The year 2021 promises to be very generous in musicals to discover in Paris. The Lion King, The Producers, 42nd Street, Charlie and the chocolate factory : we are spoiled for choice! While waiting for the theaters to reopen their doors, discover all the musicals that you will applaud in Paris during the year 2021!
Charlie and the chocolate factory
La Chocolaterie opens its doors on September 23, 2021 at the Théâtre du Gymnase: here it is, a show that will whet your appetite!
Based on Roald Dahl's book of the same name and its many film adaptations, the musical is reimagined for the stage by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman and David Greig. After London, the show flies to Broadway, then on tour and is a real success!
The story follows Charlie who wins one of the tickets allowing him to discover the chocolate factory of the mysterious Willy Wonka. But between the Oompa Loompas and the delirious sweets, Charlie is not at the end of his surprises.
To know everything about Charlie and the chocolate factory, click here.
In Paris, Philippe Hersen directs the magical world of Willy Wonka, joined by musical director Laurent Bertaud and choreographer Cécile Chatudeau. As for the cast, Arnaud Denissel plays the eccentric Willy Wonka and leads an ensemble of 5 children, 13 adults and 10 musicians! A show that promises to be larger than life!
Book your tickets for Charlie and the chocolate factory at the Théâtre du Gymnase here.
The Lion King
One of the most cult musical comedies is making a comeback in Paris in 2021. After a first visit to Paris in 2013, The Lion King returns to the Mogador Theater from September 4, 2021.
Adapted from the 1994 animated film, the musical celebrated its 20th anniversary in London and has already been applauded by more than 100 million shows around the world. And for good reason: the magnificent choreographies, costumes, puppets and songs of Elton John form a unique visual and emotional experience!
The Lion King tells the story of the lion cub Simba who hopes to follow in his father's footsteps at the head of the kingdom. His uncle, seized with jealousy, assassinates the king and Simba, feeling responsible, runs away. While on the run, he meets Pumba and Timon and adopts their “Hakuna Matata” lifestyle, without worries. But his fate awaits him and he must show courage to save the kingdom.
To know everything about the musical The Lion King, click here.
To interpret this superb story of friendship, love and courage, there are more than 150 artists and technicians. Among them, Gwendal Marimoutou, Alexandre Faitrouni, Rodrigue Galio and Noah Ndema. A grandiose spectacle not to be missed under any circumstances!
Book your tickets for The Lion King here.
The Producers
The musical that holds the record 12 Tony Awards arrives at the Théâtre de Paris in fall 2021.
It was Mel Brooks himself who adapted his film into a hilarious musical, which would remain on Broadway for over 6 years! The Producers tells the story of a declining Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, who joins forces with nervous accountant Leo Bloom. Realizing that they can make more money producing a flop than a hit, they decide to produce the worst musical ever. To do this, they hire the worst actors, director, choreographer and playwright. All that to put on a musical… about Hitler.
If, like that, the story seems strange, the musical is hilarious and has hit Broadway with more than 2500 performances. Hopefully she stays in Paris for that long!
To stage this cult show, we count Alexis Michalik, the man with 8 Molières, and to whom we owe Edmond, The Bearer of History et A love story.
We can't wait to discover this great show and its crazy musical numbers such as "Keep It Gay", "When You Got It, Flaunt It", which, we hope, will be as grandiose as on Broadway.
42nd Street
The most American of musicals is back in Paris in 2021. If you are looking for breathtaking tap dance acts, dazzling sets and costumes and a superb story of determination, 42nd Streett is the perfect musical! Find her at the Théâtre du Châtelet in November 2021 (fingers crossed!).
The show is a portrait of the American dream par excellence. 42nd Street recounts the rise of young Peggy Sawyer from dancer in backing vocals to leading role.
The musical has already played tens of thousands of performances in London, New York, Paris and around the world. It is one of the most popular musicals in the world. The songs from the show quickly became standards: "We're in the Money", "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Lullaby of Broadway" and "42nd Street".
At the Théâtre du Châtelet in 2016, Stephen Mear directed and choreographed the show, which we will be able to enjoy again in 2021. Tap dance!
Merlin the musical legend
Merlin will come to enchant us at the Folies Bergère from June 19, 2021! The musical features the legends of Merlin, the knights Lancelot and Arthur as well as the Lady of the Lake. New characters will also make their appearances such as the young Azénor who dreams of being a knight and the knight Honey.
To learn more about Merlin, the musical legend, click here.
This new production is directed by Marie-Jo Zarb (which we will talk about later for Treasure Island), with Erik Sitbon composing. It brings together talented performers such as Bastien Jacquemart, Camille Mesnard, Mathilde Libbrecht and Fabrice Todaro.
The scenography promises to be interesting with video montages and special effects that will add to the folklore spirit of the show! Come and discover the musical at the Folies Bergère from June 19, 2021.
Book your tickets for Merlin The Musical Legend by clicking here.
