Full Cast Announced for UK Premiere Tour of THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL
For Immediate Release
FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR UK PREMIERE TOUR OF
THE KARATE KID THE MUSICAL
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BASED ON THE COLUMBIA PICTURES MOTION PICTURE THE KARATE KID WRITTEN BY ROBERT MARK KAMEN Book by Robert Mark Kamen Music & Lyrics by Drew Gasparini
UK TOUR FROM 28 APRIL | CANADIAN PREMIERE FROM SEPTEMBER PRIOR TO THE WEST END AND BROADWAY |
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Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane and Leo Stages today announce the full casting for the UK premiere production of THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL. Based on the smash hit Columbia Pictures motion picture, this new stage adaptation features a book by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 film that launched a 40-year global franchise, and music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini. The production will embark on a UK tour beginning in April 2026, before heading to Toronto from September, where it will make its Canadian premiere. Adrian Pang will lead the company as Mr. Miyagi, with Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso, Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver as Freddie Fernandez. The ensemble includes Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh. Adrian Pang is an acclaimed Singaporean performer whose extensive stage career spans the UK and Asia. Credits include the title roles in Hamlet and Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, The Grand Babylon Hotel, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and The God of Carnage. In 2024 he portrayed Ying Ruocheng in the world premiere of Salesman in China at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, later reprising the role at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Gino Ochello, a Gibraltar-born performer and singer makes his professional stage debut as Daniel LaRusso. Abigail Amin a recent Arts Ed graduate, recently completed filming James Graham’s feature film Ink directed by Danny Boyle. Joe Simmons also recently graduated from ArtsEd, with credits including Cruel Intentions (UK Tour) and Pippin (West End). Matt Mills’ theatre credits include MJ the Musical (West End), Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (West End), Motown the Musical (UK Tour) and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (UK Tour). Sharon Sexton is an award-winning Irish West End performer, best known for originating the role of Sloane in Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell: The Musical in the West End and internationally. Her extensive UK theatre credits include Donna in Mamma Mia! (international tour), A Night with Janis Joplin (Peacock Theatre), The Liza Minnelli Story (Edinburgh Fringe/UK Tour) and the original cast of The Commitments (West End). She has performed widely in concert, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall and with the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra. The UK tour opens at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 28 April before visiting Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff until 1 August. The Toronto season opens in September. Tickets are on sale at all venues. The original 1984 film, The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi was a global box office success and critical triumph, earning Morita an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The story fast became a cultural phenomenon, launching a major global franchise that has included three movie sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan and the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018 – 2025). Most recently, Karate Kid: Legends starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio was released in cinemas in 2025. THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL received its world premiere at STAGES St. Louis, USA in 2022, playing to sold-out houses and critical acclaim. Honouring the roots of the timeless story, this new musical celebrates resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations. Daniel is the new kid in town trying to fit in until he becomes the target of Cobra Kai’s relentless star student, Johnny. Underestimated and outmatched, Daniel struggles to find his footing, until Ali, Johnny’s ex, sees something in Daniel that no one else does. As Johnny refuses to step aside, teenage rivalry turns into something more sinister. Daniel discovers guidance from Mr. Miyagi who teaches him that karate isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance, respect and that the greatest victories are won from within. Featuring a Tony Award®-winning design team and an electrifying new score, this coming-of-age masterpiece is reimagined for the stage with stunning artistry and ground-breaking choreography. Written by Robert Mark Kamen with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL is directed by Amon Miyamoto, with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervisor and arrangements by Andrew Resnick. Produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane, and Leo Stages. Helen Snell e. helen@helensnell.com | 020 7240 5537 Website: thekaratekidthemusicalUK.com IG & TT: @thekaratekidmusical | FB: The Karate Kid The Musical | X: @TKKMusical BIOGRAPHIES ROBERT MARK KAMEN - Book Robert Mark Kamen was born in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from the public school system of that city, received his BA from NYU in Literature, and his Masters and Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1979 he sold the first screenplay he ever wrote to Warner Bros. Over the past 40 years Robert has written 23 feature films among them: Taps; The Karate Kid 1, 2, 3, and 5; The Power of One; Lethal Weapon 3; A Walk In The Clouds; The Fifth Element; Transporter 1, 2, 3; Taken 1, 2, 3. With the proceeds from his first