‘The Greatest Showman’ Stage Musical in Development at Disney

The greatest show is going live. Hugh Jackman‘s passion project “The Greatest Showman” is finally getting a live stage show, thanks to Disney.

In a surprise twist at D23 in Anaheim on Friday, Disney showcased a medley of upcoming musical theater shows including dates for “Frozen” and news of a “Hercules” musical that will debut on West End. After a collection of rousing performances from the “Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast” casts (to name a few) the iconic howl from the 2017 movie musical sounded across the arena… Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for.

The crowd was then surprised with a rendition of “The Greatest Show,” from “The Greatest Showman.” Ryan Vasquez, who starred in “The Notebook” on Broadway, was dressed as Jackman’s character P. T. Barnum and accompanied four other cast members on stage under the signage “The Greatest Showman: The New Musical.”

Shortly after the performance, D23 host Yvette Nicole Brown said that the project was currently in development for a stage musical adaptation. The timing and the location were not revealed.

With nine memorable songs penned by the Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this show will forever live on in the annals of musical movie theater.

Since its release, “The Greatest Showman” movie has captivated audiences with its vibrant storytelling and powerful performances. The film became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $435 million worldwide and earning a loyal fanbase. Its soundtrack, featuring hits like “This Is Me,” “A Million Dreams,” and the aforementioned “Greatest Show,” became an instant classic, topping charts and winning numerous awards. The film also starred Zac Efron and Michelle Williams.