The original "Karate Kid" himself Ralph Macchio paid a visit to a recent industry reading of The Karate Kid - The Musical. The in-development stage adaptation of the 1984 film featuring a score by Drew Gasparini and a book by original screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen held the private reading June 20, and Macchio wasn't the only alum of the hit franchise in the room.
Josh Heald, producer and creator of Netflix's Karate Kid sequel television series Cobra Kai, also attended the reading, which held a discussion prior to the performance led by the musical's producer Kumiko Yoshii, director Amon Miyamoto, songwriter Drew Gasparini, designer Derek McLane, and book writer Robert Mark Kamen to talk about the franchise's enduring popularity, from the very first film, to the Cobra Kai series and their musical.
Leading the reading cast were Kate Baldwin, Alan H. Green, Jake Bentley Young, Jetta Juriansz, Abby Matsusaka, and Sydney Jones. They were joined by Jon Jon Briones as Mr. Miyagi, Daniel Marconi as Daniel, and Mateus Leite Cardoso as Freddie.
In the works since at least 2020, the musical received a world premiere staging at Stages St. Louis in Missouri last year.
See the photos of Macchio and the reading cast of below.
Alan H. Green, Kate Baldwin, Jake Bentley Young, and Ralph Macchio
Robert Mark Kamen and Ralph Macchio
Jon Jon Briones and Ralph Macchio