screenplay, Robert purchased 300 acres of raw land in Sonoma California in the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the San Francisco Bay. In 1980 he planted a 50-acre organic vineyard on the land, which today produces highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines. DREW GASPARINI - Music & Lyrics Drew Gasparini (music & lyrics) is an award-winning composer/lyricist, a playwright, and performer best known for his work in musical theatre. Drew has written the scores for musicals such as The Karate Kid: The Musical (book by Robert Mark Kamen); Night Shift (commissioned by Warner Bros.); Crazy Just Like Me (NYMF “best of fest” winner); Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical (starring Michael C Hall); and with his friend and writing partner, Alex Brightman, Drew has written the music and lyrics for Its Kind of a Funny Story (based on the Ned Vizzini novel); the Off-Broadway show Life & Slimes (New World Stages); The Whipping Boy (based on the Sid Fleischman novel); Make Me Bad (a musical psychological thrilled); and recently they’d just begun work on a new musical called Captain (loosely based on the lore of Captain Hook). Drew’s song cycle I Could Use a Drink (based on his popular theatre concept album) performed on the West End at the Garrick Theatre, and in April 2025, Drew’s new musical We Aren’t Kids Anymore (starring Dylan Mulvaney, Aimie Atkinson and more) played to packed houses at the Savoy Theater. Drew was a songwriter for season two of the cult-favourite SMASH. In 2023 Drew wrote the song Somewhere, Anywhere for the successful booking.com ad campaign starring Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy. Coming up: Drew’s newest musical The Unthought Known, and Drew’s first novel: a dramedy called Fathomless Space. AMON MIYAMOTO - Director Amon Miyamoto became the first Japanese director to direct a musical on Broadway for his staging of the revival, Pacific Overtures, which received four Tony nominations. He has directed numerous productions in Japan and worldwide, from musicals, straight plays, opera, and kabuki, as well as other art genres. In 2010, he directed The Fantasticks in the West End. His recent works in New York include a play version of The Temple of the Golden Pavilions, a stage adaptation of Yukio Mishima’s novel of the same time, at Lincoln Centre Festival in 2011. In 2013, he made a European opera debut with Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Landestheater Liz in Austria. For Opéra national du Rhin, he directed Toshiro Mayuzumi’s opera Le Pavilion d’or in 2018, and Parsifal in 2020. His new direction of the opera Madae Butterfly played at the Semperoper Opera House in Dresden, Germany in 2022, and San Francisco Opera in 2023. KEONE & MARI MADRID - Choreography The Madrids are an award-winning creative team, as well as husband, wife & parents. Their ability to tell stories through detailed choreography has permeated beyond the dance world and into theatre, music, film, tv and online platforms. From directing, to writing, to editing, to color and vfx, to producing, performing, and beyond, the Madrids are now expanding their reach as filmmakers, and show makers. Notable work includes: Disney’s animated short Us Again, starring/choreographing Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” music video, Usher, Jungkook, several BTS songs, Billie Eilish, Flying Lotus & Kendrick Lamar, Omar Apollo, Ed Sheeran, MTV Video Music Awards nominees, Broadway,several Kpop artists such as Stray Kids, NCT, Seventeen, Riize, Ateez, Enhypen, MonstaX, SHINee, TXT, + more - UK Video Music Awards nominees, Cirque, World of Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars, Netflix, Nike, Beats By Dre, viral videos, multiple champions at major dance competitions and more. Their online work has amassed over billions of views. Most recently, Keone and Mari directed and/or choreographed three theatre shows including the Drama Desk Nominated Beyond Babel, the Britney spears broadway musical Once Upon a One More Time, and the Broadway-bound The Karate Kid musical. Additionally, “Us Again,” a Disney animated short film told entirely through music and dance, was shortlisted for an Academy Award and won the NAACP Image Award for Animated Short Film. Two shorts films that they directed/wrote, Lolo and Roboto received awards at numerous film festivals and played at Oscar-qualifying festivals. Keone is creative director and choreographer for Omar Apollo’s new album and tour God Said No. Keone is also creative director for new American boyband “Full Circle Boys.” DEREK MCLANE - Scenic Design Derek McLane is an Emmy and Tony Award winning production designer for Broadway and television, who’s nearly 350 designs include: Broadway credits such as MJ, The Michael Jackson Musical, Moulin Rouge! (Tony Award), A Soldier’s Play (Tony Nomination), American Son, Parisian Woman, The Price, Beautiful, Fully Committed, Noises Off, Gigi, 33 Variations (with Jane Fonda), (Tony Award), China Doll (with Al Pacino), How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying (with Daniel Radcliffe), Follies, Anything Goes, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (with Robin Williams), Ragtime, The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife. Off-Broadway: Buried Child, Jerry Springer the Opera, Merrily We Roll Along, The Spoils, If I Forget, Love, Love, Love; The Night of the Iguana, Sweet Charity, Buried Child, Into the Woods, Ruined, The Last Five Years. Television: 6 years of Academy Awards, NBC Musicals: The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz & Hairspray. Derek is the Chairman of the Board of The New Group Theatre. His many awards include: 2 Tony Awards, 2 Emmy’s, 2 Obie’s, 2 Drama Desks, 3 Lucille Lortel Awards, and 3 Art Directors Guild Awards. AYAKO MAEDA - Costume Design Ayako Maeda is a multi award-winning costume designer based in Japan. She has designed numerous plays, operas, ballets, and musical productions, working with directors from all over