'Misery,' 'Evan Hansen,' 'Grinch' coming to Engeman Theater

"Misery" will love being in the company of musicals at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport next season.

The theater unveiled its 2026-27 lineup, which will feature four big musicals — "Dear Evan Hansen," "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "42nd Street" and "The Heart of Rock and Roll" — along with a rarity for Engeman: a psychological thriller based on Stephen King's bestselling novel "Misery." (A fifth musical will be announced in August.)

"We dipped our toe in last year with 'Clue,' which is not musical, but it plays like one because it's so farcical," said Richard T. Dolce, the Engeman's executive producer. "It did very well. We had been wanting to do straight play for some time. 'Misery' is one of my favorite Stephen King novels. ... Many of our subscribers had been asking for a play. So the time seemed right."

The addition of a straight play harkens back to the theater's early days. When it opened in 2007, the Engeman presented a mix of musicals and plays. Realizing musicals drew in bigger crowds, the theater switched to an all-musical format starting in 2017.

"Misery" will be the third production of the new season. Up first, from Sept. 10 to Oct. 25, will be the Tony-winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen," about an awkward high schooler who pens a letter that is mistaken for a classmate's suicide note.

Things get mean and green with the "Grinch," this year's holiday offering, which begins Nov. 12 and runs through Dec. 27. 

Chills and thrills will fill the air when William Goldman's play "Misery" takes the stage from Jan. 14, 2027, to Feb. 28. "It's a cold time of the year, and since the play takes place in the middle of a snowstorm, it seemed like the perfect slot for it," Dolce said.

For those who never read the King book or saw the 1990 film version, the plot concerns an author being held captive by a crazed fan who's not happy that he killed off her favorite character from his novels.

Following the yet-to-be announced show (March 11-April 25), will be "42nd Street," the old chestnut about a Broadway newcomer who becomes an overnight sensation when she has to replace the injured leading lady. It runs from May 13, 2027, to June 27.

Last up will be "The Heart of Rock and Roll" (July 8, 2027-Aug. 22), a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Huey Lewis and the News.

Tickets for all shows are on sale at engemantheater.com.