New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck is set to make her West End debut in the musical “Little Dancer,” a production based on the life of the girl who served as the model for Edgar Degas’ renowned sculpture. The show opens at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket on February 15, 2027, under the direction and choreography of Susan Stroman, with a scheduled closing date of March 27.
The musical chronicles the story of Marie van Goethem, a 14-year-old from a poor background who aspired to become a renowned dancer but ultimately became immortalized as the subject of Degas’ iconic artwork. Set against the backdrop of Belle Époque Paris, the production follows prior sold-out runs in Washington, D.C., and Seattle, as well as a 2025 concert performance at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Joining Peck in the cast are three Olivier-nominated actors: Julian Ovenden, known for “Downton Abbey,” will portray Degas; Laura Pitt-Pulford, recognized for “Standing at the Sky’s Edge,” plays the adult Marie; and Josefina Gabrielle, famed for “Les Misérables,” takes on the role of Martine. Ovenden returns to the Haymarket for this specific production.
Peck, recently appointed as the New York City Ballet’s first Choreographic Associate—the first woman to hold such a title in the company’s history—highlighted the human side of the famous artwork. “Many people know of the ‘Little Dancer’ sculpture, but few know much about the girl, the muse, who inspired it,” Peck said. “This show is about two determined artists willing to do anything for their craft, and it reveals a whole new side to Degas’ masterpiece.”
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