The beloved “Karate Child” franchise is headed to the British stage subsequent spring, with a significant nationwide tour set to kick off in April 2026.
Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax have revealed that “The Karate Child – The Musical” will make its U.Okay. premiere with an intensive tour previous to deliberate West Finish and Broadway productions.
Written by Robert Mark Kamen, who penned the unique 1984 movie that starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, the musical options music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini. The manufacturing reimagines the coming-of-age story by means of motion and music, centered on the mentor-student relationship between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi.
“William Goldman stated about Hollywood ‘Nobody is aware of something.’ He was proper,” Kamen stated. “Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the unique script for ‘The Karate Child,’ we’d see these exact same characters performing and singing on the British stage in a narrative that’s as recent and universally related because it was 4 many years in the past.”
The unique movie turned a cultural phenomenon following its theatrical launch, incomes Morita an Academy Award nomination for greatest supporting actor. The franchise has since expanded to incorporate three sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, the Netflix sequence “Cobra Kai” (2018-2025), and this yr’s sixth movie, “Karate Child: Legends.”
The musical acquired its world premiere in St. Louis in 2022, taking part in to sold-out homes and rave evaluations.
Amon Miyamoto directs, with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. The Tony Award-winning design crew consists of scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Ayako Maeda, lighting designer Bradley King, sound designer Kai Harada and projection designer Peter Nigrini. John Clancy offers orchestrations, with music supervision and preparations by Andrew Resnick and wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman.
The present opens April 28, 2026 at New Wimbledon Theatre earlier than visiting 11 cities throughout England, Scotland and Wales by means of Aug. 1. The tour schedule consists of stops in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff.
