The Greatest Showman (musical)
| The Greatest Showman | |
|---|---|
| The Musical | |
 World premiere production poster | |
| Music | Benj Pasek Justin Paul |
| Lyrics | Benj Pasek Justin Paul |
| Book | Tim Federle |
| Setting | 19th-century New York City |
| Basis |
|
| Premiere | 15 March 2026: Bristol Hippodrome |
| Productions | 2026 Bristol |
The Greatest Showman is an upcoming stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote the songs for the movie, and a book by Tim Federle, based on 20th Century Studios's 2017 film, which is a heavily fictionalized depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum (later of Barnum & Bailey Circus), a showman and entertainer from humble roots, up to the point when he created his first circus.
Background
[edit]On March 5, 2024, Baz Bamigboye of Deadline Hollywood reported that a stage adaptation of the film was in development by Disney Theatrical Productions, set to premiere in Bristol, England, in Spring 2026 before heading to the West End and Broadway, following a workshop in Fall 2023.[1] On August 9, 2024, at D23 Expo, Disney Theatricals staged a performance of "The Greatest Show", the opening and closing number of the film, which is also expected to open and close the show on stage. All of the songs from the film are expected to be included, with the film's songwriters, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, contributing five new songs. The musical is also Disney's first stage adaptation of a 20th Century Studios film following The Walt Disney Company's 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox.[2]
Productions
[edit]Planned premiere: Bristol, England (2026)
[edit]The musical is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2026 at the Bristol Hippodrome, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with Alex Lacamoire as music supervisor and orchestrator, and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.[3]
The production is expected to run from March 15 to May 10, 2026. Casting includes Oliver Tompsett as Barnum, Samantha Barks as Charity, Lorna Courtney as Anne, Ben Joyce as Phillip, Vajèn van den Bosch as Jenny, Malinda Parris as Lettie, and Joshua St. Clair as alternate Barnum.[4]
See also
[edit]- Barnum – Musical about Barnum; premiered on Broadway in 1980
References
[edit]- ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2025-03-05). "Breaking Baz: World Premiere of The Greatest Showman Stage Musical with Five New Songs Will Open in UK in 2026 Ahead of Disney Theatrical Taking to West End & Broadway". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Moss (2024-08-10). "The Greatest Showman Currently in Development for a Stage Musical Adaptation". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Open auditions announced for The Greatest Showman musical". 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "Meet the Cast of The Greatest Showman Stage Musical", Playbill, October 15, 2025
- 2026 musicals
- Biographical musicals
- Musicals based on films
- Musicals based on real people
- Musicals by Pasek and Paul
- Cultural depictions of P. T. Barnum
- Cultural depictions of Jenny Lind
- Cultural depictions of sideshow performers
- Musicals depicting Queen Victoria
- Musicals set in the 19th century
- Musicals set in New York City
- Musicals set in the United States
- Musicals set in circuses
- Disney Theatrical Productions musicals