A film still from ‘The Karate Kid.’ (YouTube Movies)
Hi-yah! Kick lines have always been fixtures of Broadway musicals, but what about roundhouse kicks? It may be their time to shine: The Karate Kid, the classic 1984 film, is being adapted into a musical and will have a pre-Broadway tryout premiering in the spring of 2022.
According to an Equity casting notice, the show will hold work sessions this fall. The new musical features a book by the film’s screenwriter, Robert Mark Kamen, and music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini (Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical). Renowned Japanese director Amon Miyamoto, whose Broadway debut with Pacific Overtures made him the first Asian director on Broadway, helms the production, and MTV VMA nominees Keone Madrid and Mari Madrid choreograph the movement-heavy piece. The Karate Kid will feature scenic design by Tony and two-time Emmy Award winner Derek McLane.
The original film starred Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita (who received an Academy Award nomination), and Elisabeth Shue. Following the film’s success, which spawned an immense interest in karate across the country, two sequels followed, as did an animated television series and YouTube Premium’s “Cobra Kai,” which is currently in production on its third season. Production dates and ticketing information for the spring 2022 musical production have not yet been released.
