The Olivier Award-winning and record-breaking Paddington The Musical will find a new home on Broadway in 2027.
Developed by Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK, the marmalade sandwich-loving bear will take to the stage of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from 30 March 2027 ahead of an opening night in New York on 18 April 2027.
Adapted from Michael Bond’s much-loved tales of the little bear from ‘deepest darkest Peru’, along with the award-winning films by StudioCanal and Heyday Films, the musical which features music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale, is directed by Luke Sheppard.
Commenting on the show’s New York debut, composer Fletcher said: “It has been the greatest adventure of my career to be entrusted with bringing Paddington’s story to life on stage alongside my brilliant creative collaborators Jessica, Luke and our producers Sonia and Eliza. The response from West End audiences of all ages has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s a great privilege to welcome New York audiences into Paddington’s world of curiosity and I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity for this very rare and special bear to be on Broadway.”
Book writer Swale added: “I couldn’t be more excited to bring Paddington to New York. As a city that breathes theatre, storytelling and imagination, Broadway is the perfect place to celebrate this exuberant and heart-filled story. I can’t wait. Let’s just hope Paddington loves Big Apples as much as he loves oranges.”
Director Sheppard commented: “Paddington approaches life with curiosity, kindness and an unwavering sense of adventure, and what an adventure Broadway will be. It’s a dream come true to be bringing this joyful show to New York and I can’t wait for audiences to meet this very special bear that we all hold so close to our hearts.”
Producers Friedman and Lumley said: “Producing Paddington The Musical with our extraordinary writing and creative team has been an immense privilege. Paddington Bear has endured for generations because he reminds us of the best of ourselves: kindness, curiosity, empathy and the belief that everyone deserves to belong. Wrapped inside a joyful theatrical adventure, with Tom Fletcher’s exceptional score at its heart, is a story about finding home, family and community in unexpected places. We have been genuinely blown away by the response to the production so far and are thrilled to be bringing it to Broadway. As the home of so many of the world’s great musicals, there is no more exciting place to produce new work than New York, and we cannot wait to share Paddington’s world with Broadway audiences.”
Anna Marsh, CEO of StudioCanal and chief content officer of CANAL+ added: “It is an immeasurable privilege to bring Paddington The Musical to Broadway with Sonia, Eliza and the exceptional team they have assembled. To witness their collective gift in bringing Paddington to life on stage has been a masterclass in production.
“Over the past 12 years we have put such genuine care into honouring Michael Bond’s legacy with our films, series and as proud owners of the IP. We cannot wait for a new audience to delight in the heart, humour, wonder and magic of Paddington’s Broadway debut.”
Paddington The Musical, the winner of seven Olivier Awards, nine WhatsOnStage Awards and the Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical, celebrated its opening night at London’s Savoy Theatre on 30 November last year. The production is currently booking into January 2028.
The musical features musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Olivier Award nominee Matt Brind, choreography by Ellen Kane, scenic design by Tom Pye, costume design by Gabriella Slade, Paddington and puppet design by Tahra Zafar, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design and animation by Ash J Woodward, hair, wig and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates and casting by Jim Carnahan Casting, Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger and Paddington casting consultant Annabelle Davis.
Bond’s first book A Bear Called Paddington was published on 13 October 1958 by William Collins & Sons (now Harper Collins). Since its first publication, the Paddington Books series have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 40 different languages, including Latin.
Angela Thomas
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