The principal cast of Paddington The Musical's Broadway transfer has been announced, with performances beginning March 30, 2027 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and an official opening set for April 18.

Olivier Award winners Arti Shah and James Hameed will reprise the shared title role from the original West End production at the Savoy Theatre: Shah performs on stage in costume as Paddington, while Hameed provides the bear's voice and remote puppetry, mostly from off stage, and doubles as the Young Man.

Both will be making their Broadway debuts.

The Brown household will be played by a pair of Waitress veterans: Tony winner Jessie Mueller as Mrs. Brown and Drew Gehling as Mr. Brown.

WhatsOnStage notes the two originated the roles of Jenna and Dr. Pomatter in Waitress, so the musical reunites them as a stage couple taking a lost bear from Peru into their London home.

Serena Parrish joins them as Judy Brown, with Tony winner Karen Ziemba as Mrs. Bird and Chip Zien, an original Into the Woods Broadway cast member, as Mr. Gruber.

The eye-catching name for Broadway watchers is three-time Emmy winner Tony Hale, who The Hollywood Reporter reports will make his Broadway debut as the grumpy neighbor Mr. Curry.

The supporting roster is stacked with stage regulars: Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as collector Millicent Clyde, J. Quinton Johnson of Hamilton as Grant, Zonya Love of The Color Purple as Tanya, Kelvin Dukes as Tony, and Allison Guinn as Lady Sloane.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley called the company a "dream company," saying these are "some of the most talented performers working today." The complete cast will be announced later.

What makes the announcement more than routine casting news is what the London production already achieved.

According to a news release cited by Good Morning America, the West End staging won seven Olivier Awards this past spring, including best new musical and best actor in a musical for both Hameed and Shah, becoming the most award-winning new musical in West End history.

New York Theatre Guide adds that the seven Oliviers tie the record for any musical in history, including revivals, and WhatsOnStage counts nine WhatsOnStage Awards on top of that. The show continues its extended run at the Savoy Theatre.

The musical adapts Michael Bond's A Bear Called Paddington and the 2014 Paddington film, following the small bear's search for a home with the Brown family as a vengeful villain hunts him.

It features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Olivier winner Jessica Swale, and direction by Luke Sheppard of & Juliet, all Olivier winners for the show per New York Theatre Guide. Songs New York Theatre Guide highlights include "Marmalade" and "The Explorer and the Bear."

Hollywood Reporter notes a Sydney production is planned for September 2027 at the Capitol Theatre.

Tickets are already on sale. Good Morning America reports they begin at $69, while New York Theatre Guide lists tickets starting at $81; both outlets' figures are shown here as each publisher states them.

New York Theatre Guide's guide says the running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission, the recommended age is 6 and up, and children under 3 are not admitted. The Al Hirschfeld Theatre sits at 302 West 45th Street.

With the full cast still to come, the countdown to the bear's April 18, 2027 opening night is officially on.