There are lots of new musicals hitting our theatres in 2020. Here is a rundown of the ones I am really excited to see:

Pretty Woman at Piccadilly Theatre

Pretty Woman is opening at The Piccadilly Theatre on 1st March (previews from mid-February) and is booking through until 2nd January 2021. With the score by Bryan Adams and based on the 1990 film I can’t wait to see how it translates to the stage. Adding to my excitement is the casting of Danny Mac as Edward and Aimee Atkinson as Vivian.

Hello Dolly at the Adelphi Theatre

Continuing the Broadway transfer theme Hello Dolly! opens on the 11th August and Imelda Staunton takes on the iconic role of Dolly herself. Despite this being a classic show I have never seen it and don’t even really know the score…..I’m determined to change this in 2020!

Sunday in The Park with George at The Savoy Theatre

It’s another Broadway transfer with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford  reprising their Broadway roles. It was one of the fastest selling shows on Broadway so this could be one of the hot West End tickets of 2020! It opens on June 11th and has a limited run until 5th September.

Frozen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

This is a show that needs no introduction and yet another Broadway transfer! Combine the huge Disney film with the fact that Samantha Barks has been named as Elsa it is sure to be one of the biggest shows to hit the West End in 2020. Opening in October 2020 I can imagine tickets being in lots of peoples Christmas stockings next year!

Be More Chill at The Other Palace

This is a show that developed a cult following on Broadway. It tells of a teenage boy who is keen to impress and a supercomputer inside his head who tells him how to impress the girl of his dreams. I’m already a fan of the cast recording so I’m looking forward to seeing it on stage. It opens at the Other Palace on the 12th February and running until 3rd May.

The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion

Finally a show that isn’t a Broadway transfer!!! This is a new musical based on the Dreamworks animation film with THAT song! The cast feature the likes of Christine Allado and Liam Tamne so I’m excited to see how they bring the show to life. It opens on the 1st March (previews from the 5th February) and is running until 12th September

City of Angles at The Garrick Theatre

This impressed audiences in 2014 at the Domnar Warehouse. The cast is already looking stunning with Hadley Fraser, Rebecca Trehearn and Rosalie Craig (who reprise their roles from 2014). Added to this that one of my favourite choreographers (Stephen Mear) is responsible for the dance then this makes it a must see for me, especially as I missed it in 2014. It opens on the 6th March.

101 Dalmatians at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.

Running from the 16th May – 21st June 101 Dalmatians is a new musical based on the iconic film. It features puppetry which I am soo intrigued to see! Judging by the success of previous works at Regents Park Open Air Theatre this will be a show to see!

Stages Musical at Vaults Festival

I am always really keen to champion new British Musical Theatre so i had to include some of it in this roundup. First up is Stages, a video game musical that is described as a musical which examines what happens when the code of our lives is rewritten and the way the digital world interacts with our own. It is on from the 3rd- 8th March and I’m looking forward to getting there to begin to play!

Ride at Vaults Festival

This is another piece of new British Musical Theatre, also on from the 3rd- 8th March. It tells of Annie Londonderry who has returned victorious to America, hailed as the first woman ever to cycle around the world but her story doesn’t quite seem to add up!

Berlin Girl at New Wimbledon Studio Theatre

Another piece of new British Musical Theatre. I actually caught an extract of this show at a recording for All That Scratch but missed the show whilst I was up at the Edinburgh Fringe. It is based on a true story of a schoolgirls quest for justice. and judging from the extract I have seen the score is stunning, It is on from the 22nd – 25th April 2020.

Finally…..

If you are looking for other new musical theatre shows then please let me recommend the following:

All That Scratch – this is a podcast recording that takes place in the Studio at the Other Palace. It focuses on showcasing new musical theatre and even if you can’t make the event you can download the podcast later!

MT Fest UK – This festival focuses on new musical theatre as well as bringing to the UK shows that may not have made it here yet. It is held at the Turbine Theatre. It includes 45 minute extracts of 8 new musicals as well as concerts and more. It is on in February 2020.

Beam 2020 – This is a festival whoch focuses on new musical theatre. It is happening in Royal & Derngate Northampton. It brings together presentations from around 35 new musicals as well as masterclasses and panel discussions.

2020 looks to be a great year for Musical Theatre. Have I missed any new musical theatre that you want to see in 2020?