The Broadway production of Paddington The Musical has revealed its principal cast, led by Olivier Award winners James Hameed and Arti Shah, who will reprise their acclaimed performances from the record-breaking West End production when the musical opens in New York next spring.
Hameed and Shah, who shared the 2026 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for their groundbreaking work bringing Paddington to life, will once again take on the title role. Shah will perform as Paddington on stage, while Hameed provides the bear’s voice and remote puppetry, recreating the celebrated partnership that helped make the London production the most awarded new musical in West End history.
Joining them in the Broadway company are Kelvin Dukes as Tony, Drew Gehling as Mr. Brown, Allison Guinn as Lady Sloane, three-time Emmy Award winner Tony Hale as Mr. Curry, J. Quinton Johnson as Grant, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as Millicent Clyde, Zonya Love as Tanya, Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller as Mrs. Brown, Serena Parrish as Judy Brown, Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as Mrs. Bird and Chip Zien as Mr. Gruber.
The musical begins performances at Broadway’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 30 March 2027, with an official opening night scheduled for 18 April 2027.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said, “We’ve been completely blown away by the extraordinary artists we’ve met throughout the casting process, and by the warmth and enthusiasm with which everyone has welcomed Paddington to Broadway. We really do have a dream company. These are some of the most talented performers working today, all choosing to spend their time and considerable gifts on this funny, joyful and deeply life-affirming new musical. We couldn’t feel luckier.”
They continued: “And what’s been so exciting is seeing how each of them has responded to these wonderful characters, already finding their own humour, humanity and individuality in them. We can see how much they’re all going to bring to the show.”
“We’re also enormously proud to be introducing Arti Shah and James Hameed to Broadway audiences. Our exceptional, award-winning duo have spent years, alongside an extraordinary team of artists and technicians, developing and bringing Paddington himself to life. What they have achieved together is quite remarkable.”
“Alongside STUDIOCANAL and our brilliant creative team and associates, led by Tom Fletcher, Jessica Swale and Luke Sheppard, we cannot wait for Broadway audiences to meet this company and, of course, one very special Bear.”
Based on Michael Bond’s beloved stories and inspired by the hugely successful film franchise, Paddington The Musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
The production arrives on Broadway following an extraordinary London run at the Savoy Theatre, where it won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, and became the most awarded new musical in West End history. A Sydney production is also set to open at the Capitol Theatre in September 2027.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
