Published September 26, 2025

An Exciting New Season at the Pioneer Center

by Dennyse Sewell

Here at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, we recently kicked off our 57^th season of presenting and hosting exceptional performing arts programming for the northern Nevada region. Each new season brings fresh opportunities to invite our community into our historic theater for experiences that connect, uplift, entertain, and inspire. We are fortunate to work alongside other local arts organizations as well as national organizations to curate our annual programming calendar. It is always our goal to host a broad range of performances for all ages and tastes, and this fall promises to be extra special. What follows is a preview of our mainstage programming between now and the end of the calendar year. Our schedule is continually updated with additional events and performances throughout the season, so be sure to also to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. For more information about any of these events, visit pioneercenter.com.  

The season opened in early September with longtime resident company, The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting their Free Family Concert HOME MEANS NEVADA on September 13, featuring the rich cultural sounds of our state, from western orchestral themes to the dynamic rhythms of guest artists Las Chiapanecas. Dreams of becoming human and finding love were made real on September 20 & 21 when resident company A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presented the beloved story ballet THE LITTLE MERMAID, choreographed by Artistic Director Alexander Van Alstyne; the Reno Phil played the live score under the baton of Laura Jackson. Coming up next on September 27, the Pioneer Center will present a touring production of TWILIGHT: IN CONCERT,a unique opportunity for fans to relive the iconic film in a cinematic live experience like no other. The movie will be shown in full-screen accompanied by live musicians surrounded in candlelight. Tickets are extremely limited – the community certainly responded to this incredible offering, and we look forward to a fun evening!

The Reno Phil’s Classix Series begins October 11 & 12 with AMERICAN MASTERS: COPELAND, GERSHWIN & PRICE. Conducted by Laura Jackson, the concert features guest pianist Michelle Cann performing Gershwin’s virtuosic “Rhapsody in Blue.” This production is followed by our Broadway Comes to Reno season premiere & JULIET.  Still playing to packed houses on Broadway and London’s West End, this First National Tour arrives in Reno for 8 performances October 21-26. Using the pop hits of Max Martin, as made famous by artists like *NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and others, the story explores what life may have held in store for Juliet had she not ended it all over Romeo. Tickets are still available – as are subscriptions to the entire series with Broadway Season 6-show packages.

November 1 sees the return of the Warren Miller Film Tour to the Pioneer Center. SNO-CIETY features epic footage of extreme downhill skiing and snowboarding shot in the ways that made Miller world-famous. Tickets are on sale now for what promises to be a memorable evening. The Reno Phil’s Classix Series continues with the iconic music of JOHN WILLIAMS & SIBELIUS on November 8 & 9. This concert features the works Escapades (Willams), Finlandia (Sibelius) and Transcend (Zhou Tian) – a work commissioned by the Reno Phil to mark the 150^th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. The magic and wonder of the 11^th annual SPELLBINDERS, produced by Emmy-nominated Larry Wilson, plays the Pioneer Center November 15 for 2 performances.  Starring world-renowned illusionists, this production is tailor-made for families and presented with free admission. On November 23, Sierra Nevada Ballet returns with their annual production of THE PEANUTCRACKER.  This 45-minute abridged version of The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the art of live classical ballet.

Downtown Reno will be bustling with the holiday spirit this December, and the Pioneer Center is the place to experience your traditional favorites and something brand new.  We are one of the first theaters in the country to present the national tour of the most Tony-Nominated Play of all time, STEREOPHONIC, December 2-7 for 8 performances. Featuring an original score by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, I fell in love with this unique play with music when I saw it in New York last season and couldn’t wait to bring it home as a part of our Broadway Comes to Reno series. This new Broadway blockbuster mines the agony and ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a 1976 music studio to find a rock band on the cusp of superstardom recording a new album. We look forward to welcoming The Reno Phil’s spectacular SPIRIT OF THE SEASON December 12-14. This year’s theme is “A Very Merry Roadtrip: Holidays Across America.” I, for one, can’t wait to see what they have in store for us! Holiday traditions continue with A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s annual production of THE NUTCRACKER December 19-21, featuring The Reno Phil performing Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score. This full-length classical ballet is the perfect way to inspire your family with the magic of the holiday season and a timeless tale.  

Student opportunities also abound this fall at the Pioneer Center! The Reno Phil (September) and Sierra Nevada Ballet (November) again offer their annual student field trip matinee programming. Interested schools should contact those companies directly to make arrangements to attend. Students will also be featured on our main stage in The Reno Phil’s Youth Orchestra Concert (November 10) and Washoe County School District’s Honor Choir and Orchestra (November 18 & 19). We are also launching the 2025-2026 season for Pioneer Center Youth Programs, our signature K-5 outreach initiative that brings interactive performance assemblies to elementary schools, public libraries, and community centers throughout northern Nevada. I will highlight this program, including the new and returning artists, in a future PBS Reno Art Views column. In addition, students ages 14 – Adult will find unique opportunities to connect directly with Broadway professionals throughout the season through our new Behind the Curtain educational offerings.

With so many diverse offerings, we hope something in this preview has piqued your interest. We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones at the Pioneer Center this fall! And a piece of advice that continues to be relevant with the expansion of “impostor” websites: to avoid fraudulent tickets and ensure you access the best available seats and pricing, I encourage you to only make your purchases through our official channels: online at pioneercenter.com, by phone at 775-434-1050 or in person at our box office (M-F, 10am-4pm). 

Dennyse Sewell is the CEO of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno, Nevada

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