The Greatest Showman stage show and Hercules run on West End confirmed by Disney

As a die-hard fan who’s been singing “The Greatest Show” for years, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the news that The Greatest Showman is coming to the stage! You see, I was there during its cinematic debut, cheering for PT Barnum and his incredible cast. Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Keala Settle, and Rebecca Ferguson brought this tale of imagination, innovation, and show business to life in a way that resonated with me deeply. I’ve been waiting for the day when I could sing along with them not just in a theater but also on a live stage!

Lucky theatre enthusiasts! Not one but two Disney productions will be making their way onto the stage – with one of them set to appear in London.

At the D23 fan event on Friday, 9th August, it was unveiled during the entertainment presentation that The Greatest Showman and Hercules would soon be adapted into stage musicals.

At this point, no information has been given about when The Greatest Showman might first appear on stage. However, it’s confirmed that Hercules the musical is set to premiere on London’s West End next year.

At the same event, they played a performance of the tune “The Greatest Show” from the movie “The Greatest Showman,” causing even more enthusiasm among the viewers who were already eagerly anticipating it.

As a long-time fan of musical films and someone who grew up watching and loving movies like “The Greatest Showman”, I couldn’t be more excited about the news that Disney Theatrical Group is currently developing a stage adaptation of this beloved movie! Having seen countless productions on Broadway, I know firsthand the magic that can be created when these stories come to life in a live setting. I can only imagine how incredible it will be to see P.T. Barnum’s tale of love, acceptance, and perseverance brought to the stage with all the spectacle and showmanship that Disney is known for. I can hardly wait to see this production and share the experience with others who, like me, have been captivated by the original film.
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) August 10, 2024

At present, there’s been no official announcement about who will be cast or if Hugh Jackman will be part of the upcoming production at all. Although Jackman is currently basking in the success of Deadpool and Wolverine at the box office, he has previously played a leading role as PT Barnum in the 2017 musical film.

In the movie, Jackman performed alongside Zac Efron, Zendaya, Keala Settle, and Rebecca Ferguson, among others. The storyline revolves around Barnum’s rise to fame in the entertainment world, where his creativity and groundbreaking concepts propelled him to the pinnacle of success.

The movie was inspired by the true tale of Barnum and was penned by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, who developed the story idea from Bicks. Upon its debut, it garnered numerous award nominations and eventually ranked as the fifth highest-earning live-action musical film ever, raking in $435 million globally.

It’s fair to conclude that the movie boasts a devoted following who can’t wait for its live theatre premiere.

Regarding Hercules, the upcoming West End Disney production is set to debut at Theatre Royal Drury Lane during summer 2025. This production has been expertly directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, who has previously made a name for himself with hit shows like The Book of Mormon and Some Like It Hot.

Drawing inspiration from the 1997 animated film, the West End production of Hercules will showcase music and lyrics by Alan Menken and David Zippel, with co-choreography led by Tanisha Scott. Additionally, a fresh script penned by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah is also part of the new adaptation.

2024-08-10 14:33

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