The main cast has been found for the upcoming Broadway transfer of West End favorite Olivier Paddington the musicalwhich is scheduled to arrive at the Hirschfeld Theater starting March 30, 2027. Opening night is scheduled for April 18.
The show will be accompanied by its original intact titular bear; James Hameed will once again play the role of Young Man/Paddington (Hameed provides the character’s voice and remotely controls his facial puppets), and Arti Shah will reprise his stage performance as Paddington. Both won Oliviers for their work in the London production.
Kelvin Dukes (America’s Got Talent) as Tony, Drew Gehling (Waitress) as Mr. Brown, Allison Guinn (Operation Mincemeat) in the role of Lady Sloane, Tony Hale (Veep) like M. Curry, J. Quinton Johnson (Hamilton) as Grant, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (The Fantastic) in the role of Millicent Clyde, Zonya Love (The color purple) as Tanya, Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Waitress) as Mrs. Brown, Serena Parrish (Don’t say good luck) as Judy Brown, Tony winner Karen Ziemba (Contact) as Mrs. Bird, and Chip Zien (Harmony) like Mr. Gruber.
Additional casting, directed by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger, is to be announced. Annabelle Davis is Paddington’s casting consultant.
READ: Track-by-Track Breakdown: Tom Fletcher Shares Which One Paddington The musical songs were inspired by Paddington on screen
“We were completely blown away by the extraordinary artists we met throughout the casting process, as well as the warmth and enthusiasm with which everyone welcomed Paddington to Broadway. We truly have a dream company,” producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said in a joint statement. “And what’s been so exciting is seeing how each of them has responded to these wonderful characters, already finding their own humor and humanity and individuality in them. We can see how much they’re all going to bring to the show.
“We are also extremely proud to introduce Arti Shah and James Hameed to Broadway audiences. Our exceptional, award-winning duo spent years, alongside an extraordinary team of artists and technicians, developing and bringing to life Paddington itself. What they have accomplished together is truly remarkable.”
The musical, which brings Michael Bond’s children’s books and their award-winning film adaptations to the stage, features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale. Luke Sheppard will once again lead the Broadway bow, reuniting his West End creative team, including choreographer Ellen Kane, musical supervisor and orchestrator Matt Brind, set designer Tom Pye, costume designer Gabriella Slade, Paddington and puppet designer Tahra Zafar, lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Gareth Owen, video designer and animator Ash J Woodward and hair, wig and makeup designer Campbell Young Associates. The production will also feature physical bears and additional puppets by Audrey Brisson, with Aubrey Smalls as access coordinator.
The musical has become a major hit in London’s West End since its premiere there last year, thanks in part to a technical marvel from a lead character. The stage production brings the sentient teddy bear to life via a state-of-the-art robotic puppet head carried by a small performer, voiced by another performer off-stage. The musical was the big winner at this year’s Olivier Awards, winning seven categories in total, including Best Musical.
WATCH: Here’s your first look at Paddington Bear at Paddington the musical
Visit PaddingtonTheMusical.com.
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