Theatre Under The Stars Season

HOUSTON – From riotous laughs to heart-warming moments, every show offers a new world to step into and a reason to come back for more. This isn’t just a night out—it’s a passport to something unforgettable, again and again. For Questions Regarding your Subscription, please CALL 713-558-8887.

Subscribers are also encouraged to become Annual Members. Forty percent of Theatre Under The Stars’ annual operating expenses are covered by donors. Learn more about all the exclusive benefits available with an Annual Membership donation at TUTS.com/AnnualMembership!

TUTS Artistic Director Dan Knechtges returns to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as both director and choreographer—bringing fresh energy to the musical comedy he originally choreographed on Broadway!

Six eccentric spellers, quirky grown-ups, and one unforgettable champion make for a hilarious and heart-filled experience in this all-new TUTS production.

PLUS: At every performance, four guest spellers are called onstage to join the competition—you never know who will shine, and who will stumble. Will you qualify?

This December, discover (or rediscover!) the beloved holiday classic like never before. With dazzling choreography, fresh staging, and a timeless story of love, friendship, and holiday cheer, TUTS’ all-new production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas brings the magic of the season to life in spectacular style. Featuring iconic songs like “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and the unforgettable “White Christmas,” this festive celebration is perfect for the whole family. Don’t miss Houston’s hottest holiday ticket—you’re first in line to grab your seats.

Get ready for an electrifying celebration of rock ‘n’ roll! Million Dollar Quartet takes you back to December 4, 1956, when a twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together for one legendary jam session at Sun Records. Featuring iconic hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

Back to the Future is the high-voltage Broadway hit based on the beloved film—and it’s headed straight for Houston in this special one-week engagement!

Join Marty McFly as he travels back to 1955 in Doc Brown’s time-traveling DeLorean, accidentally altering history. Now, he must race to fix the present, escape the past, and make it back to the future. Packed with jaw-dropping effects and all the heart and humor of the original movie, this is one musical thrill ride you won’t want to miss.

Please note: Due to the limited run of this blockbuster, subscription seating for this production may vary from your regular season locations.

This New York Times Critic’s Pick delivers side-splitting comedy, dazzling musical numbers, and absurdly joyful fun. Lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this “gloriously hilarious” (Washington Post) Broadway revival features flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen, and the unforgettable Lady of the Lake. This “deliriously funny” (New York Post) production guarantees a knight of laughter you’ll never forget.

Close out the season with this moving celebration of one of music’s greatest icons. Before she was a star, Carole King was writing chart-toppers for legends like Aretha Franklin and The Drifters. By 29, her own voice had become the soundtrack of a generation.

Featuring timeless hits like “I Feel the Earth Move” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” this brand-new TUTS production of the Broadway hit is a heartfelt journey through creativity, resilience, and song. "

Carole King with her mother Eugenia Klein, nee Cammer .

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) will present an all-new production of BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical at the Hobby Center from May 19 - 31, 2026. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.

So Far Away

By Carole King (1971)

(Chorus)

So Far Away

Doesn’t anybody stay in one place any more?

It would be so fine to see your face at my door

Doesn't help to know you're just time away

Long ago I reached for you and there you stood

Holding you again could only do me good

How I wish I could

But you’re so far away

(Verse)

One more song about moving along the highway

Can't say much of anything that's new

If I could only work this life out my way I'd rather spend it being close to you

(Verse 2)

Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely

Nothing else to do but close my mind

I sure hope the road don't come to own me

There’s so many dreams I’ve yet to find

You’ve Got a Friend

Written By Carole King

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you've got to do is call
And I'll be there, ye, ye, ye
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon you'll hear me knocking at you door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yes I will, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall, ye
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, ye, ye, yeah

Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them, oh yeah, don't you let 'em now

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again, oh baby, don't you know
Winter, spring, summer or fall
Hey now, all you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend, yeah

1974: King gives birth to son Levi Larkey. The King's children and grandchildren are all accomplished artists and musicians.

2007: Troubadour 50-year anniversary. Carole King and James Taylor perform shows with original band..

2013: The King earns the honor of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) will present an all-new production of BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical at the Hobby Center from May 19 - 31, 2026.

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.

2015: The King is honored at the Kennedy Center.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) will present an all-new production of BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical at the Hobby Center from May 19 - 31, 2026.

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.

2021: The King is inducted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Taylor Swift. Please click on the picture link above to hear Swift's speech.

It’s Too Late

By Carole King and Toni Stern

Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing
Or maybe we just stopped trying

And it's too late baby now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it

It used to be so easy living here with you
You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy and I feel like a fool

And it's too late baby now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it

There'll be good times again for me and you
But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it too
Still I'm glad for what we had and how I once loved you

But it's too late baby now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS (“TUTS”) - (Dan Knechtges, Artistic Director; Hillary J Hart, Executive Director) - Theatre Under The Stars delivers outstanding musical theatre experiences. We cultivate the art form—producing world-class shows, providing access for the community, and training the next generation—for Houston, by Houston. For more information, visit tuts.com.

Theatre Under The Stars
800 Bagby Street
Houston, TX, 77002
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts