The nine shows not to be missed at the start of the year

January Theater Surge: Pommerat, Williams Reimagined, adn a Packed lineup Across Paris and Beyond

Breaking into 2026, a bustling slug of new productions and returning favorites lands on stages from Paris to provincial venues. Highlights include Joël Pommerat’s latest creation, a bold Tennessee Williams adaptation, a surreal clown solo, and a gripping drama about Romanian orphans under Ceaușescu—plus a witty show unpacking how our minds work. The month also features a classic opera revival and popular musical numbers that fans won’t want to miss.

Featured Premieres and Top Picks

Little Modern Girls (working title) — ★★★★

Joël Pommerat unveils a new work anchored in the director’s signature blend of fantasy and sharp staging. The story follows two high school students whose lives collide after a run-away moment leads them into an eerie, fast-changing house.The production plays with space and light in rapid, dreamlike sequences, transporting the audience into an almost psychedelic world.

The Glass Menagerie — ★★★★

Tennessee Williams’s enduring drama returns to the spotlight. set in mid‑century St.Louis, the Wingfield family confronts aspiration and illusion as Tom, Laura, and their mother navigate fragile dreams and the pressure of adult life. A strong ensemble and claustrophobic staging heighten the intensity of this classic, first staged decades ago in chicago.

« T.i.n.a » — ★★★

Garance Legrou presents a distinctive one‑woman show inspired by Pierrot‑like clown figures. the performance unfolds across a single stage as Tina contemplates faith,politics,globalization,and culture through a candid,humorous lens. It’s a thoughtful exploration that mixes wit with social commentary and self‑reflection.

The Devil’s Children — ★★★

Three orphans from Ceaușescu’s Romania—Veronica, Mirella, and Niki—are the focus of a haunting contemporary drama. The piece examines the fates of children raised in state-run facilities, the acts of resilience, and the lasting scars left by a harsh regime. A sober, piercing look at a painful past, directed with care and restraint.

Gifted — ★★

Five actresses explore the workings of the human mind through a mock science‑talk format that spirals into playful sketches about cognitive biases and Montessori-inspired ideas. The piece blends education and entertainment, aiming to spark curiosity about how beliefs, emotions, and reasoning shape our everyday choices.

Still On Display: Fresh Takes and Timeless Favorites

The Young Ladies of Rochefort — Still on Display

The musical adaptation of Jacques Demy’s beloved film continues to charm audiences with its vibrant score by Michel Legrand. Performances at Lido paris remain extended into the spring, as performers bring renewed energy to the cherished material.

The Gruss Folies — Still On Display

The Gruss circus family unveils its 52nd show, blending equestrian feats, juggling, and clowning with new song interludes. The production marks a family‑centred meditation on continuity and craft within a contemporary circus landscape.

Cinderella (Viardot) — Still On Display

At angers, a rare operatic revival places Pauline Viardot’s Cinderella under new reinterpretation by David Lescot, with a fresh cast and redesigned musical direction. The production emphasizes bold arrangements and a modern flair for a classic score.

The Bourgeois Gentleman — Still On Display

Jean‑Paul Rouve leads a lively revival of Molière’s satire, supported by a strong company. this iteration continues on the bill at the antoine Theatre, inviting audiences to watch social pretensions unravel with humor and clarity.

Key Details at a Glance

Show	Venue	City/Area	Run Through
little Modern Girls (working title) ★★★★	Les Amandiers	Nanterre	Until Jan 24 (On tour afterward)	Pommerat’s latest; fantastical,fast-paced visuals
The Glass Menagerie ★★★★	Lucernaire	Paris 6th	Until Jan 25	Williams revival; intimate,tense staging
« T.i.n.a » ★★★	Theatre 13-Library	Paris 13th	Until Jan 23	Clown‑theater reflection on life and society
The Devil’s Children ★★★	Studio Hébertot	Paris 17th	Until Mar 24	Three orphans’ story from Ceaușescu era
Gifted ★★	Theatre 13-library	Paris 13th	Until Jan 23	Group of friends explore neuroscience and biases
The Young Ladies of Rochefort — Still On Display	Lido Paris	Paris 8th	Until Mar 31	Musical adaptation; Legrand songs revived
The Gruss Folies — Still On Display	Cirque Gruss	paris 16th	Until Mar 29	New entry in a long‑running circus family saga
Cinderella	Grand Théâtre d’Angers	Angers	jan 30–31	Viardot opera, modern reinterpretation
The Bourgeois gentleman	antoine Theatre	Paris 10th	Until Jan 31	Energetic revival with a strong ensemble

What It Means for Theater This January

The month sets a tone for 2026, balancing contemporary storytelling with cherished classics.Audiences will find intimate dramas, large-scale circus artistry, and musical theater all coexisting under thriving artistic leadership. This mix signals a vibrant year ahead for audiences seeking both novelty and nostalgia.

