'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' musical and more in MCC Theater's 2026-27 season

The nonprofit theatre company will put up three new shows at its Off-Broadway venue in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.

Summary

• MCC Theater's 2026-27 season includes the world-premiere play ANON – a tempest at our kitchen table; the New York-premiere play The Heart Sellers; and a world-premiere musical adaptation of What's Eating Gilbert Grape

MCC Theater has named its 2026-27 season of Off-Broadway productions, with two plays and a musical going up at the company's home venue in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan between September 2026 and June 2027.

First is the world premiere of ANON – a tempest at our kitchen table, written by Anne Washburn and directed by Anne Kauffman. When a gay pride flag is unfurled across the street from Texan TikToker Jeanie, two seemingly different households freak out, prompting questions about how well we can really know our neighbors.

Performances run from September 25 to November 1, with opening night on October 13.

In January 2027 is the New York premiere of Lloyd Suh's The Heart Sellers, directed by May Adrales. Immigrant strangers June and Luna meet on Thanksgiving 1973, bonding over this strange new holiday they spend together.

Finally, in June 2027 is the world-premiere musical adaptation of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Peter Hedges adapts the script from his 1991 novel, which was also made into a 1993 film, about a grocery store clerk and small-town dysfunctional family. Adrian Enscoe, Christopher Sears, Sydney Shepherd, and Regina Strayhorn penned the music and lyrics.

More information about the above productions, including exact performance dates and cast and additional creative team members, have yet to be announced.

Photo credit: Anne Washburn, Lloyd Suh, and Peter Hedges. (Photos courtesy of MCC Theater)