The Greatest Showman Stage Musical to Premiere in 2026
The highly anticipated stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman will make its world premiere in spring 2026 at the Bristol Hippodrome. Based on the 2017 hit film, the musical will bring the spectacle and energy of P. T. Barnum’s circus to life on stage, featuring the award-winning songs that made the film a global phenomenon.
Creative Team Behind the Stage Adaptation
The stage musical boasts a world-class creative team, including:
Music & Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, The Greatest Showman)
Book: Tim Federle (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)
Direction & Choreography: Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Aladdin)
Pasek and Paul, who won a Golden Globe for “This Is Me,” have written additional songs for the stage adaptation. The show will feature beloved hits such as:
The Greatest Show
A Million Dreams
Come Alive
Rewrite the Stars
This Is Me
Artwork for The Greatest Showman supplied by 20th Century Studios
As Paul confirmed in an interview with WhatsOnStage, the stage production will introduce brand-new musical numbers alongside all the original favorites.
A Major Collaboration with Disney Theatrical & Seelig Group
The Greatest Showman musical will mark the first stage adaptation of a 20th Century Studios film by Disney Theatrical Group, in partnership with the Seelig Group, which produced the original film.
This production continues Disney Theatrical’s legacy at the Bristol Hippodrome, which has previously hosted the world premiere of Mary Poppins and the launch of UK tours for The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
the Beast.
The Legacy of The Greatest Showman
Originally directed by Michael Gracey, with a screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, The Greatest Showman starred:
Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum
Zendaya as Anne Wheeler
Zac Efron as Phillip Carlyle
Michelle Williams as Charity Barnum
Keala Settle as Lettie Lutz
The film was a box office sensation, grossing $435 million worldwide, and its soundtrack dominated music charts, becoming the best-selling album of 2018 and the first number-one album of 2019.
When & Where to See The Greatest Showman Musical
World Premiere: Spring 2026
Venue: Bristol Hippodrome and London venue TBC
Additional Dates & Casting: To be announced
As excitement builds for one of the most highly anticipated stage musicals of the decade, further details on casting, additional tour dates, and ticket sales will be revealed in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on The Greatest Showman as it prepares to take the stage in spectacular fashion.
