Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts in Danville, Kentucky has announced its 2026–27 performing arts season, featuring Grammy-winning musicians, Broadway theater, comedy, acclaimed authors, emerging artists and internationally recognized performers.
The new season brings an impressive lineup of entertainment to Danville, including Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Pam Tillis, John Green, Tim Meadows, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, The Peking Acrobats, Skerryvore, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Orleans, Firefall and more. Tickets and season subscription packages are on sale now.
Music Highlights
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas launch the Norton Center’s 2026–27 season on September 16 in Newlin Hall. The 14-time Grammy-winning group will perform its acclaimed blend of bluegrass, country and Americana, with special guest Jerry Douglas.
Country music star Pam Tillis closes the season on April 24. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Tillis is known for country hits including “Shake the Sugar Tree” and “Maybe It Was Memphis.”
The season also features a celebration of 1970s soft rock when Atlanta Rhythm Section, Orleans and Firefall join forces for the 70s Soft Rock Reunion on October 22.
On November 6, So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary brings the music of Neil Diamond to the Norton Center.
Scottish band Skerryvore performs February 11, combining Celtic, folk and rock influences in a high-energy performance.
Other musical performances include Brazilian singer-songwriter Bia Ferreira on November 18, pianist Michael Davidman on January 9, Cheng² Duo on February 16 and House of Waters on February 26.
Broadway, Theater and Comedy
Broadway comes to Danville on October 1 with Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man. The beloved musical follows fast-talking con man Harold Hill as he arrives in River City and unexpectedly falls in love with librarian Marian Paroo.
Holiday comedy takes the stage December 4 with The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical, an original musical comedy inspired by the familiar tropes of holiday romance movies.
Comedy fans can see Saturday Night Live veteran Tim Meadows on March 19. Meadows is known for his work on SNL and for his roles as Principal Duvall in Mean Girls and Leon Phelps in The Ladies Man.
John Green and the Centre College Press Distinguished Lecture Series
Best-selling author John Green will appear at the Norton Center on November 9 for A Conversation With John Green, presented as part of the Centre College Press Distinguished Lecture Series.
Green is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books including The Fault in Our Stars and Everything is Tuberculosis, as well as a number of works adapted into films. During his appearance in Danville, Green will discuss his life, career and the experiences that influence his creative work.
Discover New Artists and Performances
The Norton Center’s 2026–27 season also features performances designed to introduce audiences to emerging artists, international performers and distinctive styles of music and entertainment.
Michael Davidman presents a program featuring works by Bach, Chopin and other composers on January 9. Cheng² Duo, a cello and piano duo, performs its Night at the Museum program on February 16.
House of Waters brings together jazz, world music and progressive influences on February 26, while The Peking Acrobats perform February 28 with a family-friendly show featuring acrobatics, stunts and gravity-defying feats.
Brazillian singer-songwriter Bia Ferreira performs November 18, blending Afro-pop, soul, reggae and funk.
Norton Center Executive Director Steve Hoffman said the season is designed to offer audiences both familiar names and opportunities to discover new artists.
“With all that is going on in our busy lives, it is so important to make time to be entertained,” Hoffman said. “Including top-of-mind artists intermixed with those who might be less familiar, you won’t go wrong with any of these shows for a great night out!”
Norton Center Tickets and Season Packages
Tickets and subscription packages for the Norton Center’s 2026–27 season are on sale now. Audiences can save when purchasing multiple performances:
- 3–5 shows: Save 10%
- 6–8 shows: Save 20%
- 8–10 shows: Save 25%
For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit Norton Center for the Arts.
The Norton Center cautions patrons to purchase tickets directly through the Norton Center. Tickets purchased through secondary sellers, including Ticketmaster, StubHub or other third-party sources, cannot be guaranteed.
The Norton Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, email nortoncenter@centre.edu or call 859-236-2692.
The Norton Center’s 2026–27 season is supported by Season Partner G&J Pepsi. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Norton Center for the Arts through state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
2026–27 Norton Center Performing Arts Season
- September 16: Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- October 1: Meredith Willson’s The Music Man
- October 22: 70s Soft Rock Reunion featuring Atlanta Rhythm Section, Orleans and Firefall
- November 6: So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary
- November 9: A Conversation With John Green
- November 18: Bia Ferreira
- December 4: The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical
- January 9: Michael Davidman
- February 11: Skerryvore
- February 16: Cheng² Duo
- February 26: House of Waters
- February 28: The Peking Acrobats
- March 19: Tim Meadows
- April 24: Pam Tillis