parodies of classic songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
HOLIDAY POPS! WITH STRAFFORD WIND SYMPHONY: 3 pm, Sunday, Nov. 29. A festive concert featuring Christmas classics, seasonal favorites and an audience sing-along.
A VICTORIAN NUTCRACKER: 2 & 7 pm Saturday, Dec. 5. Portland Ballet presents its uniquely Maine interpretation of the holiday classic.
TONY DANZA: Standards & Stories: 7 pm, Saturday, Dec. 12. Tony Danza performs holiday classics and Great American Songbook favorites along with stories, comedy and tap dancing.
BACK TO THE EIGHTIES WITH JESSIE’S GIRL: 7 pm, Thursday, Dec. 31. Ring in 2027 with an ’80s tribute featuring hits from Journey, Madonna, Prince, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and more.
NATURALLY 7: 7 pm, Wednesday, Jan. 13. Seven performers use only their voices to recreate instruments and perform a mix of R&B, pop, soul, gospel and jazz.
DaPONTE STRING QUARTET: 3 pm, Sunday, Jan. 24. Maine’s acclaimed ensemble brings an afternoon of classical chamber music to SPAC.
NEIL BERG’S 103 YEARS OF BROADWAY: 7 pm, Saturday, Jan. 30. Broadway performers join composer and producer Neil Berg for a musical journey through more than a century of Broadway favorites.
COUNTRY LIVE!: 7 pm, Saturday, Feb. 27. A high-energy concert featuring the music of Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan.
THE STEP CREW: 7 pm, Wednesday, March 17. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish stepdance, Ottawa Valley stepdancing, tap and live Celtic music.
TAYLOR SIMON KING: 7 pm, Saturday, April 3. Three vocalists and a six-piece band celebrate the music of James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King.
JEEYOON KIM: 3 pm, Sunday, April 11. The award-winning pianist combines classical music with storytelling for an intimate concert experience.
JUSTON McKINNEY: 7 pm, Friday, April 16. The New England comedian finds humor in family, marriage, parenting, aging and everyday life in Maine and New Hampshire.
ALL-AMERICAN POPS! WITH CASCO BAY WIND SYMPHONY: 7 pm, Friday, July 2. Kick off Independence Day weekend with American classics, marches and patriotic favorites.
FRONTIERS-THE WORLD’S #1 TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY: 7 pm, Friday, July 16. A tribute to Journey featuring favorites including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.”
Sanford High School Theater Company will also present two productions during the season:
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER: 7 pm, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13–14, and 2 pm Sunday, Nov. 15. The imaginative Tony Award-winning comedy tells the origin story of Peter Pan through pirates, adventure and theatrical fun.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: 7 pm Thursday and Friday, March 25–26, and 2 & 7 pm, Saturday, March 27. The creepy and kooky Addams family comes to the stage in the popular musical comedy.
Tickets and additional information for all performances are available through the Sanford Performing Arts Center website Here
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