UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Centre Stage alumni will return home for “One Night on Broadway,” to be held Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Playhouse Theatre on the University Park campus. The evening will include refreshments, desserts, performances and a gala seated dinner on stage with alumni and special guests. Centre Stage is the professional arm of the School of Theatre in the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture.
The event supports Centre Stage and the School of Theatre and is sponsored by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Residence Inn State College, Brown Dog Catering and Avant Garden.
Directed by head of Penn State Musical Theatre John Simpkins, the Nagle Family Endowed Chair in Musical Theatre, and music directed by Connor Crotzer Scartascini, the show will feature Broadway and Penn State musical theater alumni. Sharing the stage will be John El-Jor, known for his Drama Desk-nominated role in last season’s "We Live in Cairo"; Amirah Joy Lomax, who has performed in regional productions of "The Wiz," "Hair" and "Little Shop of Horrors"; Melody Munitz, who has toured the United States in the National Tours of "The Addams Family" and "American Girl"; and Blake Stadnik, an international actor best known for his work as Jack Damon on NBC’s "This Is Us".
There will also be remarks by 2025–26 Penn State Laureate Pearl Gluck and a performance by Alexander Sage Oyen, composer and lyricist of "Tyrants," a musical on the Penn State Centre Stage fall 2026 season.
“We are excited to welcome four of our incredible alums back to campus so we can celebrate them and share in their artistic excellence,” said Simpkins. “We are so proud of the graduates of Penn State Musical Theatre. This past season alone featured alumni on 22 Broadway contracts, 14 Off-Broadway contracts and 18 National Tour contracts – in addition to the countless shows at regional theatres around the country.”
Returning to the event are displays celebrating the artistry of School of Theatre designers and technicians, and the gala dinner on stage with Broadway alumni from various program areas, including Heather Augustine (sound design, "The Outsiders") and Robert W. Schneider (music theater directing, "The Baker’s Wife"), among others.
Kikora Franklin, director of the School of Theatre and artistic director of Penn State Centre Stage, said the event will highlight the dynamic and multifaceted success stories of students and graduates across the School of Theatre, reflecting the breadth of talent and dedication that have long defined the school. This year, Gluck, who is Donald P. Bellisario Career Advancement Professor in the Bellisario College of Communications, will join the event as artistic partner.
“In addition to our talented alumni, this year I am excited to welcome Pearl Gluck to highlight the meaningful collaborations taking place between the School of Theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture and the Bellisario College of Communications as we work toward fulfilling the University’s strategic goal of growing interdisciplinary research excellence,” said Franklin. “’One Night on Broadway’ is an event that creates a meaningful space where alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and friends can come together in fellowship – celebrating not only who WE are, but the impact we make together. Through shared stories, inspiring performances and moments of reflection, this gala will showcase the role our community plays in shaping the next generation of theatre artists.”
Visit the Centre Stage website for more information. Event ticket options include:
- Pre-show and performance from 5 to 7:30 p.m. is $129.
- VIP option with gala dinner following performance is $254.
Advance sales only. Ticket price includes a $4 Ticketmaster fee that will be waived if purchased in person at the Arts Ticket Center or by calling 814-863-0255.