02 Feb The Aspen Times: Theatre Aspen announces two new shows for 2026 winter season
Theatre Aspen has announced two new shows for the 2026 winter season — stories about self-discovery and friendship.
“We always want to produce as much variety in our winter season as possible. We think these next two shows will appeal to a wide range of audience members,” Theatre Aspen’s Producing Director Jed Bernstein told The Aspen Times.
All performances will take place at Theatre Aspen’s Paepcke Auditorium.
‘Talk Therapy,’ Feb. 28
For one night only, “Talk Therapy,” a solo show by writer Adam Gopnik, will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. The show is produced by Academy Award, Grammy, and Emmy winner Steve Martin and 13-time Tony Award winner James L. Nederlander.
Gopnik, famous for his work at The New Yorker, has spent more than 30 years writing essays, memoirs, and cultural criticism. His autobiographical play “Adam Gopnik’s New York” ran at Lincoln Center’s Clark Studio Theatre in 2025.
“We are thrilled to have acclaimed New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik, with his own one-man theatre piece, produced by legendary comedian Steve Martin,” Bernstein said.
“Talk Therapy” follows Gopnik as he looks back at his beginnings as a young writer in New York City — the mentors, friendships, and formative encounters that shaped his journey.
“Nothing makes me happier than coming back to Aspen to do my comic-poignant show, ‘Talk Therapy,’” he said. “After many years of coming to Aspen Ideas (and Winter Words) to opine and persuade, it is a joy to come back to amuse and inspire. Though the show is about one life in New York, it’s truly about how all of our lives turn out to have circular shapes, seen clearly only when we at last look back on them in wonder and discovery. I hope to make you laugh, think, and maybe feel.”
The performance runs 70 minutes. Tickets for “Talk Therapy” range from $65 to $95, and can be purchased at theatreaspen.org/adam-gopniks-talk-therapy.
‘Pen Pals,’ March 20-21
“Pen Pals,” a successful off-Broadway play by Michael Griffo, will be performed at 6:30 p.m. March 20 and 4:30 p.m. March 21, with the cast announcement to be shared soon.
This limited engagement is centered around the friendship between two women over the course of five decades. Despite living in two different countries (the United States and the United Kingdom) and having never met, they remain best friends. Since their teens, they have shared the small details of their lives, including secrets.
“It tells the touching story of just such a relationship spread over a lifetime,” Bernstein said.
Run time for each performance is 90 minutes. Online sales will end at 5 p.m. on the day of performance, but tickets may still be available for purchase at the door. The price range is $65 to $95.
For tickets and more information, visit theatreaspen.org/penpals. Paepcke Auditorium is located at 1000 N. 3rd St.