Singaporean actor Adrian Pang will soon be waxing on and waxing off as he takes on the role of the iconic karate master Mr Miyagi – played by the late Pat Morita in the original movie – in the upcoming production of The Karate Kid – The Musical.
On Tuesday (Mar 10), organisers of the musical’s UK tour announced the cast for the production. Joining Pang are Gibraltarian teen actor Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso – the role originally portrayed by Ralph Macchio – and British actress Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, a character first played by Elisabeth Shue.
Over at rival dojo Cobra Kai's side are British actor Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence and Matt Mills as John Kreese.
"I’m gradually transitioning back to being a freelance actor just like I was 25 years ago. So this is just a gentle reintroduction to that life. It’s scary and exciting. I’m s******* my pants – I’ll have to get the Kid to help me wax it off!" Pang told CNA Lifestyle.
The 60-year-old actor is also the co-artistic director of Singapore theatre company Pangdemonium, which he co-runs with his wife Tracie Pang. In February, the company announced it would close at the end of 2026 after a 16-year run.
With a runtime of two and a half hours, the UK run of The Karate Kid – The Musical will begin at New Wimbledon Theatre in London on Apr 28. The production will then have stops in the likes of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
The show will then head to Toronto, Canada, from September to November, ahead of a planned West End run.
The original Karate Kid movie was released in 1984 and follows teenager Daniel LaRusso, who struggles to adjust after moving to a new town and then becomes the target of bullies skilled in karate. With guidance from his handyman Mr Miyagi, a karate expert, Daniel eventually takes on his rivals in a high-stakes tournament.
The film’s success launched a long-running franchise that continues to this day, with the latest entry being 2025’s Karate Kid: Legends, with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Mr Han.
Husband-and-wife artistic directors Adrian and Tracie Pang started Pangdemonium in 2010 as a "passion project" to channel their love for theatre. (Photo: CNA/Izza Haziqah)
In a recent interview with CNA Lifestyle, Pang spoke about his experience running Pangdemonium, saying: "The joy of putting on the shows themselves at times can be overshadowed by the encroaching larger percentage of your time and effort just running the business and doing everything else."
He added: "As a producer and as an actor, Pangdemonium has furnished me with opportunities to tell stories and take on different roles that feel less of an escape and more of a chance to recognise the different sides of me. These are parts of me that I can face and confront on stage – and that's a wonderful, incredible privilege.
"It's why I say the end of Pangdemonium is the end of my 16 years of therapy."
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On Tuesday (Mar 10), organisers of the musical’s UK tour announced the cast for the production. Joining Pang are Gibraltarian teen actor Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso – the role originally portrayed by Ralph Macchio – and British actress Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, a character first played by Elisabeth Shue.
Over at rival dojo Cobra Kai's side are British actor Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence and Matt Mills as John Kreese.
"I’m gradually transitioning back to being a freelance actor just like I was 25 years ago. So this is just a gentle reintroduction to that life. It’s scary and exciting. I’m s******* my pants – I’ll have to get the Kid to help me wax it off!" Pang told CNA Lifestyle.
The 60-year-old actor is also the co-artistic director of Singapore theatre company Pangdemonium, which he co-runs with his wife Tracie Pang. In February, the company announced it would close at the end of 2026 after a 16-year run.
With a runtime of two and a half hours, the UK run of The Karate Kid – The Musical will begin at New Wimbledon Theatre in London on Apr 28. The production will then have stops in the likes of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
The show will then head to Toronto, Canada, from September to November, ahead of a planned West End run.
The original Karate Kid movie was released in 1984 and follows teenager Daniel LaRusso, who struggles to adjust after moving to a new town and then becomes the target of bullies skilled in karate. With guidance from his handyman Mr Miyagi, a karate expert, Daniel eventually takes on his rivals in a high-stakes tournament.
The film’s success launched a long-running franchise that continues to this day, with the latest entry being 2025’s Karate Kid: Legends, with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Mr Han.
Husband-and-wife artistic directors Adrian and Tracie Pang started Pangdemonium in 2010 as a "passion project" to channel their love for theatre. (Photo: CNA/Izza Haziqah)
In a recent interview with CNA Lifestyle, Pang spoke about his experience running Pangdemonium, saying: "The joy of putting on the shows themselves at times can be overshadowed by the encroaching larger percentage of your time and effort just running the business and doing everything else."
He added: "As a producer and as an actor, Pangdemonium has furnished me with opportunities to tell stories and take on different roles that feel less of an escape and more of a chance to recognise the different sides of me. These are parts of me that I can face and confront on stage – and that's a wonderful, incredible privilege.
"It's why I say the end of Pangdemonium is the end of my 16 years of therapy."
Continue reading...