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The beloved story of the Owens sisters is about to cast its spell on a brand new audience. A stage musical adaptation of Practical Magic is officially in development, bringing together an impressive team of creative talent to transform the cherished tale of love, sisterhood, and magic into a theatrical experience.
According to Deadline, the musical adaptation is being developed by an extraordinary group of collaborators. Author Alice Hoffman, who wrote the original best-selling novel, is working alongside Grammy winners Norah Jones and Gregg Wattenberg, with direction from Maria Friedman, who helmed the acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along.
A Star-Studded Creative Team Takes the Helm
Peter Duchan, who wrote the book for the 2013 musical Dogfight, is writing the book for Practical Magic alongside Hoffman herself. This collaboration between the original author and an experienced musical theater writer suggests a production deeply committed to honoring the source material while adapting it for the unique demands of the stage.
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The involvement of Norah Jones brings particular intrigue to the project. Known for her distinctive voice and songwriting that blends jazz, folk and pop sensibilities, Jones’s musical contributions could bring an entirely fresh sonic landscape to the Owens family story.
“I’m so excited to be working with my amazing collaborators on bringing Practical Magic to the stage. This story of love and sisterhood is meant for the theater,” Hoffman said in a statement. “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.”
The Story at the Heart of It All
For those unfamiliar with the tale, the official synopsis for the musical reveals a story rich with dramatic potential:
“For more than two centuries, the Owens women have been feared, blamed and whispered about in their small Massachusetts town. Orphaned as children and raised by their eccentric aunts, sisters Sally and Gillian Owens grow up determined to escape the ancestral curse they inherited. Choosing opposite paths, the sisters try to outrun their past, until love, loss and long-buried secrets pull them back together. Forced to confront their family legacy, Sally and Gillian must decide whether the past can be overcome—and how much they are willing to risk for love.”
The Practical Magic story has already proven its staying power across multiple mediums. Hoffman’s original novel captured readers’ imaginations, and the 1998 Warner Bros. film adaptation directed by Griffin Dunne introduced the Owens sisters to an even wider audience. That film starred Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing and Aidan Quinn, becoming a cult favorite that continues to attract new fans more than 25 years after its release.
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More Magic on the Horizon
The timing of this musical announcement is particularly notable given that a film sequel is also in the works. A new Practical Magic film reuniting Bullock and Kidman, directed by Susanne Bier, is set to premiere in cinemas on September 11.
Speaking with Vogue in an interview conducted in August 2025, Kidman discussed appearing on-screen while also working behind it, serving as a producer on Practical Magic 2 alongside costar Sandra Bullock.
Working together again was “joyful” for the pair, Kidman shared. Asked about their reunion, Bullock told the outlet, “It seems both of our mothers raised VERY independent women.”
The film’s feminism exists knowing that witchcraft was often associated with women who were seen societally as too spirited or independent. Agreeing with the idea, Kidman told Vogue that the movie’s feminism was “all wrapped up in a pretty bow, with margaritas!”
While the creative team announcement has generated significant excitement, many details remain unknown. Casting and a production timeline for the musical have not been announced. Theater fans will undoubtedly be eager to learn who will step into the iconic roles of Sally and Gillian Owens, as well as their memorable aunts.
