The Broadway-aimed stage musical adaptation of The Karate Kid begins its world premiere engagement at Stages St. Louis May 25, with opening night set for June 1. Based on the 1984 film, the work features a book by Robert Mark Kamen (who wrote the film's screenplay) and a score by Drew Gasparini.
Starring are Jovanni Sy as Mr. Miyagi, John Cardoza as Daniel LaRusso, Tony nominee Kate Baldwin as Lucille LaRusso, Alan H. Green as John Kreese, Jake Bentley Young as Johnny Lawrence, Jetta Juriansz as Ali Mills, and Luis Pablo Garcia as Freddie Fernandez. Get a first look at the production below.
Rounding out the company are Manik Anand, Trevor James, Leah Berry, Caitlyn Caughell, Kristina Garvida Doucette, Zachary Downer, Francis Florendo, Kayla Jenerson, Sydney Jones, Josh Hoon Lee, Noah Lentini, Garrick Goce Macatangay, Kelly MacMillan, Abby Matsusaka, Justice Moore, Omar Nieves, Jackson Kanawha Perry, Isidro Rafael, Sangeetha Santhebennur, and Victor Carrillo Tracey.
Amon Miyamoto is at the helm, leading a creative team that includes choreographers Keone and Mari Madrid, scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Ayako Maeda, lighting designer Bradley King, sound designer Kai Harada, projection designer Peter Nigrini, orchestrator John Clancy, and music director Andrew Resnick, who is also supplying arrangements.
Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, and Michael Wolk are producing.
The 1984 film, which starred Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, and Elisabeth Shue, has become a family favorite, spawning a number of movie and television sequels, including Netflix’s current hit series Cobra Kai, which features many of the film's actors reprising their roles.
Visit TheKarateKidTheMusical.com.