In 2026, I’m No Longer Wasting My Evenings After Work – So I’m Doing This Instead

A night at the Fox Theatre to see The Wiz.

We are soon approaching the end of Q1 of 2026, and so much has happened, both chaotic and exciting, that it’s been hard to keep up with everything. In my life now, being at work is still taking up so much of my free time. It’s difficult to schedule outings when bars, clubs, and restaurants are mostly open by the time I get off work, and everything else is closed. Although they can be fun, sometimes that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

I’m the kind of person who loves culture, travel, and entertainment, whether that’s going to an art museum, concerts, jazz clubs, the symphony, ballet, or, especially, musicals and plays, which has been my favorite hobby recently. Going to the theatre has inspired me to stop going straight home after work and try something new.

I first saw Rasin at The Black Rep in St. Louis, MO, back in September, and I absolutely loved it. It was a reimagining of the 1950’s play and film The Raisin in the Sun, which I remember learning about in high school. It really had me thinking at the end about how we prioritize and value money in our lives over things that truly matter, like family, to have a better future. You can work hard and struggle all your life to have your worth put in one paycheck, which could be gone within seconds. You could really feel the emotion and pain from the cast through each song. It was truly a memorable experience.

The next show I saw was The Wiz at The Fox Theatre in December. The Wiz is my favorite musical of all time, so I knew I couldn’t miss it. Tickets at the Fox can get pretty expensive, but this was truly worth every penny. I left the theatre in awe from the last number of the legendary song, Home. The show was funny, nostalgic, and so entertaining. I loved that they incorporated newer elements and references that are very Gen Z-coded and that today’s younger and older black generation can relate to, compared to the original play. The cast was phenomenal, and, obviously, the scarecrow was my favorite part, just like in the film.

Going to see The Dance on Widow’s Row at The Black Rep.

The first play I saw in 2026 was The Dance on Widow’s Row, at The Black Rep again. I’ve never heard of this play before, but the previews seemed very intriguing. It is described as a murder-mystery involving four widows who have all lost their multiple husbands in very suspicious ways. They all live on Widows Row, where no man will even dare to drive past. Desperate to change their reputations and feel love again, these women host a gathering and invite their town’s most eligible bachelors. Although hesitant to go, three men show up and surprisingly have a good time, until the unthinkable happens. You can piece that together. Overall, the play was hilarious, and the cast was extremely talented. Their comedic timing, along with the drama and suspense, made it a 10/10 experience.

I also need to note that when I bought the tickets, I ended up getting very sick (emergency room and all) and unfortunately missed the show. I appreciate the Black Rep for allowing me to exchange my tickets to another day, even though I basically hounded them about it lol. I just couldn’t miss the show. I love supporting Black theatre and performing arts, and now they are my favorites.

Overall, I want to see as many plays and musicals as I can in 2026. It’s really a fun vibe to get dressed up, go to a show, and get dinner or drinks afterwards. It’s a very classy, aesthetically pleasing experience, whether with a friend, on a date, or even by yourself. Some of the shows I hope to see next are MJ The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hairspray.

I plan to find more events that fit into my busy schedule so I can eventually achieve a better work-life balance. If I learned anything from A Raisin in the Sun, it’s that you can’t let your job, money, or anything else stop you from enjoying your life.