Susan Stroman to direct full-scale Little Dancer musical in the West End – with initial casting revealed

Following concert presentations at Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year, new musical Little Dancer is set to receive its fully staged West End premiere in 2027.

Based on the story of the young ballerina who posed for Edgar Degas’ sculpture, the piece is written by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), whose previous works include the likes of Ragtime, Anastasia, and Once on This Island.

Ahrens commented: “What a rare thing – to discover an untold story of art, and then get to tell it with a world-class team of collaborators. We’re thrilled and honored to bring this production – and this extraordinary story – to the West End.”

Flaherty added: “Writing the music for Little Dancer has been the joy of a lifetime. The music carries dancers through the air and lifts audiences long after the curtain comes down. I can’t wait to share the magical world of our show in this historic theatre this coming spring.”

Five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy for You) will once again direct and choreograph the musical, having helmed the concert production last year, and returning cast members include Emmy Award winner and Olivier Award nominee Tiler Peck (Tiny Pretty Things) as Young Marie van Goethem, Julian Ovenden as Edgar Degas, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Adult Marie, and Josefina Gabrielle as Martine.

Further casting will be announced in due course.

Stroman said: “Little Dancer is a visually stunning and life-affirming piece of theatre about the lives of women and the power of art. Just as Degas was inspired by Marie, Marie inspired me. She wanted to be a great dancer, and inadvertently, through art, became the most famous dancer in the world.”

The creative team also includes set designer Beowulf Boritt, lighting designer Ken Billington, costume designer William Ivey Long, sound designer Kai Harada and casting director Jill Green. Orchestrations are by Doug Besterman and Larry Hochman, while music supervision and dance arrangements are provided by Sam Davis.

The show is produced by Anita Waxman, alongside Jana Shea, Patricia R Klausner, Sharon A Carr, Iwan Lewis (UK executive producer), Emily Blavatnik, and Danny Cohen, with general management by Short Street Productions Ltd.

Little Dancer is scheduled to run at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 15 February until 27 March 2027, with a press night set for 18 February.