Disney Theatrical Group’s stage adaptation of “The Greatest Showman” will open at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027, following a sold-out run at the Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year.
The musical, based on the 2017 movie from 20th Century Studios and written by Jenny Bicks, will feature songs by EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Children’s and Family Emmy Award nominee Tim Federle and direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw.
Oliver Tompsett will star as P.T. Barnum with Samantha Barks as Charity Barnum. (Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams played the roles in the original musical movie, respectively.) Tompsett’s numerous theater credits include the musical adaptation of “A Knight’s Tale” and “Ghost” in the U.K.; he made his Broadway debut in “& Juliet” as Shakespeare. Barks just wrapped a run as Fantine in the arena concert tour of “Les Misérables” and played Elsa in the stage adaptation of Disney’s “Frozen” in the West End, which was captured for Disney+.
The cast will also include Ben Joyce as Phillip Carlyle — P.T. Barnum’s young business partner, portrayed by Zac Efron in the film. Vajèn van den Bosch will be Jenny Lind — the Swedish opera singer, played by Rebecca Ferguson in the movie. Malinda Parris will be Lettie Lutz — also known as the Bearded Lady in Barnum’s circus, played by Keala Settle in the film.
Additional casting will be announced. Casting is by Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting. Keston & Keston serves as children’s casting director and general manager, with the 7 Fingers handling acrobat casting.
The production will feature Pasek and Paul’s songs from the film, including “The Greatest Show,” “A Million Dreams,” “Come Alive,” “Rewrite the Stars,” “Never Enough” and the Oscar-nominated “This Is Me,” along with new tunes written for the stage adaptation.
“The Greatest Showman” marks the first 20th Century Studios title to be adapted for the stage by Disney Theatrical Group. The Seelig Group, which produced the original film, is also producing the musical.
Alex Lacamoire will serve as music supervisor, with incidental and dance music arrangements and orchestrations, while Paul will provide vocal and incidental music arrangements.
The creative team will also include scenic designer David Korins; costume designers Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser; lighting designer Natasha Katz; sound designer Peter Hylenski; video designer George Reeve; circus creation and design by Lorenzo Pisoni; hair and wig designer Josh Marquette; makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira; special effects designer Jeremy Chernick; and illusions designer Skylar Fox.
Pasek and Paul are best known to Broadway lovers as the conceivers and composer-lyricists of “Dear Evan Hansen,” for which they won the Tony for best score. The show also won the Tony for Best Musical. The duo took home a Primetime Emmy for their song “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from the series “Only Murders in the Building.” Pasek and Paul won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for “Dear Evan Hansen” and an Oscar for their lyrics to the best original song “City of Stars” from the film “La La Land.”
Book writer Federle began his career as a performer before writing the book for Broadway’s “Tuck Everlasting.” He is also the creator of Disney’s series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
“The Greatest Showman” continues Disney Theatrical Group’s association with Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which reopened in 2021 following an extensive restoration.
Performance schedules and on-sale dates will be announced at a later date. Audiences can sign up for priority booking at the production’s official website.
There are currently no plans announced for a Broadway run.
The Seelig Group has been a partner of 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures since 2012 and also finances content at other studios. Disney Theatrical Group is led by Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart. The company currently produces “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” on Broadway.