the world. She has received many prestigious awards in Japan including the Kisaku Ito Award, Yomiuri Theater Grand Prize (10th, 25th, 28th and 30th Best Design), Kinokuniya Theatre Award, Akiko Tachibana Creative Staff Award, and more. Her recent works include Final Take, Tokyo Godfathers, and Richard II, for New National Theatre in Tokyo. She is a long-time collaborator of Amon Miyamoto and has designed many shows for him including The Fantasticks, Urinetown, Sweeney Todd, Gray Gardens and other operas and plays. She studied under Kikuko Ogata as well as in England as an overseas trainee in receipt of a grant from the Agency of Cultural Affairs. BRADLEY KING - Lighting Design Bradley King is a New York-based international lighting designer for live performance. His award-winning work has been seen on and off Broadway, across the United States and around the world. A passionate developer of new musicals, his past and frequent collaborators include Rachel Chavkin, Saheem Ali, Taibi Magar, Jess Stone, Sammi Cannold, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jesse Robb, and James Lapine. KAI HARADA - Sound Design Kai Harada is a Tony Award-winning sound designer. Broadway credits: Ragtime; Dead Outlaw; A Wonderful World; Once Upon a Mattress; The Days of Wine and Roses; Merrily We Roll Along (Tony Nomination); Spamalot (co-design with Haley Parcher); New York, New York (Tony Nomination); Kimberly Akimbo; The Old Man and the Pool; Mister Saturday Night; Head Over Heels; The Band’s Visit (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award); Amélie; Sunday in the Park With George; Allegiance; Gigi; Fun Home; On the Town; First Date; Follies (Tony, Drama Desk Nominations); and Million Dollar Quartet. West End credits: Crazy For You; Million Dollar Quartet. Other: The Sound of Music (Tour); Peter Pan (Tour); The Karate Kid (Stages St. Louis); Soft Power (Public Theatre, CTG); The Light in the Piazza, Candide (L.A. Opera); The Black Clown (ART); Zorro (Moscow; Atlanta); Hinterm Horizont (Berlin); many musicals at City Center Encores! and the Kennedy Center. Education: Yale University. PETER NIGRINI - Projection Design Peter Nigrini has been, for the past twenty years, a pioneer in the integration of projection and live performance. Some of his designs on Broadway include Chess, Tommy, Hell’s Kitchen, Here Lies Love, MJ: The Musical, Ain’t Too Proud, Beetlejuice, The Spongebob Squarepants Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, A Doll’s House Part 2, Fela!, and Gore Vidal’s The Best Man. Some projects of note in other venues include Grounded directed by Julie Taymor for the New York Public Theater, Lucia di Lammermoor and Don Giovanni at the Santa Fe Opera, and a series of adaptations with Robert Woodruff including Dostoyevsky’s Notes from Underground, Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, and Fassbinder’s In a Year of Thirteen Moons. He has been nominated for five Tony Awards and won a Lortel, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk, a Jeff and an Obie. In addition to his work in the theater, he also designs in other contexts and mediums, including Deep Blue Sea, for Bill T. Jones in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro at the Park Avenue Armory, the Grace Jones Hurricane Tour, Hans Zimmer Live 2022-2024, and Real Enemies, a multi-media piece conceived with Darcy James Argue and Isaac Butler for The Secret Society. Additionally, he was a founding member of the New York troupe, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, for which he designed every aspect of their productions including No Dice, Romeo and Juliet, and the multi-part work Life & Times. TOMMY KURZMAN – Hair and Wig Design Broadway: Uncle Vanya, I Need That, Gutenberg: The Musical!, The Cottage, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Pictures From Home, The Collaboration, Macbeth, Mrs. Doubtfire, All My Sons, True West, St. Joan, My Fair Lady, Little Foxes, Long Day’s Journey, Bright Star, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof. Off-Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Romy & Michele - The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors (Westside Theatre), Titaniqué, Roundabout, MCC, MTC, The Atlantic, The New Group, The Public, New World Stages. Regional: The MUNY, Goodspeed Musicals, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Huntington and Arena Stage. Numerous wigs built for Film & Television. |
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THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL UK TOUR 2026 Tue 28 April – Sat 9 May WIMBLEDON New Wimbledon Theatre 93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/wimbledon Tue 12 - Sat 23 May MANCHESTER Palace Theatre 97 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT atgtickets.com/manchester Tue 26 – Sat 30 May LEEDS Grand Theatre 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU leedsheritagetheatres.com | 0113 243 0808 Tue 2 – Sat 6 June LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JE atgtickets.com/liverpool Tue 9 – Sat 13 June OXFORD New Theatre 24-26 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AG atgtickets.com/oxford Tue 16 – Sat 20 June MILTON KEYNES Milton Keynes Theatre 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes Tue 23 – Sat 27 June EDINBURGH Festival Theatre 13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT capitaltheatres.com | 0131 529 6000 Tue 30 June – Sat 4 July GLASGOW Theatre Royal 297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN atgtickets.com/Glasgow Tue 7 – Sat 11 July SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA Tue 14 – Sat 18 July SUNDERLAND Empire 4-5 High St, West Sunderland SR1 3EX atgtickets.com/sunderland Tue 21 – Sat 25 July BIRMINGHAM The Alexandra Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS atgtickets.com/birmingham Tue 28 July – Sat 1 August CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL wmc.org.uk | 029 2063 6464
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