Broadway adaptation of Greatest Showman film musical- Page 2

[verywellthensigh]

Posted: 8/12/24 at 3:09pm

Another "well known IP".  How thrilling. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/12/24 at 3:39pm

jo said: "They'll need a strong actor, with singing and dancing talent, if they are going to base it on the movie. PT Barnum was not very likable and was too obsessed with his ambitions.

It is doubtful that HughJackman will be involved. This was his passion project after Oscars producer Larry Mark suggested a Barnum musical to him when HJ was rehearsing his 2009 Oscars duties. Announced the project in 2009 but it was only released in 2017.

If the timetable is 2026, HJ will likely be filming his Wolverine role in an Avengers 6 MCU movie - not confirmed but subject of much speculation. Coming from the success of his latest movie (Deadpool&Wolverine, which has just crossed the milestone $ 1 Billion mark at the global box office), it is likely he will be involved in Avengers 6.

In the meantime, he is filming a comedy ( 3Bags Full :A Sheep Detective Movie) now, with Emma Thompson & Nicholas Galitzine. Of more interest is his next project "The Death of Robin Hood" with Jodie Comer, a rethinking of the last battles of RobinHood and his healing under the care of a mysterious woman. It is an action-drama movie.

Is it possible that they will cast the UK version of Greatest Showmanwith British musical theatre talent?

That will be a bit sad as the workshops for the movie were done with Jackman, Keala, CynthiaErivo, other Broadway actors and Loren Allred.(Never Enough) Interestingly, the first workshop included Keala, Aaron Tveit( as Philip) & Sutton as Charity.

We'll see.

"

I'm not convinced Jackman will be Wolverine too much more. But I'm not sure he'd be back for this musical, either. If Disney are going to be putting their money and resources into the show's development they're probably not going to want to rely on a star who could be n demand elsewhere at any given time. Maaayyyybe they could open in London with a local cast and then re-cast with Hugh when it transfers to Broadway? But even that would seem unlikely.

I also saw an article on BWW about how "fans" want to see Jeremy Jordan in the lead. That could work, but it would depend on how long he'll want to stick with The Great Gatsby

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/12/24 at 3:44pm

I could see Disney giving this to Jordan. He got a Tony nomination for Newsies and was very acclaimed in the role. He’s also done a voice in the Rapunzel series, so they already have a positive relationship.

[jo]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 12:35am

There is word on social media from fanboys that it seems Hugh Jackman has agreed to do more Wolverine movies ( presumably with Ryan R, with whom he has formed a professional alliance with director Shawn Levy) beyond Avengers. To be honest, I think what might have interested him is the possiblity that Disney could be his new "home studio" ( just as Fox was) - and he could be in musicals, adventure stories ( Levy is developing another StarWars movie) or join up with Harrison Ford, even dramatic movies as Disney itself is modernizing the film themes it supports. It is also an entry to movies directly streamed.  Whatever it is, his versatility could work well in future Disney movies. 

Btw, the new movie Deadpool&Wolverine has reached its $ 1 Billion milestone -- and it has spawned a so-called Jackman renaissance on social media - many of which are bactracking on his filmography..

I wonder when he will be less busy to go back to Broadway - maybe in a play?

[jo]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 12:48am

Here's an interesting link to musical theatre --

Hugh Jackman was discovered by the producer of the 1st XMen movie (and subsequent movies)  LaurenShulerDonner in the musical revival of Oklahoma! in London...and suggested him as replacement to the injured Dougray Scott ( who was cast as the first Wolverine). Guess who helped HJ during his visit to the Canadian studio for his audition - it was Donner's assistant named Kevin Feige. Feige is of course now the president of Marvel Studios.

[Ensemble1723266984]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 2:49am

Exciting news about The Greatest Showman on Broadway! 🎭 Even if Hugh Jackman isn’t leading, it’s sure to be amazing. His return as Wolverine is already a hit—looking forward to this stage adaptation!

[Voter]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:39pm

Ryan Vasquez posted on his Instagram story that he was at Disney Theatrical Group offices today. He performed at D23 this year to promote Greatest Showman stage musical in the works. 

Greatest Showman stage musical coming 2027 season? Workshop? Out of town tryout?

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:48pm

Voter said: "Ryan Vasquez posted on his Instagram story that he was at Disney Theatrical Group offices today. He performed at D23 this year to promote Greatest Showman stage musical in the works.

Greatest Showman stage musical coming 2027 season? Workshop? Out of town tryout?"

