The Greatest Showman (musical)

The Greatest Showman
The New Musical
Production logo
Music	Benj Pasek Justin Paul
Lyrics	Benj Pasek Justin Paul
Book	Tim Federle
Setting	19th-century New York City
Basis	The Greatest Showman by Jenny Bicks Bill Condon The life of P. T. Barnum
Premiere	15 March 2026: Bristol Hippodrome
Productions	2026 Bristol

The Greatest Showman is an upcoming stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote the songs for the movie, and a book by Tim Federle, based on 20th Century Studios's 2017 film of the same name, which in turn is based on the life of P. T. Barnum, creator of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Background

On March 5, 2024, it was reported by Baz Bamigboye from Deadline Hollywood that the stage adaptation of the film was in development by Disney Theatrical Productions, opening in Bristol in Spring 2026 before heading to the West End and Broadway, following a workshop in Fall 2023. ^[1] On August 9, 2024, it was also announced at D23 Expo by Disney Theatricals with a performance of "The Greatest Show," the opening and closing number of the film which is also expected to do the same on stage. All songs from the film are expected to be included, with Pasek and Paul contributing five new songs to the production. The musical is also Disney's first stage adaptation of a 20th Century Studios film following The Walt Disney Company's 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox and its assets. ^[2]

Production

Bristol (2026)

On March 5, 2025, it was announced that the musical will have its world premiere in Spring 2026 at the Bristol Hippodrome. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with Alex Lacamoire as music supervisor and orchestrator, and the production will be produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. ^[3]

The production is expected to run from March 15 to May 10, 2026. Casting was announced on October 15, 2025, with Oliver Tompsett as Barnum, Samantha Barks as Charity, Lorna Courtney as Anne, Ben Joyce as Phillip, Vajèn van den Bosch as Jenny, Malinda Parris as Lettie, and Joshua St. Clair serving as Tompsett's alternate. ^[4]

Cast

Character	Bristol (2026)
P. T. Barnum	Oliver Tompsett
Charity Barnum	Samantha Barks
Anne Wheeler	Lorna Courtney
Phillip Carlyle	Ben Joyce
Jenny Lind	Vajèn van den Bosch
Lettie Lutz	Malinda Parris
Alternate P.T. Barnum	Josh St. Clair
Standby Anne Wheeler	Katie Tonkinson

See also

• Barnum – 1980 stage musical based on the life of P. T. Barnum

References

1. Bamigboye, Baz (2025-03-05). "Breaking Baz: World Premiere Of 'The Greatest Showman' Stage Musical With Five New Songs Will Open In UK In 2026 Ahead Of Disney Theatrical Taking To West End & Broadway". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
2. Moss (2024-08-10). "'The Greatest Showman' Currently in Development for a Stage Musical Adaptation". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
3. "Open auditions announced for The Greatest Showman musical". 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
4. Culwell-Block, Logan Meet the Cast of The Greatest Showman Stage Musical Playbill, October 15, 2025