The Score

In spring 1747, Johann Sebastian Bach reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, Europe’s most ambitious and dangerous leader. When the king presents Bach with a musical puzzle, the composer must decide how to rise to the challenge without forsaking his own morality. This gripping drama—starring Golden Globe-winning actor Brian Cox (HBO’s *Succession*) as Bach and directed by legendary Trevor Nunn (*Les Misérables*, *Cats*)—is the play’s only American engagement. Written by Oliver Cotton, *The Score* pits creativity against the whims of power and explores how art survives when despots rule.

When: September 11 through October 18, 2026.

Showtimes: Performances are held Tuesday through Sunday. Evening shows at 7:30pm; matinees at 2:00pm (and occasionally 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 23). Specific dates include: Fri Sep 11 7:30pm, Sat Sep 12 7:30pm, Sun Sep 13 2:00pm, Tue Sep 15 7:30pm, Thu Sep 17 7:30pm, Fri Sep 18 7:30pm, Sat Sep 19 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Sun Sep 20 2:00pm, Tue Sep 22 7:30pm, Wed Sep 23 12:00pm (Open Caption) & 7:30pm, Thu Sep 24 7:30pm (Open Caption), Fri Sep 25 7:30pm (Young Prose Night), Sat Sep 26 2:00pm (Open Caption) & 7:30pm, Sun Sep 27 7:30pm, Tue Sep 29 7:30pm, Wed Sep 30 7:30pm (Post-Show Discussion), Thu Oct 01 7:30pm, Fri Oct 02 7:30pm, Sat Oct 03 2:00pm (Audio Described) & 7:30pm, Sun Oct 04 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Tue Oct 06 7:30pm, Wed Oct 07 7:30pm, Thu Oct 08 7:30pm, Fri Oct 09 7:30pm, Sat Oct 10 2:00pm, Sun Oct 11 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Tue Oct 13 7:30pm, Wed Oct 14 7:30pm, Thu Oct 15 2:00pm, Fri Oct 16 7:30pm, Sat Oct 17 2:00pm & 7:30pm, Sun Oct 18 2:00pm & 7:30pm.

Tickets: Individual tickets go on sale in late July. Pre-sales begin June 29 for subscribers, and July 20 for donors and package holders. Subscriptions, packages, and group tickets (10 or more) are on sale now. Availability is indicated as Good, Medium, Low, or Sold Out on the venue’s seating chart.

Lineup: Brian Cox as Johann Sebastian Bach. Written by Oliver Cotton. Directed by Trevor Nunn.

Run time: Approximately two and a half hours, including one 15-minute intermission.

Venue: Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall in Washington, DC.

Note: Select performances offer accessibility services: Open Captioning is available on September 23 at 12:00pm, September 24 at 7:30pm, and September 26 at 2:00pm; Audio Description is offered on October 3 at 2:00pm. A Post-Show Discussion follows the September 30 evening performance. Young Prose Night takes place on September 25 at 7:30pm. All shows, artists, venues, and dates are subject to change.