HAPPY FEET To Be Developed Into a New Musical For The Stage

Happy Feet is officially being developed as a new, Broadway-bound musical.

The production has tapped an all-star Broadway creative team to bring its joyful spirit, unforgettable music, high octane dancing, and powerful themes of individuality and belonging to the stage. At the project’s helm is two-time Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending, Parade), book writer Douglas Lyons (Chicken & Biscuits, “Fraggle Rock”), and a choreography team comprised of acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel (Funny Girl, 2025 NYT Critics Pick Ayodele Casel: The Remix)and the award-winning choreography duo Lauren Yalango-Grant & Christopher “Cree” Grant (The Lost Boys, Parade). Featuring the hit songs from the motion picturealongside a lineup of chart-topping favorites audiences know and love, the musical delivers a joyful, toe-tapping score that will have the whole theater moving to the beat.

Born into a world that measures worth by song, Mumble’s extraordinary dancing sets him apart—and sends him on a life-changing adventure that challenges tradition, celebrates individuality, and reveals the power of daring to be different. Originally released in 2006 by Warner Bros., Happy Feet captured hearts worldwide with its dance-driven, uplifting story, and iconic soundtrack. The film received widespread critical acclaim and won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, becoming a global box office hit beloved by audiences of all ages. The original film and its sequel went on to gross more than $847 million worldwide.

The design team for the musical features a Broadway A-list including Tony Award-winning set designer Dane Laffrey (Maybe Happy Ending, Once on This Island), Tony Award-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty (Wicked, Spring Awakening), Tony Award-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz (Sweeney Todd, Once), world-renowned puppet designer Basil Twist (Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), award-winning Orchestrator/ Co-Arranger Kenny Seymour (Ain’t Too Proud, Soul Train), and Music Supervisor/Co-Arranger Jackson Teeley (Alien/Nation)

Dates for future productions, as well as additional creative team members, will be announced shortly.  The musical is being produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, whose upcoming projects include adaptations of Crazy Rich Asians, Practical Magic,and the current Broadway productions of The Lost BoysandDog Day AfternoonMark Kaufman, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, will serve as creative consultant, and George Miller serves as Consulting Producer.  General Management of Happy Feet is by Wagner Johnson Productions.

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