The Karate Kid Kicks Its Way Into Milton Keynes

Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane and Leo Stages present the UK premiere of THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL.

Adapted from the smash-hit Columbia Pictures film, this new production features a book by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 movie that launched a 40-year global franchise, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini.

The production will tour the UK from April 2026, including a run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jun, before transferring to Toronto in September for its Canadian premiere.

Adrian Pang leads the cast as Mr. Miyagi, joined by Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso, Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver as Freddie Fernandez.

The ensemble includes Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh.

Adrian Pang is an acclaimed Singaporean performer whose stage career spans both the UK and Asia. His credits include the title roles in Hamlet and Macbeth, as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, The Grand Babylon Hotel, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and The God of Carnage. In 2024, he portrayed Ying Ruocheng in the world premiere of Salesman in China at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, later reprising the role at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Gino Ochello, a Gibraltar-born performer and singer, makes his professional stage debut as Daniel LaRusso. Abigail Amin, a recent ArtsEd graduate, has recently completed filming James Graham’s feature film Ink, directed by Danny Boyle. Joe Simmons also recently graduated from ArtsEd, with credits including Cruel Intentions (UK Tour) and Pippin (West End).

Matt Mills’ theatre credits include MJ the Musical (West End), Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Tina - The Tina Turner Musical (West End), Motown the Musical (UK Tour) and Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (UK Tour).

Sharon Sexton is an award-winning Irish West End performer, best known for originating the role of Sloane in Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell: The Musical in the West End and internationally. Her extensive UK theatre credits include Donna in Mamma Mia! (international tour), A Night with Janis Joplin (Peacock Theatre), The Liza Minnelli Story (Edinburgh Fringe/UK Tour) and the original cast of The Commitments (West End). She has also performed widely in concert, including appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and with the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra.

The original 1984 film, The Karate Kid, starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi. It was both a global box office success and a critical triumph, earning Morita an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The story quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning a major global franchise that includes three film sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, and the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018–2025). Most recently, Karate Kid: Legends, starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, was released in cinemas in 2025.

THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL had its world premiere at STAGES St. Louis, USA, in 2022, playing to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim.

Honouring the roots of the original story, this new musical explores themes of resilience, mentorship and the quiet strength that connects generations.

Daniel is the new kid in town, trying to find his place—until he becomes the target of Cobra Kai’s relentless star student, Johnny. Underestimated and outmatched, Daniel struggles to find his footing, until Ali, Johnny’s ex, recognises something in him that others overlook. As tensions escalate, teenage rivalry takes a darker turn. With guidance from Mr. Miyagi, Daniel learns that karate is not about fighting, but about balance, respect, and that the greatest victories come from within.

Featuring a Tony Award®-winning design team and an electrifying new score, this coming-of-age story is reimagined for the stage with striking visuals and ground-breaking choreography.

Written by Robert Mark Kamen, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL is directed by Amon Miyamoto, with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. The creative team also includes scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman, orchestrations by John Clancy, and music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick.

Produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane and Leo Stages.