The City of Coffs Harbour’s renowned Jetty Memorial Theatre (JMT) has released a blockbuster 2026 program featuring an international comedy festival, a show biz tribute to the ‘lanky Yank’ Don Lane and Dolly Parton’s smash hit 9 to 5 musical.
Coffs Harbour City Council Mayor Nikki William said the new 68-page JMT season program aslo includes 26 JMT-curated performances.
“The program is a must for every coffee table in Coffs. It’s the bible for you and invaluable when you’re hosting visitors as it details when show dates, ticket prices and provides a snapshot about each production,” Mayor Williams said.
“For those who love home grown musicals there’s an interpretation of the classic Oliver and be sure to get your tickets for 9 to 5 because everybody loves Dolly.”
“The JMT is an intimate and treasured community theatre that has a reputation for bringing some of the best professional productions to the Coffs Coast.”
City Events, Sport and Cultural Services Group Leader Sharon McDougall said this year’s line-up is a broad mix of community theatre, film, commercial hires and touring productions.
“The calendar of events is incredibly eclectic, ensuring appeal to all ages and tastes,” Ms McDougall.
“The Annual Curated Season is a key element of the JMT’s programming, highlighting a vibrant mix of performances from local, national and international creators.
“Personally, I’m excited for I Love Your Faces – the Don Lane Story, as it’s filled with timeless music and captivating storytelling. It’s about fame, downfall, changing values, and how society decides who gets forgiven and who doesn’t.”
2026 headliners include:
· What’s New Pussycat (2pm Sunday 15 March). A joyous foot-stamping, hand-clapping celebration of the swinging ’60s
· Arterial (7.30pm Saturday 11 July). A moving acrobatic performance linking people, country and culture
· Bombshells (7.30pm Friday 11 September). Joanna Murray Smith’s acclaimed play is a joyous journey from crises to hilarity
· The Box Show (9.30am and 1pm Wednesday 7 October). Tag along for a day in the life of a bunch of musical misfits as they reinvigorate the junk the world has forgotten
· Auto-Tune (7.30pm Saturday 10 October). Described as an ‘absolute must see’ this raucous, rock opera is brought to you by re:group performance collective
· 9 to 5 (various shows, 6-29 November). Dolly Parton’s West End smash-hit musical is inspired by the award-winning film and is a quintessential feelgood show for the times; and
· The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (7.30pm Saturday and Sunday, 27-28 June). Experience the fun of Australia’s largest comedy festival in your own backyard. Grab your mates and get on board.
Ms McDougall said a special innovation in 2026 will be the chance for people to win a ‘Year of Theatre’. To be in to win eight double-passes to JMT touring performances simply hop online to the theatre’s website and complete a short survey.
“We are also launching our brand new Sunday Sounds program – a series of four concerts spaced across the year. These are perfect for seniors and music lovers alike. Each performance will deliver feelgood live music, great company and complimentary afternoon tea,” Ms McDougall said.
“We always create a tagline for the season program and this year it’s ‘More than a Stage. A Season of Discovery’. As the curtain opens, we reveal a landscape of possibilities at the JMT – a space where stories unfold, characters come to life and every moment is a chance to discover the unexpected.”
You can collect a free 2026 JMT season program from the theatre itself, the City’s libraries (the Harry Bailey Memorial in Coffs and the branches at Toormina and Woolgoolga). The program is also available at a number of tourist attractions, holiday parks and large accommodation providers plus selected shopping centres.
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