Get tickets to these West End shows that premiered on Broadway

Discover the best current and upcoming American shows to see in London. From flashy musical spectacles to hard-hitting dramas, read our guide to find out more.

The transatlantic cultural exchange is flowing more smoothly than ever, with multiple shows transferring from the UK to America and vice versa. Right now, Broadway has several productions that began over here, such as Back to the Future: The Musical, The Shark Is Broken, & Juliet, SIX, and Maria Friedman’s revival of Merrily We Roll Along.

Happily, London is also teeming with fantastic American productions, from long-runners like Wicked, Frozen, Moulin Rouge! and The Lion King to more recent imports like A Strange Loop, Mrs Doubtfire, and Daniel Fish’s brooding revival of Oklahoma!. It’s fascinating to see how shows are being reimagined on both sides of the pond.

It doesn’t stop there, either. We’re sending more over to Broadway, including the remarkable immersive Cabaret (rumour has it that original leads Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley may reprise their roles). Plus, we’ve got loads of exciting imports coming to the West End. So, check out our guide to the best American shows in London that you can book now.

MJ The Musical

One of the buzziest openings for spring 2024 is this Broadway musical about icon Michael Jackson, aka The King of Pop. Myles Frost, who won a Tony Award for his electrifying portrayal, reprises the lead role when the show moonwalks into the West End next March.

MJ The Musical explores Jackson’s story through his most enduring songs, like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Smooth Criminal”. Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage supplies the book, and the musical is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon.

Book MJ The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Dana H.

Lucas Hnath’s powerful play tells the true story of his mother Dana Higginbotham’s harrowing experience: While working as a psych ward chaplain, she was abducted and held hostage for five months in a series of Florida motels by a disturbed patient.

The show is all told in Dana’s own words, quite literally, with Deirdre O’Connell lip-synching to recorded interviews. O’Connell won a Tony Award for her extraordinary performance on Broadway, and next spring, the Royal Court hosts the show’s unmissable UK premiere.

Book Dana H. tickets on London Theatre.

Diana

Another hugely anticipated American show is this infamous musical about the life of Princess Diana. Written by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro (Memphis), it had a short – but much-discussed – run on Broadway and became an international sensation when Netflix streamed a recording of it.

Now, UK audiences get to see the whole thing live in a starry, one-night-only concert production. Kerry Ellis and Maiya Quansah-Breed play the older and younger Diana, respectively, and Denise Welch plays The Queen. This promises to be a right royal treat.

Book Diana tickets on London Theatre.

Mrs Doubtfire

She’s in London, poppets! Yes, everyone’s favourite Scottish nanny has made the journey from a classic screen comedy, starring Robin Williams as a dad in disguise, to a Broadway musical and now an uproarious West End family favourite.

Gabriel Vick stars as out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard, who goes to crazy lengths to stay in his children’s lives – and, while dressed as a woman, learns how to be a better man. The brilliantly inventive production features catchy musical numbers, inventive theatrical updates, and plenty of heart.

Book Mrs Doubtfire tickets on London Theatre.

Sister Act

Another uplifting screen-to-stage – and US-to-UK – transfer is this heavenly comedy about a nightclub singer who hides out in a convent after witnessing a murder and subsequently turns its hopeless choir into a toe-tapping sensation.

The show began life in California and has since played on Broadway and the West End. It’s returning to London in March 2024, with Beverley Knight back in the habit as Deloris Van Cartier and then X Factor winner Alexandra Burke succeeding her. Hallelujah!

Book Sister Act tickets on London Theatre.

Jersey Boys

The boys are back in town – and still arguing over who’s responsible for the mammoth success of the Four Seasons, and who brought about the band’s downfall. Those competing narratives form one of the many riveting elements in this smash-hit Broadway musical, once again delighting West End audiences.

The show is jam-packed with unforgettable songs from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, including “December 1963 (Oh What A Night),” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and many more.

Book Jersey Boys tickets on London Theatre.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Baz Luhrmann’s colourful whirlwind of a movie was always crying out to be a stage musical, and it became one with a big Broadway production in 2019 that went on to win 10 Tony Awards. This Paris-set show then came to the West End in 2021.

Now, when you enter the Piccadilly Theatre, you enter the Moulin Rouge – there’s even a giant windmill and elephant. Telling the heart-wrenching love story of star Satine and aspiring writer Christian, the show is teeming with songs, from “Lady Marmalade” and “Bad Romance” to “Your Song” and “Roxanne”.

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool

Award-winning comedian Mike Birbiglia brings his witty one-man show to the London stage fresh from a successful run on Broadway. The show made its UK debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year and will be in London for four weeks only.

Birbiglia recounts tales from his "coming-of-middle-age" adventures, which include conquering his fear of a YMCA pool following a health scare. His comedic storytelling has led to sold-out performances across the United States, so swim over to the Wyndham's Theatre and see this hilarious show before it's too late.

Book Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool tickets on London Theatre.

Plaza Suite

Married couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker are bringing their hugely popular Broadway revival of Neil Simon’s relationship comedy to London’s Savoy Theatre in spring 2024 – with the Sex and the City star making her long-awaited West End debut.

The pair play a series of couples, each with a different problem, but all taking place in the same suite at the Plaza Hotel in New York. The sold-out American production, directed by John Benjamin Hickey, was the third-highest-grossing play revival in Broadway history – can it repeat the success in London?

Check back soon for information on booking Plaza Suite tickets on London Theatre.

Shucked

Broadway's corniest musical comedy will make its way to the West End in 2024, with announcements regarding the venue, cast, and performance dates to come. Shucked received nine Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Book of a Musical.

When a small town's crops begin to wither and die, farmgirl Maizy heads to the big city to find help. Will she be able to save Cobb County? This countrified musical has a toe-tapping score by award-winning songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.

Check back soon for information on booking Shucked tickets on London Theatre.