Natalie Portman Produces 'Baby-sitters Club' Musical for 2027 LA Premiere

Key points

• The musical will premiere at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles, with previews starting May 6, 2027, and an opening night on May 16, 2027.
• The production is a four-week run, with priority ticket sales beginning November 4 and general sales on November 5.
• Natalie Portman’s production company, MountainA, is making its stage debut as a producer on this project.
• The creative team includes book writer Kate Wetherhead, composer Mark Sonnenblick, and director/choreographer Annie Tippe.
• The story reimagines the characters as 25-year-olds returning to their hometown for a reunion, exploring adult themes of identity and friendship.

Background

The 'Baby-sitters Club' book series, launched by Scholastic in 1986, has sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Previous adaptations include a 1990 HBO series, a 1995 film, and a 2020-21 Netflix series. The development of this stage musical was first announced in 2025, with the current announcement confirming the premiere date and venue.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources (Deadline, Playbill, Broadway News, and TheaterMania) confirm the core details: the May 2027 premiere in Los Angeles, the creative team, and the involvement of Natalie Portman. Deadline and Playbill emphasize the ticket sales timeline and the specific venue (Kirk Douglas Theatre). Broadway News highlights the involvement of TWTheatricals, which previously produced 'The Lightning Thief.' TheaterMania notes that this is MountainA’s first stage production. There are no significant disagreements among the outlets; all present the news as a positive development for the adaptation.

Why it matters

This marks the first stage adaptation of the iconic children's book series, bringing a beloved cultural touchstone to the theater. The involvement of high-profile producers like Natalie Portman and the creators of 'KPop Demon Hunters' suggests a significant investment in the project. The shift from a children's story to an adult reunion narrative indicates a new direction for the franchise, aiming to engage both nostalgic audiences and new generations.

What to watch

Casting for the production will begin soon, with The Telsey Office handling New York and Henry Russell Bergstein Casting in Los Angeles. Ticket sales will open in November 2026, with priority access on November 4 and general sales on November 5. The production is expected to run for four weeks in the spring of 2027.