Norah Jones is writing original songs for a new stage musical adaptation of Practical Magic, based on the 1998 film and Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel. The project was announced on Monday 9 February 2026, with development now underway.
The musical will feature a book by Dogfight playwright Peter Duchan, co-written with Hoffman. Jones is collaborating on music and lyrics with record producer Gregg Wattenberg, while Merrily We Roll Along director Maria Friedman is attached to direct.
Norah Jones’ first musical theatre project
This marks the first time Jones has worked on a stage musical. While she has not issued a formal statement, she acknowledged the announcement by re-sharing a promotional post on Instagram describing the show as a “spellbinding new musical.”
“Belladonna and the rose. Secrets only sisters know. Our shared craft now turns a page. Something’s brewing for the stage,”
Jones released her ninth studio album, Visions, in 2024, continuing a recording career that began with her breakthrough debut Come Away with Me in 2002.
Alice Hoffman on bringing Practical Magic to the stage
Author Alice Hoffman said the story was always suited to a theatrical setting, particularly because of its musical undertones.
“I’m so excited to be working with my amazing collaborators on bringing Practical Magic to the stage,” she said in a statement to Deadline.
“This story of love and sisterhood is meant for the theatre. Music is the heart and soul of Practical Magic, you can hear it as you read the book, even though it isn’t there. Now you will finally hear the story as I always imagined it. You will hear magic.”
Casting details and a potential opening date have not yet been announced.
From cult film to stage musical
Directed by Griffin Dunne, the original Practical Magic film starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, descendants of a long line of witches raised by their aunts. The story has since become a cult favourite.
Bullock and Kidman recently reunited to film a sequel, currently scheduled for release in September 2026.
