The Greatest Showman (musical)

The Greatest Showman is a 2026 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, which is a heavily fictionalized depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum (later of Barnum & Bailey Circus), a showman and entertainer from humble roots, up to the point when he created his first circus.

On March 5, 2024, Baz Bamigboye of Deadline Hollywood reported that a stage adaptation of the film was in development by Disney Theatrical Productions, set to premiere in Bristol, England, in Spring 2026 before heading to the West End and Broadway, following a workshop in Fall 2023.^[1] On August 9, 2024, at D23 Expo, Disney Theatricals staged a performance of "The Greatest Show", the opening and closing number of the film, which is also expected to open and close the show on stage. All of the songs from the film are expected to be included, with the film's songwriters, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, contributing five new songs. 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.^[2]

The musical is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2026 at the Bristol Hippodrome, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with Alex Lacamoire as music supervisor and orchestrator, and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.^[3]

The production officially began performances on 15 March 2026, and is expected to run through 10 May. Casting includes 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 as alternate Barnum.^[4]

• Barnum – Musical about Barnum; premiered on Broadway in 1980