Downtown Los Angeles is set to host Studio Ghibli’s puppet‑filled stage adaptation of Spirited Away. Center Theatre Group will present the original Japanese production at the Ahmanson Theatre for a limited run in September and October 2027. The reimagined spectacle leans on oversized puppets, lavish costumes and a live orchestra to recreate Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 film for the stage.
A World Tour With a Single U.S. Stop
According to Playbill, TOHO has announced a 2026–2028 world tour that kicks off in Taipei in December 2026, moves through Japan and Toronto in 2027, and lands at the Ahmanson for a strictly limited September to October 2027 engagement. The production’s official site also lists Los Angeles as its only U.S. stop, per SpiritedAwayOnStage.
What to Expect Onstage
The stage version is performed in Japanese with English captions and combines intricate puppetry and moving set pieces with a live orchestra performing Joe Hisaishi’s score. London reviewers have praised the nonstop visual invention and the sheer scale of its creature and ensemble puppets, often singling out the turning bathhouse set and the meticulous craftsmanship behind the effects. For background on the creative team and staging choices, see coverage by The Guardian and director John Caird’s production page.
Center Theatre Group Brings It Here
Center Theatre Group producing director Douglas C. Baker said the organization was “honored to bring the wonder of Spirited Away to the Ahmanson Theatre for an exclusive U.S. engagement,” according to Time Out Los Angeles. CTG has indicated that season subscribers will get first access to the engagement in late spring 2027, while single‑ticket buyers can sign up on the organization’s website to receive priority booking notifications.
Why Tickets Likely Won’t Last
The production has already played to sold‑out audiences across Asia and drew more than 300,000 people during a 17‑week West End season, and it won Best New Play at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards, all signs that demand for the Ahmanson dates will be high. Reviewers and box‑office reports emphasize the tour‑ready scale of the show, which brings a large company and live musicians to each stop. For run and awards context, see reporting from WhatsOnStage.
How to Get Notified
Tickets are not on sale yet. Center Theatre Group is offering priority booking for season subscribers and an email sign‑up for single‑ticket alerts on its site. For booking updates and subscriber information, see Center Theatre Group.
