The Karate Kid musical’s Mr Miyagi on Asian representation, how it’s ‘not a movie being staged’, and stepping into Pat Morita’s shoes

Broadway beckons for The Karate Kid musical, which debuted this month in St Louis in the US state of Missouri. It’s no surprise to Mr Miyagi actor Jovanni Sy

He reveals how the stage production differs from the 1984 film, how he takes on such an iconic role and why the movie affected Asian representation in Hollywood

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Canadian actor and director Jovanni Sy takes on the role of Mr Miyagi in The Karate Kid musical, now playing in St Louis, Missouri. He tells the Post how the stage production differs from the film.

Published: 7:45pm, 21 Jun 2022Updated: 9:16am, 4 Jul 2022

“Cobra Kai, never die!” The same can be said for The Karate Kid as a property.

The Karate Kid, the 1984 film about a bullied teenager who learns to defend himself with the help of a martial arts sensei, or teacher, has spawned three movie sequels, a 2010 remake with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, and four seasons (and counting) of the Netflix spin-off Cobra Kai. Now it’s a stage musical too.

Written by the original film’s screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, The Karate Kid musical – still set in the 1980s – made its debut this month in St Louis, in the US state of Missouri. Among those at opening night was William Zabka, who plays the title character’s main rival, Johnny Lawrence, on film and in Cobra Kai.

Judging by the sold-out performances in the Stages at St Louis Kirkwood Performing Arts Centre, Broadway beckons after the musical finishes its run there at the end of June.

Sy with William Zabka, star of The Karate Kid.

In the pivotal role of Mr Miyagi is Chinese-Canadian actor and director Jovanni Sy.

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