Pirates, the fate of Evan Kingsley
After a French tour, the show made a detour to the Folies Bergères. It is finally at the Casino de Paris that the musical will return. It is written by Samuel and Julien Safa, co-produced by Christophe Lambert and directed by Valéry Rodriguez.
Found Jimmy Costa-Savelli in the lead role alongside Sinan Bertrand, Jérôme Pradon and twelve other performers.
Pirates follows the story of young Evan who dreams of leaving his island and going to sea. If the young boy does not have the head of the job, he discovers a treasure map and he sets off on an adventure. He embarks on a boat, surrounded by ex-captain BarbeSale, his friend Anne Mery, pirates and broken arms. Finally, the real treasure was in him from the start.
A show for the whole family, to find from October 23 at the Casino de Paris.
Click here to book your Pirates tickets.
Noah, the strength to live
Initially scheduled for the end of 2020, the musical Noah arrives right next to Paris, at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in November 2021.
The play tells the story of Noah, commissioned by God to build an ark and take a couple of each animal and his family there as the flood descended on the earth. But Noah is not at the end of his surprises when the young Arèv enters the ark. The fate of the planet rests in his hands.
In addition to the 9 performers, life-size animal puppets will bring the show to life and will compete with those of the The Lion King !
The producer of the show, Essaï Altounian, who will play Noé has already revealed some pieces of the show on Youtube… We already have them in mind!
The show emphasizes the climate emergency and invites us to reflect on our actions to help the planet.
Book your tickets here for this superb musical spectacle to be seen with the family.
The Mysterious Cities of Gold, the musical show
No, you're not dreaming. Esteban, Zia and Tao arrive in flesh and blood on the stage of the Variety Theater from October 10, 2020. 10 singer-dancer-acrobats will be gathered on stage to bring the adventures of the three young heroes to life.
It is Nicolas Nebot, who directed the musical show Jules Verne who signs this new production. The music is by Simon Fache, the libretto Ely Grimaldi and Igor de Chaille and the choreographies Patricia Delon. A great team to transpose on stage the cult animated series of the 80s and whose soundtrack never leaves us!
Children of the Sun, come join the adventure aboard the Grand Condor from October 10, 2021 at the Théâtre des Variétés. You can book your tickets here.
One treasure island can hide another!
By the end of 2021, there will not be one, but two musicals called “L'Île au Trésor” in Paris. One is scheduled for spring and the other for fall.
In 2018, a musical show of the same name was already planned but the production had never seen the light of day on stage. Producer Marie-Job Zarb and composer Shay Alon each left on their own, giving birth, a few years later, to two Treasure Islands!
Definitely, the musicals in Paris in 2021 will not fail to make us travel!
Treasure Island, the Musical.
This musical adapted from the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson is produced by Standing O Productions. We find Shay Alon in the composition with lyrics and a libretto by Christopher Delarue, all directed by David Eguren. The castings took place during the year 2020 and the full cast has been announced. In the title roles, we can admire David Alexis, Sophie Delmas, Lou Nagy and Pablo Cherrey Itturalde.
When his father died, Jim Hawkins took over the family inn. But the mysterious Billy Bones arrives at his inn, followed by Black Dog who is looking for a mysterious map. When he sees him, Billy Bones collapses and Jim takes the opportunity to recover the money he owes him as well as the pirate's papers including the famous map. Here is Jim on board the Hispaniola surrounded by a myriad of characters, as well as Lisa, who dressed up as a man to join this incredible journey.
To know everything about The Musical Treasure Island, click here.
Several titles of the show such as “À ma place” and “Levez l'Ancre” have already been unveiled and we can't wait to see them on stage! The musical is scheduled for Paris in the spring of 2021 but that is likely to change greatly. It will be very soon, we hope.
Treasure Island - to each his own
This production is produced by Hisponalia (like the name of the Treasure Island ship). It is the show subsidiary of Narya Productions (the company of actor Alexis Loizon). The latter will artistically direct the show alongside Marie-Jo Zarb. John Eyzen signs the music and Patrick Mazet the direction.
For this version, Marie-Jo Zarb adds to the story a large number of female roles that are sorely lacking in the story. In the inn, Jim evolves alongside his mother, his adopted brother Charles, Doctor Livesey and the mysterious Victoria. After the death of a strange visitor, Jim sets off on an adventure on the banks of the Hispaniola and will meet Long John Silver. But does this island really exist? And what about this treasure?
More than 15 artists will be gathered on stage in a world close to cinema where adventures, fights, humor and love will meet. The first two roles have already been cast and the full cast will be announced soon.
This musical can be found at the Casino de Paris from October 2021. To find out more about this Treasure Island, click here.
Peter Pan's World
Compote de Prod, to whom we owe the musicals Alice et The grasshopper and the ant presents its latest creation in Paris in 2021. Peter Pan's World will hopefully make its first in the capital this year
This new show takes up the story of the character invented by James Barrie. We find Wendy and her brothers, who fly to the Country of Nowhere in the company of Peter Pan. They will meet there the formidable Captain Hook of the Tinker Bell and the Lost Children.
