Producers have announced the full cast for the UK premiere tour of The Karate Kid – The Musical, based on the hit Columbia Pictures film and featuring a book by the original screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini.
The musical opens its UK tour on 28 April 2026 before heading to Toronto in September for its Canadian premiere prior to planned West End and Broadway engagements.
Adrian Pang will lead the company as Mr Miyagi with Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso and Abigail Amin as Ali Mills. Joe Simmons joins the cast as Johnny Lawrence alongside Matt Mills as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso and Finley Oliver as Freddie Fernandez.
The ensemble features 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.
The UK tour begins at New Wimbledon Theatre before visiting Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff.
The production reimagines the beloved story for the stage, following Daniel as he navigates a new town and mounting tensions with Cobra Kai’s Johnny. Guided by Mr Miyagi, he discovers that true strength lies in balance, respect and inner resilience.
The world premiere of The Karate Kid – The Musical took place at STAGES St. Louis in 2022 where it played to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim.
The creative team includes director Amon Miyamoto, 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, wigs and hair designer Tommy Kurzman, orchestrator John Clancy and music supervisor and arranger Andrew Resnick.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
