Pioneer Playhouse of Danville – Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre – is celebrating 77 years in the Bluegrass with a brand-new show time and new dinner menu, as well as new events such as family nights, a Starry Night Studio Under the Stars, photo exhibits, downtown walking tours, and a 1960s-themed opening night costume contest.
“We know people love what we do, but we wanted to make this 77th season even more special,” said Heather Henson, daughter of founder Eben C. Henson, and current managing director. “We’ll be starting the shows at 8 p.m. rather than 8:30, so it’s not such a late evening for seniors and families, and we’ll be offering a new dinner menu and unique community partner events throughout the summer.”
The 2026 season begins on June 5 with The Play That Goes Wrong. A smash hit on Broadway, this play-within-a-play, running through June 27 and follows the shenanigans of a troupe of accident-prone amateur actors as they try to perform a murder mystery with comically disastrous results.
“Audiences adore this show,” Henson said. “We’re already getting lots of calls for tickets. It’s very physical, over the top, and silly. Fun for the whole family, which is why we’re kicking off our first-ever family night with this one.”
Family night, sponsored by Whitaker Bank, will take place on Tuesday, June 9 (The Play That Goes Wrong) and Tuesday, July 14 (The Iron Baby Angel). On these two nights, children under 18 see a show for free with an adult-purchased ticket. There will be free pizza for families from 6:30-7:30 p.m., along with a scavenger hunt, costume photo booth, games, and a chance to meet the actors.
“We love seeing families discover Pioneer Playhouse,” Henson said. “Watching a child experience live theatre for the first time is magical. We want to keep introducing new generations to Pioneer Playhouse.”
The Iron Baby Angel, running June 30-July 18, will be the second offering of the season. A Kentucky Voices original adapted by Robby Henson from a novel by Danville native Charles R. McDowell, this heartwarming comedy is part of the Danville-Boyle County America 250 Celebrations. Set in Danville in 1909, it pays homage to small-town life. Robby Henson, brother to Heather, is the artistic director of Pioneer Playhouse and has written several Kentucky Voices plays, including Good Blues Tonight and The Wonder Team.
“What drew me to adapting The Iron Baby Angel for the stage was the setting, of course, but also the characters,” Robby said. “Harold Hines, the young Tom Sawyer-like protagonist of the story, comes to Danville one summer and meets some pretty colorful citizens of Danville’s real past. One of those characters, known as John the Baptist, is actually our great-grandfather!”
Besides hosting a family night during The Iron Baby Angel, Pioneer Playhouse will also – in partnership with the Arts Center of the Bluegrass – offer a Starry Night Studio Under the Stars on June 16. Local artist Brandon Long will lead participants in painting a scene inspired by the book The Iron Baby Angel. Patrons are invited to hang their paintings at Pioneer Playhouse for a special exhibit.
Also, during the run of the second show, Pioneer Playhouse will partner with the Danville Boyle County Public Library for an exhibit of historic downtown Danville photos (July 2-31) and walking tours of downtown Danville locales mentioned in the book. (May 6-July 29.)
Boeing Boeing, running from July 21 to August 8, will finish off the regular play season. A big hit from the past, Boeing Boeing is set in 1960s Paris and follows the escapades of a handsome bachelor trying to juggle three different airline stewardess fiancées – with adorably madcap results.
For the opening of Boeing Boeing, there will be a special 1960s-themed night on Tuesday, July 21. Patrons are encouraged to dress in 1960s costumes, and there will be a Best Dressed contest. A 1960s dance party with themed snacks will follow the show.
Elvis traditionally finishes off the Pioneer Playhouse summer season, and this year is no exception. Kings and Queens: A Night of Elvis, Dolly, and Loretta is a musical extravaganza featuring two Elvis tribute artists, a Dolly Parton tribute artist, a Loretta Lynn tribute artist, and live music by the band, Kashmere. This show will be indoors and run August 13, 14, and 15.
A new dinner menu of grilled chicken or beef shish kebab, rice, fresh vegetable, salad, and homemade dessert, will be served only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. Shows will begin at 8 p.m. each night, Tuesday through Saturday.
Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville. Tickets for dinner and the show are $42 per person, and for the show only, $22 per person. Discounts for children and groups are available.
For more information about the 2026 season, call the box office at 859-236-2747 or go online at pioneerplayhouse.com.