The acclaimed stage production of\u00a0one of the world\u2019s most beloved animated films is making its way to Los Angeles\u2014and not many other cities.<\/p>\n
The original Japanese stage adaptation of Spirited Away will play the Ahmanson Theatre<\/a> in September and October 2027, marking the show\u2019s only announced U.S. engagement as part of a\u00a0limited international tour. The production will kick off Center Theatre Group\u2019s 2027\u201328 season before heading to London for a return engagement<\/a> in 2028.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Broadway hit Oh, Mary is officially coming to L.A. this fall<\/a><\/p>\n Adapted from Hayao Miyazaki\u2019s 2001 animated masterpiece<\/a>, the stage version has become a phenomenon in its own right. After selling out across Japan, it transferred to London\u2019s Coliseum<\/a> in 2024, where more than 300,000 people saw the production during its 17-week run. It went on to win Best New Play at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards before\u00a0selling out\u00a0in Shanghai and Seoul.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever wondered how an animated movie (one filled with soot sprites, dragons and spirits, no less) could possibly work onstage, well, that\u2019s kinda why it sells out. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner John Caird (who co-adapted with Maoko Imai), the show combines elaborate sets, intricate puppetry, lavish costumes and a live orchestra performing Joe Hisaishi\u2019s iconic score. The production is performed in Japanese with English captions.<\/p>\n The story follows 10-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into a supernatural world while moving to a new home with her parents. After they\u2019re transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro must navigate a bathhouse populated by unforgettable spirits in hopes of rescuing her family and finding her way back home.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to bring the wonder of Spirited Away\u00a0to the Ahmanson Theatre for an exclusive U.S. engagement,\u201d Center Theatre Group producing director Douglas C. Baker said in a statement. \u201cWe cannot wait to share Spirited Away\u00a0with Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n Tickets aren\u2019t on sale just yet. Center Theatre Group says the production will first be available to season subscribers in late spring 2027, while single-ticket buyers can sign up now for priority booking notifications through the organization\u2019s website. Considering the show\u2019s sold-out runs everywhere from Tokyo to London to Seoul, don\u2019t expect tickets to linger once they finally become available. The upcoming tour starts later this year in Taiwan before heading to Japan, Toronto and then eventually here in L.A. at the Music Center campus.<\/p>\n