A stage musical adaptation of The Greatest Showman is currently in development. Disney Theatrical Group made this announcement during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim where a cast performed “The Greatest Show,” the signature song from the film. The stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman will feature the Academy Award®-nominated songs of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The production timetable, creative team, and cast will be announced at a later date.
The news came as Disney On Broadway celebrated its 30th anniversary with a medley of performances and exclusive announcements from its hit stage musicals. Some of the highlights included performances from The Lion King, Aladdin, and Hercules, which will open in London’s West End in Summer 2025. It was also announced Frozen was filmed on stage and will premiere on Disney+ in 2025.
The Greatest Showman stars Hugh Jackman in a bold and original musical – inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum – celebrating the birth of show business and dreams coming to life. Barnum was a visionary who rose from nothing to create the “Greatest Show on Earth”, a spectacle and celebration of his larger-than-life imagination that captivated audiences around the globe. Growing up in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum displays a natural talent for publicity and promotion, selling lottery tickets by age 12. After trying his hands at various jobs, P.T. turns to show business to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. Featuring catchy musical numbers, exotic performers and daring acrobatic feats, Barnum’s mesmerizing spectacle soon takes the world by storm to become the greatest show on Earth.
The Greatest Showman is the first 20th Century Fox film to be adapted for the stage by Disney. Fox Stage Productions was taken over by Disney Theatrical Productions after The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of the assets of 21st Century Fox in March 2019.
Prior to the announcement of The Greatest Showman being in development, Disney Theatrical premiered Frozen on Broadway in 2018. However, the show did not return after the pandemic forced all Broadway shows to close for 18 months. Disney has also had other Broadway shows including Aida, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Newsies and more. Most shows have gone on from Broadway to national tours and international productions.
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