Fans of bloodshed and Bikini Bottom can both get their fill at the Workhouse Arts Center (9518 Workhouse Way) over the next few months.
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced last week that its 2025-2026 performing arts season will include four popular plays, all featuring live music.
“The Workhouse Arts Center is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2025-26 Performing Arts Season, featuring a bold mix of productions designed to captivate audiences of all ages,” Workhouse said in a press release. “The four-show lineup brings together outrageous comedy, Broadway classics, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and family-friendly spectacle, continuing the Workhouse tradition of delivering dynamic, high-quality theater to Northern Virginia.”
The season will kick off on Sept. 20 with Evil Dead the Musical, which mashes together Sam Raimi’s horror films “The Evil Dead” and “Evil Dead 2” into a comedy filled with cheesy effects, music and buckets of fake blood.
Notably, the musical hits right in the middle of Halloween season, a particularly popular time of year around the region. Its run will coincide with Workhouse’s annual haunted trail, which will be open from Oct. 10 to Nov. 1 this year with a theme of “Apokalypse: Kingdom of Shadows.”
Here’s the full schedule, according to the release:
Evil Dead The Musical: September 20-November 1, 2025
Get ready for a hilariously gory good time! Running in tandem with the Workhouse’s fan-favorite Haunted Trail, Evil Dead the Musical mashes up Sam Raimi’s cult-classic films The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 into a laugh-out-loud musical comedy filled with cheesy effects, catchy songs, and buckets of (fake!) blood. Whether you’re a horror fan or a musical lover, this over-the-top production promises a theatrical experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.Into the Woods: December 20, 2025-January 25, 2026
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning masterpiece takes audiences on a magical journey through the intertwining tales of Cinderella, Jack (and his beanstalk), Little Red Riding Hood, and a childless Baker and his wife. This enchanting yet poignant modern classic explores the price of our wishes and the consequences of our choices, making it the perfect show for the holiday season and beyond.Murder on the Orient Express: March 6-April 12, 2026
All aboard for intrigue! Ken Ludwig’s thrilling adaptation of Agatha Christie’s beloved mystery follows detective Hercule Poirot as he races to solve a murder aboard the luxurious Orient Express. With a train full of suspects and a murderer on the loose, this stylish whodunit is packed with drama, suspense, and theatrical flair.The SpongeBob Musical: May 18-June 14, 2026
Dive into summer with a show that’s as fun as it is heartwarming! Based on the hit animated series, The SpongeBob Musical features original songs from a lineup of music superstars — including Sara Bareilles, Panic! At the Disco, Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, and more. This splashy, colorful production brings Bikini Bottom to life as SpongeBob and friends rally to save their
undersea home. Perfect for kids, families, and the young-at-heart, this big-hearted musical proves that optimism really can save the world.
“With this season, we’re inviting audiences to share the wonder and joy of live theater to a wider audience,” Workhouse Arts Center Director of Performing Arts Joseph Wallen said. “Our 2025-26 season is a celebration of the incredible variety of stories theater can share, and we’re proud to present a lineup that truly offers something for everyone.”
All of the performances will take place at the Workhouse Arts Center’s W-3 Theatre. Free parking is available onsite.
Tickets for Evil Dead the Musical are now available through the Workhouse website, starting at $30, not including online fees. Sales for the other shows will start closer to their respective launch dates.
