Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax are thrilled to confirm that the UK premiere production of THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL will hit the road next spring on a major UK Tour, before heading to the West End and Broadway.
Written by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 film that sparked a 40-year global phenomenon, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL will visit 
Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jun 2026.
The original blockbuster, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi, enjoyed huge box office success and widespread critical acclaim, with Morita earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film quickly became a cultural touchstone, spawning three sequels, a 2010 reboot with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, and the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018–2025). This year also marks the release of the sixth instalment, Karate Kid: Legends, featuring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL premiered in St. Louis in 2022, playing to packed houses and receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics.
Bringing the iconic 1984 story to the stage, this dynamic coming-of-age tale is reinvented through movement, music and high-energy storytelling. At its core is the enduring bond between Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi, who shows that karate is not about fighting, but about balance, dignity and respect.
A Tony Award–winning creative team transforms the film’s most memorable moments into a vivid, emotionally charged stage production. Staying true to the roots of this timeless story, the musical celebrates resilience, mentorship and the quiet strength shared between generations. Destiny is in your hands – wax on, wax off.
THE KARATE KID writer and creator Robert Mark Kamen says, “William Goldman said about Hollywood, 'No one knows anything." He was right. Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for THE KARATE KID, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago.”
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, orchestrations by John Clancy, and music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick, with wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman. Produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax. Casting is still to be announced.
