Cowabunga! Paramount is plotting a live stage show based on its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, timed to the 40th anniversary of the original animated series that started it all.
The theatrical tour, called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage!, will launch in fall 2027 and feature parkour, martial arts and hip-hop to tell the story of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo in venues across the country. The show is expected to have a runtime of about 90 minutes, not counting an intermission.
Paramount Products & Experiences and producing partners Maximum Entertainment Productions, Crossroads Live, and RoadCo Entertainment have brought on Tony-winning producer Eva Price, director, choreographer, and two-time Tony Award nominee Jennifer Weber; and Emmy Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Qui Nguyen to lead the creative for the show.
The venture is notable, as it is one of the first big bets for Paramount’s nascent experiences business, led by president of global products & experiences Josh Silverman. Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, is said to see experiential entertainment as a critical piece of the company’s strategy going forward. Paramount, unlike NBCUniversal or Disney, does not have any theme parks of its own, instead leaning on partnerships and licensing deals for its experiences business.
Universal, for example, is opening a kids-focused park in Texas next month that includes a Spongebob Squarepants land.
A live stage show is a logical extension for that IP.
“We’re thrilled to reimagine TMNT for the stage through a one-of-a-kind live experience that brings together an exceptional team of creative talent,” said Silverman. “The caliber of award- winning artists behind this production speaks to the enduring power of the franchise and its impact across generations. Together, we’re bringing the Turtles to an exciting new storytelling platform while staying true to the energy, humor, and heart fans have loved for more than four decades.”
“TMNT has always been about energy, rebellion, brotherhood, and fun,” adds Price. “This production takes everything audiences love about the original animated series and transforms it into a thrilling live show. Whether you grew up with the Turtles in the ’80s and ’90s or discovered them in the 21st century, this show is designed to bring fans together.”
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