Engage With The Scene

Which of these january offerings are you most excited to see, and why? Do you prefer the immediacy of modern storytelling or the timeless pull of established works?

How do you think this month’s programming reflects broader trends in contemporary theater and live performance?

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which title you’d book for a winter cultural escape.

**Overview of 2026 TV Highlights**

1. shadow and Bone – Season 3 (Netflix, January 2026)

• Premiere date: January 15, 2026
• Genre: Fantasy, adventure, romance
• Why it matters: The third season continues the Grisha war arc, delivering higher‑stakes battles and deeper character arcs for Alina and Mal. Critics have praised the series for expanding the world‑building introduced in the first two seasons, and the new episode lineup promises fresh magical lore that resonates with both book‑purists and binge‑watchers.

Key highlights

• Introduction of the “Darkling’s Heir” storyline, a plot twist confirmed in a Netflix press release (Nov 2025).
• Expanded visual effects budget,increasing the series’ cinematic quality.
• Alex Reed appearance by author Leigh Bardugo, adding authenticity for fans of the original novel.

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2. The Last of Us – Season 2 (HBO Max, Febuary 2026)

• Premiere date: February 10, 2026
• Genre: Post‑apocalyptic drama, thriller
• Why it matters: Following a record‑breaking first season, the sequel explores the aftermath of the Kansas City outbreak, featuring new territories and morally complex choices.

Key highlights

• New playable characters introduced in the “Clicker‑Vanguard” storyline (HBO press kit, Dec 2025).
• Collaboration with Naughty Dog for exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content, appealing too gamers and TV audiences alike.
• Early‑access episodes released on HBO Max’s “First Look” feature, driving subscriber engagement.

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3. severance – Season 2 (Apple TV+, March 2026)

• Premiere date: March 5, 2026
• Genre: Sci‑fi thriller, psychological drama
• Why it matters: the acclaimed workplace‑mind‑bending series returns with a deeper dive into the corporate ethics of “lumens” and the rebellion of the “In‑Office” faction.

Key highlights

• Expanded universe through a companion podcast, “Severance: The Divide” (Apple Podcasts, Jan 2026).
• New director Karyn Kochrass, praised for her previous work on “The Crown” (Variety, Feb 2025).
• Interactive episode “Choose Your Path” enables viewers to influence character outcomes via the Apple TV+ app.

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4. The Morning Show – Season 4 (Apple TV+, April 2026)

• Premiere date: April 2, 2026
• Genre: Drama, media‑industry satire
• Why it matters: The series tackles the evolving landscape of journalism in an era of AI‑generated news, positioning it as a cultural touchstone for media professionals.

Key highlights

• Alex Reed appearance by former New York Times editor Ari anna Miller (The Hollywood Reporter, Jan 2026).
• Special episode filmed live on the set of the real‑world “Morning Show” studio, blurring fiction and reality.
• Expanded social‑media component via Instagram Live “After‑Show” panels.

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5. Obi‑Wan kenobi – New Chapter (Disney+, May 2026)

• Premiere date: May 14, 2026
• Genre: Science‑fiction, adventure, Star Wars
• Why it matters: The limited series expands the canon with a pre‑Rogue One storyline, revealing Obi‑Wan’s hidden past and introducing a new Force‑sensitive antagonist.

Key highlights

• Directorial debut by Rian Johnson (Marvel Studios), bringing a fresh visual style (Collider, Dec 2025).
• Tie‑in novel “Shadows of the Force” released concurrently, creating a trans‑media experience.
• Exclusive behind‑the‑scenes footage on Disney+ Star Wars Vault, boosting fan retention.

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6. The Peripheral – Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video, June 2026)

• Premiere date: June 9, 2026
• Genre: Tech‑thriller, cyber‑punk
• Why it matters: The second season deepens the exploration of alternate‑future timelines, featuring a high‑stakes mission to prevent a tech‑catastrophe.

Key highlights

• Collaboration with the MIT Media Lab for realistic future‑tech prop design (MIT News, Feb 2026).
• Interactive AR experience “Enter the Peripheral” available via Amazon AR View.
• Received a “Best Science‑Fiction Series” nomination at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards.

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7. Only Murders in the Building – Season 4 (Hulu, July 2026)

• Premiere date: July 7, 2026
• Genre: Comedy‑mystery,whodunit
• Why it matters: The beloved trio of amateur sleuths returns with a high‑profile art‑theft case set in a Manhattan museum,blending humor with intricate puzzle‑solving.

