The Karate Kid musical adaptation set for 2022 pre-Broadway run

The Karate Kid nostalgia is gearing up to begin its run with fans of all things musical. It has been announced that a stage musical adaptation of the ’80s classic film has set its world premiere in St. Louis next spring for what producers are calling a pre-Broadway engagement.

The Karate Kid – The Musical, will officially begin its limited engagement run on May 25, 2022, in a Stages St. Louis production at The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center just outside of St. Louis, MO. The musical will be kicking butt through June 26, 2021.

The musical has a book from original screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen and music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, who worked on Smash. The production is set to be directed by Japanese director Amon Miyamoto and casting, as of this writing, has not been announced. Writer Robert Mark Kamen had this to say about the upcoming musical:

“When I was a young man, my life was forever changed by traditional Okinawan Karate and the instructors who taught it to me. The Karate Kid is my love letter to both those masters and their practice. Karate teaches, above all, to follow your dreams no matter what obstacles are put in front of you, and that is the spirit with which all of us are approaching this show.”

Adding to Kamen’s sentiments, Drew Gasparini said, “As I am sure anyone my age can relate to, The Karate Kid has been a major touchstone in my life. It is such an incredible honor to be able to give a musical voice to such an iconic story that means so much to so many people across the globe. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and one I am relishing every second of.”

Director Amon Miyamoto also seems very passionate about the project and believes that the message of the 1984 film will resonate even more today via the new musical production:

“Karate teaches that if you treat people with inner strength, humility, and the spirit of harmony, there will be no conflict. It’s a message that I think we need to hear even more now than we did in 1984, and I am so excited to have the chance to modernize and musicalize this beloved story for what will be the world’s first karate action musical. My deepest hope is that our work resonates with audiences all over the world, spreading the ideas of acceptance and inclusion — which are the opposite of division.”

The Karate Kid, released in 1984, follows Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), a teenager taught karate by Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) to help defend himself and compete in a tournament against his bullies, one of which is the ex-boyfriend (William Zabka) of his love interest Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue). The film was a commercial success, grossing over $130 million worldwide on an $8 million budget and it spawned three sequels. In addition to the films, the franchise spawned an animated television series and Netflix’s Cobra Kai, which is arguably one of the most popular shows currently airing on television today. The fourth season is set to premiere in December 2021.

Are YOU excited for The Karate Kid musical?