Saadiqah February 27th, 2024
We are fully immersed in 2024, and so far, it's shaping up to be an exciting year with many new musicals gracing the stages of the West End! Let's dive in and see which musicals we have so far for this year that you may want to add to your wishlist.
Opening Night - Gielgud Theatre, from March 6
The fantastic Sheridan Smith is set to make her much-anticipated West End return as she takes the lead in this exciting world premiere from the iconic theatrical innovator Ivo Van Hove and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright! Based on the John Cassavetes film of the same name, the musical follows a beleaguered theatre company as they try to stage a brand-new Broadway show, despite the many trials and tragedies that befall its star.
MJ The Musical - Prince Edward Theatre, from March 6
Michael Jackson fans rejoice as a brand new musical all about the iconic superstar is here! With Jackson's plethora of moon-walking hits in tow, MJ the Musical is set to explore the star's life and his stratospheric rise to fame.The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage have partnered on the project, with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined) set to pen the book. Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon (An American In Paris) has been tapped to Choreograph/Direct the musical. With both Nottage and Wheeldon on the scene, admirers of the late artist can rest assured that Michael's incredible story is in safe hands.
Mean Girls - Savoy Theatre, from June 9
Get in losers, we're going to London! Tina Fey's musical adaptation of her 2004 movie Mean Girls finally brings the Burn Book to the West End in summer 2024! Featuring a book by Fey, music from Jeff Richmond, lyrics from Legally Blonde's Nell Benjamin and direction from Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw the production garnered 12 Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 2018. So join wide-eyed Cady Heron once again as she heads from the wilds of Africa to the wilds of high-school...
Fangirls - Lyric Hammersmith, from July 15
Edna is a 14-year-old girl from Sydney, Australia. She is deeply, deeply infatuated with Harry. The issue is, Harry has no idea that she exists. It's not that she's been too nervous to speak to him or anything, no no; the reason they've never met is just the little fact that he is a member of one of the world's most famous pop bands, from the other side of the world, with millions of fans all across the globe just like Edna.
The Devil Wears Prada - Dominion Theatre, from October 24
Hold onto your Louboutins because the iconic 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada is receiving a fashionable musical makeover. With Elton John lending his song-writing genius to the project, lyrics from Shaina Taub, a book by Kate Wetherhead, and direction and choreography from Kinky Boots and Pretty Woman mastermind Jerry Mitchell, it's going to be a hell of a show!
Why Am I So Single? Garrick Theatre, from August 27th
With its infectious songs and romantic escapades, this brand-new musical is bound to be a hit. With the same team that brought us everyone's favorite Henry VIII-based sing-a-long Six', the West End can expect an incredible show this autumn. Writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss had this to say about the upcoming musical: "This is ultimately a musical about two friends, their desire for love, and how they deal with loneliness. We hope people come away feeling super uplifted".
Want to know what else is showing in London? Head to the London Theatreland homepage here!
an extravagantly original production, every bit as eccentric as the film but also its own alchemical creation, more vivacious in this musical incarnation
As with other stand-outs of the jukebox genre Ain't Too Proud, Jersey Boys, Tina Nottage's book and Wheeldon's direction/choreography tap into collective nostalgia without sacrificing of-the-moment vitality
