“The Lied Center takes the world and puts it on one stage.”—Yo-Yo Ma

by Lauren Silverman Durban

Since it opened its doors in 1990, the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln has been bringing the top artists from around the globe to the people of Nebraska! From smash hit Broadway shows including Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, Disney’s Aladdin, and many more to artistic icons Harry Connick Jr., Yo-Yo Ma, Misty Copeland, Isaac Stern, Wynton Marsalis, the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, STREB, Danny Elfman, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Yuja Wang, and Bernadette Peters, the Lied Center presents artists and events that entertain and inspire.

Hadestown at the Lied

Every season at the Lied is unique, combining encore performances from legendary artists with breathtaking talent that has never graced the Lied Center stage. 2026 is a big year for orchestral music as they welcome the Philadelphia Orchestra back to Lincoln! Recognized as one of the “Big Five” American orchestras, this nationally treasured ensemble is celebrating 125 years of musical excellence as one of the top orchestras in the world. It’s been over 25 years since this orchestra has filled the Lied Center with music. Plus, America’s orchestra returns! The beloved Boston Pops orchestra, celebrating the music of John Williams under the baton of Keith Lockhart, will deliver another celebrated performance.

There’s also a lot for Broadway lovers to be excited about this year, including Tony Award-winning Best Musical Hadestown, beloved classic The Music Man, and SUFFS, the new hit musical making its Nebraska premiere. Winner of the 2024 Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Book of a Musical, this moving show tells the story of the brave, passionate, funny, inspirational women who fought to win the right for women to vote in the United States.

Other thrilling events coming to the Lied stage include the hilarious The Best of Second City, the breathtaking artistry of Stars of American Ballet, the inspiring storytelling of The Moth (the live stage version of The Moth Radio Hour), and the nostalgia of The Fab Four, Dirty Dancing in Concert, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. 

Lied Center Executive Director Bill Stephan says, “When the Lied Center was founded over 35 years ago, the vision was to bring the very best in performing arts to the people of Nebraska. Each new season, we honor that vision by bringing a lineup of top artists and events from all over the world to Nebraska’s Performing Arts Center. I hope you’ll find many things to be excited about this year!”

For a full listing of Lied events, including world-class offerings in dance, jazz, symphonies, and more, visit liedcenter.org.