One of the best movies of the
1980s that tick off the boxes for “coming of age,” “underdog,” “sports
competition” and “all-ages action” would most definitely be 1984’s “The Karate
Kid” from Columbia Pictures (now under Sony). Its story of a bully magnet being
taught karate by a wise if unconventional sensei became a definitive plotline
in other stories across various media. “Karate Kid” itself became a modest
franchise with two follow-ups, an animated series, two spinoffs, and distant
sequel web-series “Cobra Kai” on YouTube Premium. But that franchise will be
expanding anew, as the original “Karate Kid” film gets adapted…into an upcoming
Broadway musical.
Comic Book Resources tells us that indeed, “The Karate Kid” film
that inspired eighties moviegoers with the story of Daniel LaRusso and his
teacher Mr. Miyagi, is being adapted for the theatre stage and given music
numbers to boot. The musical adaptation is being overseen by the actual
screenwriter of the original movie, Robert Mark Kamen, working with the
Kinoshita Group, Michael Wolk and Kumiko Hoshii. With a surprising and respectful
level of Japanese involvement, the musical will be directed by Amon Miyamoto,
with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini.
Kamen confesses that he had never
thought his original one-off film production would become as well-loved and
still-remembered in the present by multiple generations. “Beyond my wildest
dreams did I think what started out as a love letter to my devotion to Okinawan
Karate and the man who taught me would become a full-blown Broadway musical,”
he says. “And here is hoping that what comes to the stage brings the same joy
and relevance The Karate Kid has brought to countless kids and their parents
for the past 35 years."
To realize this vision that
Robert Mark Kamen sees for the “Karate Kid” musical, he has taken onto the
production staff choreographers Keone and Mari Madrid, and set designer Derek
McLane. All are either award nominees or actual winners, with Keone and Madrid
having been nominated in the MTV VMAs, while McLane’s design for “Moulin Rouge!”
has gotten a Tony.
The director Amon Miyamoto reveals
great insight in talking about his excitement in working on this musical, about
how the message of “The Karate Kid” is very appropriate for the modern
contemporary world that is both globalized yet increasingly divided by
hostility. “The sweet contradiction of ‘The Karate Kid’ is that the real nature
of karate is, as the show says, ‘not for attack.’” Notes Miyamoto. “Not to
hurt, not to win, but to let opposing energies play out and come in grace to a
conclusion that allows dignity and respect for all.” No casting or premiere
date has been given for this musical yet.
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