It's probably just a coincidence, but Hugh Jackman posted a clip on Twitter of him rehearsing for his upcoming concert series, and the song was "Come Alive" from The Greatest Showman

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 7:30am

Set to premiere in Bristol in March 26th, 2026 ahead of planned West End and Broadway runs

Casey Nicholaw will direct and choreograph; Tim Federle will write the book, and Pasek and Paul have written five new songs for the show.

Updated On: 3/5/25 at 07:30 AM

[inception]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 8:05am

How much do they save by doing all the tryout work in the UK?  Is it in the millions of dollars? Or just 100's of thousands?

[DaveyG]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 9:07am

inception said: "How much do they save by doing all the tryout workin the UK? Is it in the millions of dollars? Or just 100's ofthousands?"

My understanding is that it's approximately half price. If something costs 10 million USD to develop and produce in London it will cost 20-22 million USD in America. 

[hyangsoo]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 9:07am

Several millions

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/5/25 at 1:39pm

Disney Theatricals might as well appoint Nicholaw as Artistic Director or Director in Residence at this point. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 10:48pm

After how Aladdin turned out, I’m confident he won’t mess up.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/7/25 at 6:15am

Aladdin for me was an unwatchable mess

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/15/25 at 8:21am

Will now premiere at Bristol Hippodrome March 15; Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks to lead.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/15/25 at 8:39am

Tompsett, Barks, and Lorna Courtney are all excellent and I wish them well, but the radio-ready pop schlock score is what turns me off to this show.

I’m part of the team that very much would like to see a Barnum revival instead, since it’s one of the more underrated musical successes of the 1980s

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/15/25 at 8:45am

Jamie Muscato did readings as Carlyle before Ben Joyce replaced him.

Muscato is a rising star and I hope NY gets to see him in something, someday.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 9:21am

So...

I was at the first public performance last night in Bristol and wow! For a first performance, that was flawless. No show stops, no mess-ups, nothing. There's so much to talk about, so I will put some of it below:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

All of the songs from the film are still in, along with five new songs. Three in Act 1, and two in Act 2. There's no song list in the programme, so that likely means that there will either be additions or cuts/rewrites to the new songs.

• Act 1 Songs
  • "Dust and the Dirt" - Barnum's Hype-up/I Want Song. Very pop/musical vibes. 
  • "Skybound" - Anne's introduction song. Very theatrically jazz-like.
  • "The Show Goes On" - Act 1 Finale. Classic musical theatre. Leaves the audience wanting more (but having to wait through the interval). 
• Act 2 Songs
  • "Unusual" - Act 2 Opener. Takes place when Barnum and the group meet Queen Victoria.
  • "Undeniable" - Upbeat pop number. 

The book is pretty strong. Lives up to the film plot with some rewrites to make it more convenient for the stage. 

Casey Nicolaw's direction/choreography is probably the best I have seen in his work. The acrobatic work was unbelievable. 

The cast! SHEER PERFECTION! Most don't know Oliver Tompsett worldwide, but they will after this! I hope he continues wherever this show goes! Samantha Barks is also perfect as Charity. Ben Joyce and Lorna Cortney have beautiful chemistry together! Their "Rewrite the Stars" was unbelievable. 

Overall, was it perfect? No, but nothing is at this stage, but it's in really good shape. Hope it moves to London later this year because I would do nothing more than see it again! 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 1:01pm

I read a lot of responses on Theatre Board UK, and it seems that the consensus from the first performance is that it is a very safe and standard movie to stage adaptation, and that even with the financial resources that Disney has, there’s nothing completely inventive or revolutionary about it. There were comparisons to Come Alive, the live show that is inspired by the movie, and how that was a lot more impressive than what they saw last night. Just relaying what was said over there in case nobody has perused those comments and initial reactions. 

[Jg2019]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 1:11pm

BwayLB said: "After how Aladdin turned out, I’m confident he won’t mess up."

aladdin might’ve been a success but it’s a cheap production. the set looks like cardboard boxes 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 4:30pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "there’s nothing completely inventive or revolutionary about it."

Sounds like Nicholaw!

[BwayLB]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 5:10pm

Jg2019 said: "BwayLB said: "After how Aladdin turned out, I’m confident he won’t mess up."

aladdin might’ve been a success but it’s a cheap production. the set looks like cardboard boxes"

I still appreciate the show for what is is

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/16/26 at 6:07pm

I will say the last portion of "Tuck Everlasting" was quite gorgeous as was the design for that production. However, nothing before or after that he's directed has been particularly interesting in that regard. Book of Mormon looks cheap. Aladdin looks cheap. The Prom was.. The Prom. Mean Girl was pretty meh too.