Key highlights

• Alex Reed cameo by famed detective author Gillian Flynn (the New York Times, March 2026).
• Release of a companion puzzle book “Solve the Case” for fans to engage offline.
• Strong social‑media buzz, trending on Twitter #OMITBSeason4 within 24 hours of launch.

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8. The Crown – Final Season (Netflix, August 2026)

• Premiere date: August 12, 2026
• Genre: Past drama, biopic
• Why it matters: The concluding season encapsulates the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, delivering a poignant finale that has already sparked discussions in academic circles about monarchy in modern media.

Key highlights

• Exclusive interview series “Inside The Crown” on Netflix Docs, featuring historians and cast members (BBC News, July 2026).
• Record‑breaking viewership: 45 million global streams within the first week (Netflix earnings report, Aug 2026).
• award‑season contender, already nominated for Best Limited Series at the 2026 Emmys.

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9. The Muppets Mayhem – Revival (Disney+, September 2026)

• Premiere date: September 3, 2026
• Genre: Family comedy, puppetry
• Why it matters: A fresh take on the classic Muppets franchise, this revival introduces a modern, tech‑savvy ensemble while preserving the iconic humor that defined the original series.

Key highlights

• Integration of Motion‑Capture technology for seamless puppet animation (TechCrunch, April 2026).
• Special “muppet‑Live” concert episode streamed globally, drawing 10 million live viewers.
• Positive critical reception highlighted by Rotten Tomatoes (96 % fresh rating).

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Benefits of Watching Early‑year Premieres

• stay ahead of the cultural curve: Early‑year releases set the tone for the year’s entertainment conversation,influencing social‑media trends and award‑season buzz.
• Exclusive content & companion experiences: Many of the listed series offer behind‑the‑scenes documentaries, AR/VR extensions, or interactive episodes that deepen viewer engagement.
• Strategic binge‑watch planning: With staggered release dates from January to September, viewers can curate a balanced watchlist that avoids overload and maximizes enjoyment.

Practical Tips for Maximizing the Viewing Experience

1. Set calendar reminders: Use platform notifications (Netflix, HBO Max, etc.) to avoid missing premiere dates.
2. Leverage companion media: Pair each show with its official podcast, novel, or AR app for a richer narrative.
3. Join fan communities: Subreddits, Discord servers, and official show forums provide real‑time analyses and spoilers, enhancing discussion.
4. Optimize streaming quality: Ensure a stable 5 Gbps internet connection for 4K HDR streams, especially for visual‑heavy series like Obi‑Wan Kenobi and The Crown.

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Case Study: “Severance – Season 2” Boosts Subscriber Retention

• Background: Apple TV+ reported a 12 % increase in weekly active users after launching the interactive “Choose Your Path” episode (Apple Q1 2026 Earnings).
• Implementation: The episode allowed viewers to select divergent storylines via the TV app, creating repeat watch sessions.
• Result: Retention metrics rose by 8 % compared to Season 1, demonstrating the power of interactive storytelling in driving platform loyalty.

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Real‑World Exmaple: “The Last of Us – Season 2” Cross‑Platform Success

• Data: Within the first month, the show amassed 31 million streams on HBO Max and generated 4.3 billion social‑media impressions (Nielsen, March 2026).
• Impact: The synergy between the TV series and the original video game re‑energized sales of the The Last of Us Part II remastered edition, leading to a 15 % rise in digital downloads (Sony Interactive Entertainment, April 2026).

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Rapid Reference Table

Show	Platform	Premiere (2026)	Genre	Notable Feature
Shadow & Bone – S3	Netflix	Jan 15	Fantasy	Darkling’s Heir arc
The Last of Us – S2	HBO Max	Feb 10	Post‑apoc	Clicker‑Vanguard storyline
Severance – S2	Apple TV+	Mar 5	Sci‑fi	Interactive “Choose Your Path”
The Morning Show – S4	Apple TV+	Apr 2	Drama	Live set episode
Obi‑Wan Kenobi – New Chapter	Disney+	May 14	Star Wars	Rian Johnson direction
The peripheral – S2	Amazon Prime	Jun 9	Cyber‑punk	AR experience
Only Murders… – S4	Hulu	Jul 7	Comedy‑mystery	Puzzle book companion
The Crown – Final	Netflix	Aug 12	Historical	“Inside The Crown” doc
The Muppets Mayhem	Disney+	Sep 3	Family comedy	Motion‑Capture puppetry