Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical is coming to the Forrest Theatre for a short run from December 15 to 20, 2026. It's a Tony Award-winning musical based on a true story from World War II, and if you haven't heard of it, the premise is exactly as strange as it sounds: the Allies used a stolen corpse to trick the Nazis into thinking they were invading Greece instead of Sicily. The whole thing is set in 1943 and follows how a dead body, a fake love letter, and a young Ian Fleming turned the tide of the war.

It's a fast-paced, funny show that doesn't take itself too seriously, even with the corpse at the center of it. Critics have described it as Singin' in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, which gives you a good sense of the tone—musical comedy mixed with a bit of a dark, suspenseful edge. It's also arrived here with some serious credentials: it won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London and a Tony in 2025. The production has been called the best-reviewed show in West End history, with 88 five-star reviews, and Entertainment Weekly named it the #1 Broadway show of 2025.

Since it's a true story, there's a real historical thread running through the comedy. The mission—Operation Mincemeat—actually happened, and the show builds its jokes around the absurdity of the plan. It's the kind of thing that works better when you know it's not just a plot device, and seeing it live at the Forrest Theatre puts you right in the middle of the chaos.

The Philadelphia run is recommended for ages 5 and older, so it's one you can bring the kids to if you're looking for a family outing during the December break. If you're going with a larger group, there are savings for parties of 10 or more. The show runs from December 15 to 20 at the Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.