From Broadway To London: Theatre Shows we want to see transfer in 2023

Broadway Hits We Want To See Transfer To The West End in 2023

You might think the West End is awash with Broadway shows, but unfortunately we only see a fraction of top Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and even then we might have to wait years (it took Dreamgirls 35 years) for the show to transfer to London.

Whilst there is a backlog of UK and America productions desperate for a West End venue here’s a selection of Broadway shows that we’d love to see in the West End in 2023. Now, some are pretty definite, for instance Mean Girls, Mrs Doubtfire and Jagged Little Pill, but there are others that we think British audiences would love if only they had a chance to see them.

Here’s a list of Broadway musicals we’d like to see transfer in 2023.

Beetlejuice The Musical

This Broadway hit has just returned to the Big White Way for a second outing. Based on Tim Burton’s wonderfully strange film, this musical comedy centres on a strange and unusual teenager who attempts to scare away her insufferable parents with help from a degenerate demon from the Netherworld and the former owners of her house – who just happen to be dead. Underneath this light-hearted comedy is a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every day.

Producers remain tight-lipped on this transfer but rumours in theatre-land predict a spring 2023 West End debut.

Mean Girls The Musical

Tina Fey’s highly anticipated musical adaptation of the hit teen film opened to glowing reviews at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway, picking up 12 Tony Award nominations in the process. Like West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie the show has themes of anti-bully, female empowerment and self acceptance combined with a catchy score and ferociously funny book. Producers have pretty much guaranteed it is West End bound – it’s all down to timing.

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

‘A musical cannonball unlike anything else on Broadway’ so says The Guardian.  With 12 Tony nominations including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Actor and Best Actress – Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is definitely worthy of a West End transfer.

Based on 70 pages of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Dave Malloy’s sung-through musical focuses on Natasha’s affair with Anatole and Pierre’s search for meaning in his life. Described as an ‘electro-pop opera’ Malloy’s score combines Russian folk and classical music with indie rock and EDM influences.

It premiered on Broadway in 2016, completing its run of 32 previews and 336 performances in September 2017, so a transfer at this stage looks unlikely but we can live in hope.

Jagged Little Pill

The electrifying Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill, inspired by Alanis Morissette’s seminal album of the same name, is supposed to land in London’s West End in November 2022, however as most things tend to slip we’ve included it in our 2023 selection.

Nominated for 15 Tony Awards, this rock musical has an original story that centres on a seemingly perfect suburban family striving to ‘keep it all together’ when a troubling event shakes their community. The West End production will feature the original Broadway creative team headed by Tony Award winning director Diane Paulus (Waitress) and Oliver Award winning choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

The musical features Morissette hits such as ‘You Oughta Know,’ ‘Head Over Feet,’ ‘Hand In My Pocket,’ and ‘Ironic’, as well as 2 brand new songs written just for the show.

Groundhog Day The Musical 

Technically not a Broadway transfer as it had a limited run at the Old Vic in 2016, but following its short Broadway run it’s time to bring this hit musical comedy from Matthew Warchus and Tim Minchin, the creative team behind Matilda The Musical, back for a full West End season. In fact Minchin recently mentioned Groundhound day in a interview with MarkMeets.com editor Dan Dunn

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

Who doesn’t like disco? This vibrant musical charts the incomparable life of Donna Summer —the undisputed Queen of Disco. Featuring over 20 of Donna Summer’s classic hits and electric dancing – all in tribute to the voice of a generation. It’s typical juke-box fare but audiences flocked to the show on Broadway with the hit musical playing to 92 percent capacity and grossing over $1 million in a week. Expect a party time when this disco queen transfers.

MJ The Musical

This new musical from Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (An American in Paris) and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage(Ruined, Sweat) is currently receiving rave reviews on Broadway. We weren’t sure if should include it given the controversy around MJ’s personal life, however the angle of show might just be ok to enjoy a transfer. Centering on a specific moment in Michael Jackson life, the musical looks at the creative process behind his acclaimed 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The show features over 25 Michael Jackson hits including Beat It, I’ll Be There, Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough, Earth Song, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, Man in the Mirror and Black of White.

Mrs Doubtfire The Musical

Following its world premiere on Broadway in 2021, Mrs Doubtfire The Musical will make its UK premiere at Manchester Opera House in September 2022, with a London season likely to follow in 2023.

A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubtfire is a musical comedy based on Anne Fine’s best-selling novel and the 1993 film Mrs Doubtfire starring Robin Williams and Sally Field.

The Prom

Who doesn’t love a camp musical comedy? This hilarious Broadway show, which won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, is a musical about big Broadway stars, a small town, and a love that unites them all. It’s even inspired by a true story! It’s probably best known for the Netflix film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Kerry Washington.

A Strange Loop

Currently gearing up for its Broadway premiere this quirky musical is a comically entertaining metafictional piece about identity, race and sexuality. Set to a bouncy Broadway beat with vibrant songs and cutting lyrics, this razor-sharp musical ‘would have your grandparents leaving the theatre humming. If they hadn’t walked out before’ (New York Times ). It more likely this show will land adjacent to a West End theatre like Southwark Playhouse, The Young Vic or the Park Theatre.

West Side Story

Ivo Van Hove’s production of West Side Story was a hit with Broadway theatre-goers. And following Stephen Spielberg’s flashy no expense spared film adaptation, this iconic musical certainly deserves a new West End run. But give Van Hove’s propensity for pared back staging, is this the West Side Story the West End wants or needs. Let’s hope we find out.