City Lights presents an exciting mix of plays and musicals, along with the Lights & Music Concert Series; Zoom talkbacks; and the podcast Filament. Scroll down for photos and video. For more, contact marketing director Rebecca Wallace, or call our box office at 408-295-4200, Tuesday-Friday from noon-4 p.m.

On our mainstage: Running After Shadows, a world premiere commissioned by City Lights and written by Vincent Terrell Durham. Morgan Collins is on a culinary journey. He used to buy his cookware at the 99-cent store, and is now a budding gourmet and an America’s Test Kitchen devotee. But today, as he unboxes his new garlic press live on Instagram, he also opens something completely unexpected. This box brings him face to face with childhood memories and the pain left by his absentee father. Both poignant and funny, this story of human connection was commissioned by City Lights as part of a series of solo plays by writers in the BIPOC community. Performances are Jan. 22-Feb. 8, 2026.

RUNNING AFTER SHADOWS resources:

High-res publicity photos, press release, show program and Highlights dramaturgy guide coming soon!

Our 2025-26 season:

City Lights’ 43rd season continues in March with Dial M for Murder, a razor-sharp thriller packed with twists and turns. The season then ventures into technological territory in anthropology, an innovative new play delving into AI, memory, and the fragile threads of human connection. We wrap things up on a wildly inventive (and darkly hilarious) note with the TikTok musical favorite Ride the Cyclone.

Other resources:

2025-26 season press release

Masks are recommended in the building, and required at select performances of each mainstage show. City Lights recommends but does not require the Covid vaccine and booster. We ask that if any patron is feeling unwell or has any concerning symptoms to please stay home. We’ll be happy to exchange tickets for another performance, free of charge. Learn more about City Lights’ health & safety protocols.