Warriors (musical)

Warriors co-writers Eisa Davis (left, 2024) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (2019)

In 2009, a college classmate of American composer and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda suggested a musical adaptation of 1979 film The Warriors, which Miranda dismissed at the time. However, In 2022, Miranda (a longtime fan of the film) proposed a collaboration on adapting the film into a musical to playwright Eisa Davis, who Miranda had known since she starred in Passing Strange on Broadway at the same time that Miranda's In The Heights was playing.^[2] In August 2023, it was announced that Miranda was working on a stage adaptation of the Sol Yurick novel The Warriors, which provided the basis for the film. However, in July 2024 it was reported that the project would be a concept album rather than a stage musical.^[3] Miranda later explained this choice by noting that it allowed him to musicalize action sequences, avoiding the fact that 'what's trickiest about adapting an action movie into a musical is that action sequences and songs are fighting for the same real estate'. Davis also said that the form of an album is more apt for the score given its nature as a 'hybrid of pop and musical theater'. The album, Warriors, was released on October 18, 2024, featuring rappers including Nas, Lauryn Hill, and Busta Rhymes alongside Broadway performers.^[4]

It was unclear whether the album would lead to a stage adaptation, with Miranda and Davis telling The New York Times in 2024 that they did not have a theatrical producer or director attached.^[5] On June 23, 2026, the stage adaptation was announced.^[6]

Warriors is produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Jeffrey Seller. A developmental workshop was held in New York City in 2026.^[7]

The Broadway production's creative team includes set design by David Korins, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Jason Crystal, projection design by Hana S. Kim, fight direction by Drew Leary, music supervision by Kurt Crowley, orchestrations by Crowley, Mike Elizondo, and Scott Wasserman, and wig, hair and makeup design by Nikiya Mathis. The production will begin performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 9, 2027, with the official opening night on April 8, 2027.^[8]

DJ Lynne Pen broadcasts to New York City's gangs, announcing a gathering at Van Cortlandt Park organized by Cyrus of the Gramercy Riffs ("Survive the Night"). The Warriors, an all-women gang from Coney Island, follow Cyrus's instructions to leave their weapons behind and head uptown ("Roll Call"). At the park, they perform their signature rhyme ("Warriors' Cypher"). Cyrus arrives ("Make Way for Cyrus") and calls for a gang truce to ensure peace ("If You Can Count"). While her message gains support, Luther of the Rogues kills Cyrus and blames Cleon, the Warriors' leader and the only witness. As the Riffs attack Cleon, she orders the Warriors to flee ("Derailed"). With Cleon missing, Swan takes charge, frustrating Ajax. They plan to regroup at Union Square Station before heading home ("Woodlawn Cemetery").

The DJ announces that the truce has been broken and a hit placed on the Warriors. They escape an attack by the Turnbull AC's in the Bronx and board a train ("Leave the Bronx Alive"), but a track fire forces them to continue on foot. Luther informs the Rogues of his plan to pin the murder on the Warriors ("A Track Fire and a Phone Call") and shares his plan to "watch the world burn" with Cropsy ("Going Down"). The Warriors encounter the Orphans and feign weakness so that they be allowed to pass through. Mercy, the girlfriend of the Orphans' leader Sully, disrupts this by demanding Swan's vest. When the Warriors refuse, the Orphans prepare to attack. Swan and Ajax throw a Molotov cocktail, scaring off the Orphans ("Orphan Town"). Impressed, Mercy leaves the Orphans to join the Warriors ("Call Me Mercy"). Meanwhile, Cleon convinces the new Riffs leader Masai to investigate the real killer ("Still Breathin'").

The House of Hurricanes, a ballroom group from Spanish Harlem, stop the Warriors and accuse them of killing Cyrus. Convinced of their innocence, they let them go but warn them running makes them look guilty and that they must fight to survive ("Quiet Girls"). The Warriors stop at Gray's Papaya, but Swan urges them to stay focused. The Baseball Furies, a West Side gang, attack ("Outside Gray's Papaya"). Tired of running, Ajax rallies the Warriors to fight back in Riverside Park ("Sick of Runnin'"). There, Ajax assaults a man she believes to be catcalling her. The man then reveals himself to be an undercover cop, and arrests Ajax while the Warriors flee ("The Park at Night"). Luther and Cropsy mock the Warriors' predicament ("Luther Interlude").

At Union Square, the Warriors meet the Bizzies, a cardigan-wearing gang offering shelter in their East Village apartment. Cochise, Cowgirl, and Fox accept, but Rembrandt is wary ("We Got You"). Meanwhile, Mercy asks to become a Warrior, and she and Swan fall in love ("A Light or Somethin'"). At the Bizzies' apartment, Rembrandt realizes they plan an ambush and convinces the Warriors to escape ("We Got You (Reprise)"). Cleon convinces the Riffs that Cyrus's killer is likely in Coney Island ("Somewhere in the City"). Swan and Mercy reunite with the Warriors at Union Square, but police interrupt their attempt to board a train. Fox distracts the police captain by causing a fight on the platform, allowing the others to escape, but she is thrown onto the tracks and killed by an oncoming train ("Reunion Square").

Shaken, the Warriors return to Coney Island in silence. As the DJ narrates the lives of fellow passengers, Mercy and Swan share a kiss ("Same Train Home"). Upon arrival, they mourn their lost members and induct Mercy into the group. They spot Luther approaching in a hearse ("Finale Part I: The Wonder Wheel"). Swan leads them to confront Luther on the beach, challenging him to a duel. Luther draws his gun but is disarmed by Swan. The Rogues abandon their leader, and the Riffs arrive. Cleon identifies Luther as Cyrus's killer, and Masai commends the Warriors for their bravery before the Riffs attack Luther ("Finale Part II: The Coney Island Shore"). Cleon rejoins the Warriors, and they express hope that Cyrus's dream of peace will one day be realized ("Finale Part III: When We All Come Home Alive").

The cast was announced on October 20, 2026.^[8]

Notes