Paddington at the Al Hirschfeld

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 4:33pm

Expect an announcement very soon.. even as soon as this weekend when it wins at the Oliviers.

Updated On: 4/7/26 at 04:33 PM

[malcs98]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 5:07pm

Dolly80 said: "Expect an announcement very soon.. even as soon asthis weekend when it wins at the Oliviers."

How do you know this? Do you have a solid inside source?

Updated On: 4/7/26 at 05:07 PM

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 5:17pm

that checks out - I was told in the next 10 days so before next Friday (april 17)

[DaveyG]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 5:29pm

I've heard the same. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 5:35pm

I’ve heard this won’t be happening until mid 2027. Who knows what’ll happen but will be interesting to see if any kind of announcement made this early. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 5:51pm

It’ll probably take 6 months to clean out all the glitter and confetti from the Al Hirschfeld once Moulin Rouge shutters.

[inception]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 6:05pm

Seems like something they would want open for the holidays

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 6:13pm

I've heard this as well, but not opening until Spring 2027. Does Moulin extend it's closing a few months?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 10:12pm

I've only heard small snippets of a couple songs from this show thus far, and it sounds surprisingly good. It's been very hard to avoid most anything related to the musical since the fall, and the full cast album comes out this week, but I'd rather wait until NY gets a confirmed venue and first preview + opening dates. 

I can't make it out to London, so I'll just have to hope as much of the originals come over as possible. 

Updated On: 4/7/26 at 10:12 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 10:21pm

Curious to see how they un-Rogue the front of the building. 

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:29am

EDSOSLO858 said: "I've only heard small snippets of a couple songs from this show thus far, and it sounds surprisingly good."

From the three songs I've heard, I don't happen to agree (especially compared to scores from other shows that might appeal to a younger audience like "Matilda", or "Seussical", or "The Lion King"). 

There is one ear worm moment that DOES make me smile, though. In the song, "Pretty Little Dead Things", at the refrain, the ensemble sings, "woo-hoo" in harmony. It gets repeated many times in the song and for some reason, I just love it.

 

[bwaylvsong1]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:42am

Is Paddington really a known entity in the USA? Do we think this could sell on name value or will it primarily be hoping for success based on the acclaim in the UK?

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:45am

RippedMan said: "Curious to see how they un-Rogue the front of the building."

I heard the 'Lamour' sign is just a very large vinyl decal. That'll probably be gone come August 1st, unless they extend. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 8:45am

Jordan Catalano said: "I’ve heard this won’t be happening until mid 2027. Who knows what’ll happen but will be interesting to see if any kind of announcement made this early."

The timeline seems to be shifting. I was actually originally told by someone helming the transfer that they were looking to land in the St. James in November, so I’m curious if the Hirschfeld is actually what they wanted, or if TITANIQUÉ had plans on extending just long enough to kneecap the original opening plans

[Ptero2]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 10:09am

I saw this in London without knowing much about Paddington and thought it was just okay. Feels like a show made by committee to maximize brand value and minimize risk, which is fine I guess.

They've definitely poured a ton of money into it, it looks GREAT, and the cast is pretty excellent. Score is mostly forgettable outside of Pretty Little Dead Things which is a banger of a villain song. I'm kind of doubtful the reception will be quite as rapturous in the States where people don't tend to have much of an emotional attachment to the property.

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 10:27am

bwaylvsong1 said: "Is Paddington really a known entity in the USA"

Many people raised a similar question when "Avenue Q" was set to open in the West End.

IMO, the subject matter of a show doesn't require previous familiarity, or cultural popularity. If it did, many shows would never be, or have been seen.

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:02am

Paddington the literary/media property is less of the draw in the US than "that robot bear" will be. It has the potential to be Grogu for theatre.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:05am

tacotheatrelover said: "RippedMan said: "Curious to see how they un-Rogue the front of the building."

I heard the 'Lamour' sign is just a very large vinyl decal. That'll probably be gone come August 1st, unless they extend."

Ah! Very smart! That's what I was curious about. 

[Tag]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:11am

There isn't the cultural relevance in the US for this to do well.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:17am

bwaylvsong1 said: "Is Paddington really a known entity in the USA? Do we think this could sell on name value or will it primarily be hoping for success based on the acclaim in the UK?"

Who would’ve thought Back to the Future, one of the most well known American IPs, would do better in the West End than on Broadway?!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:18am

The show's staggering costs are an uphill battle but the first two Paddington films have become massive for families in the years since their release, and are nearly as big in basic culturista circles as a badge of appreciating things that are good in a "pure" unpretentious way. I think the name recognition is a hell of a lot higher than most IP musicals of the post-Covid era. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 11:22am

darquegk said: "Paddington the literary/media property is less of the draw in the US than "that robot bear" will be. It has the potential to be Grogu for theatre."

Correct. And the production has clearly positioned Paddington the stage effect as the selling point, not merely Paddington the property itself. 
 

IP may get some people in the door initially, but you need something more to get a wider net and make sure people keep coming. An impressive production element does that. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 12:21pm

Agreed! Never seen the films or read the books but color me interested! 

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 12:25pm

Tag said: "There isn't the cultural relevance in the US for this to do well."

The same was argued for Operation Mincemeat - and here we are 14 months and 7 extensions later.

With regards to cost, considering it was developed in the UK, that would bring down the overall costs that would normally come with development since it’s already been frozen. They just need to ensure they are making prices family friendly and not trying to gouge. It’s a truly wonderful show, but my biggest fear is going to be them pricing out the key demo

Updated On: 4/8/26 at 12:25 PM

[Owen22]

Posted: 4/8/26 at 1:48pm

Paddington is fine. Some fun songs. And adorable bear. But a terribly overstuffed second act which just made me want the evening to end.  And the fully superior Matilda did not last long on Broadway.