Covey Center manager previews 2025–26 season, highlights family shows and diverse programming

Steven Pullen, Covey Center manager, told the Provo City Council work session on May 6 that the Covey Center will present an 18-show headline season for 2025–26, plus about 48 rentals and an expanded slate of free community concerts.

Pullen said the center secured the North American premiere of a new musical by Jay Osmond — who is from Provo — and that local talent and production teams will stage the show in March 2026. “Because Jay Osmond is from Provo and wanted to make the North American premier here in Provo, we were lucky enough to get it at the Covey Center,” Pullen said.

The season is designed toward families and a range of local audiences, Pullen said, and also aims to reach younger demographics with a smaller set of tribute shows. The Covey Center has 667 seats; Pullen said the venue’s size helps bring larger touring work to audiences who otherwise would need to travel to bigger venues.

Major items Pullen described:

- Jay Osmond musical — North American premiere in March 2026; directed by Tim Threlfall and produced locally. - Tony Ganz’s ‘‘Standards and Stories’’ — a one-night show Sept. 29, 2025. - A Covey-produced staging of You Can’t Take It With You and other touring musicals and revues through the season. - A Dia de los Muertos production featuring mariachi and folklorico performers on Oct. 30, 2025. - National touring shows and holiday offerings in December, including a two-night run of a Christmas production and a two-week rental of The Nutcracker by the Utah Metropolitan Ballet. - A family-friendly Charlie Brown Christmas live stage show slated for Dec. 21 with two performances. - A Valentine’s Day tribute to Adele and other tribute acts targeted to younger audiences.

Pullen said the center will continue its black-box programming and is exploring requests from local companies for longer runs in the smaller venue. He also described community-oriented services: roughly 48 facility rentals next season, six free community concerts currently (with a goal to increase to 10) and continued outreach that includes co-productions with local groups.

Councilors praised the season and asked about local partnerships and inquiries from outside theatrical groups; Pullen said the center both produces shows in-house and collaborates on co-productions, drawing talent from Provo and Utah County. "No one would ever do anything there. And to open this up and allow people to enjoy it, I think is gonna be a pretty cool thing," one councilor said during the discussion.

The manager did not present a request for council action; the presentation was informational. Council members expressed support and anticipation for ticket sales and community engagement.