For this production, song, music, dance and acrobatics will light up the stage. It is Julie Lemas who writes and directs the show alongside Julien Goetz who will compose the musical titles.
In addition, there is a cast of hell: David Koenig, Lara Pegliasco, David Dumont, Juliette Behar, and many more! The show should go on tour as soon as possible with a hoped-for stop in Paris.
Tomorrow starts here
The 100% French, 100% original and 100% feel good musical is hoping to make a comeback at the Déjazet Theater. After a few performances in mid-October, the show was interrupted due to the re-containment.
If for the moment no date has been announced, the show intends to return to the Parisian scene in 2021.
Tomorrow starts here follows three women from three generations and tries to define what makes a life, speaks of the time which passes through memories and confidences. When Penelope burns out, all of her family and friends surround her and help her turn the situation into a new beginning.
We can't wait to find the 23 artists who form the troupe of Tomorrow starts here and finally discover this new show by Émilie Courtemanche and Vincent Pépin.
Click here to book your tickets for Tomorrow Starts Here.
Counter-time
Samuel Sené's show returns to Studio Hébertot, after a full house on September 19, 2020. We were there and we loved it! The show was scheduled for two months at Studio Hébertot. We are awaiting the dates of a possible postponement.
Counter-time follows the story of a young operetta conductor, who dreams of composing for Broadway. Between Fontainebleau and New York, this musical biopic will make us discover the incredible destiny of François Courdot, a composer little known to the general public. All to the sound of the greatest compositions by Bernstein, Offenbach, Puccini, Irving Berlin and François Courdot of course!
To find out more about the musical show Counter-time, click here.
You will be able to admire the formidable Marion Rybaka and Marion Préïté accompanied on the piano by Raphaël Bancou. The staging will be by Samuel Sené, to whom we owe Comedians and more recently contact.
To applaud at Studio Hébertot soon.
Seraph
At the end of January 2021, the musical Seraph was supposed to premiere near Paris. Written and edited by the company Selma, the show was also canceled due to the health situation.
Just like Ratatouille, Seraph transports us to the world of gastronomy. We are in Paris in 1963, Mr. Séraphin runs his restaurant with a masterful hand. His dream ? Obtain a Michelin Star. To reach the Holy Grail, he will be ready to do anything, even to shake up his principles!
To know everything about the musical Seraph, click here.
We hope to be able to quickly admire the dozen actors and singers who make up the show.
To be found in 2021 at the Maison des Pratiques Artistiques Amateurs in Saint-Germain.
The Jungle Book The Musical
Like many other musicals, wish that The Jungle Book can return to Paris in this year 2021!
You are no doubt familiar with the 1968 Disney film. How about admiring this superb story on the stage of the Théâtre de Paris? The show has been a hit in Paris for 4 seasons and was nominated for Molières in 2018. Directed by Ned Grujic (The Addams Family, Fame), the musical includes original songs and choreographies, costumes and animals of all kinds.
Here is a spectacle which will appeal to all those who have kept their childish souls. You will follow the adventures of young Mowgli, gone in search of his family, in the heart of the jungle. As the young boy grows up, he will trust the Baloo bear and the Bagheera panther. And he will learn to beware of the python Khaa and the tiger Shere Khan. If he is not the king of the jungle, he is the king of the stage and offers us a superb ecological message.
To find very quickly at the Théâtre de Paris.
Then in 2022
Starmania
It was finally in November 2022 that Starmania will be on the stage of the Seine Musicale.
There aren't many French musicals (or should I say rock operas) that appeal to all generations. When Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon write Starmania in 1978, they were far from suspecting the impact that this rock opera would have on French song. More than 40 years after the release of the album and the first performance, the voices of France Gall, Daniel Balavoine, Fabienne Thibaut continue to thrill.
In November 2022, the songs “When we arrive in town”, “The world is stone”, “The SOS of an earthling in distress” will once again make the capital vibrate. For this new version, it is Thomas Jolly, darling of contemporary theater and who loves XXL staging, who will direct Starmania.
The cast has not yet been announced but you can already book your tickets here.
I will love you
Do you know the principle of musical jukeboxes? As for Mamma Mia!, it's about taking existing songs (in this case ABBA) and making a story out of them in the form of a musical. The Mamma Mia! à la française is coming in 2021. The musical I will love you offers a musical journey by taking again the tubes of Michel Sardou.
It follows the loves, the joys and the sorrows of young French people over four decades. She makes us travel between Paris, Marrakech and New York and from the 60s to 2000. All to the rhythm of the songs of Michel Sardou which rocked our lives.
We already know two of the performers: Boris Barbé and Tony Bredelet.
The premiere will take place at the Zénith de Lille in October 2021. The show will then go on tour in France before stopping at the Seine Musicale in 2022. Click here to book your tickets!
As you will understand, the year 2021 in Paris will be rich in musicals. The hardest part will be to choose!
Hopefully the theaters will reopen as soon as possible. 🥖