Broadway has always drawn inspiration from the written word. From Les Misérables to The Color Purple, some of theatre’s most beloved scores have literary roots. The current pipeline of novel-to-musical adaptations shows this trend is stronger than ever.
Novels Already Heading to Broadway
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil – John Berendt’s Savannah-set bestseller offers a Southern Gothic blend of mystery, magic, and scandal. With Jason Robert Brown and Taylor Mac at the helm, this adaptation promises to be one of Broadway’s most original projects in years.
Beaches: The Musical – Iris Rainer Dart’s emotional tale (immortalized in the Bette Midler film) has been circling Broadway for years. After workshops and regional productions, it’s finally approaching Broadway with Lonny Price as director. Expect soaring ballads and plenty of emotional moments.
Anne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery’s spirited heroine is making the journey from Prince Edward Island to Broadway. Anne’s story of belonging, imagination, and coming-of-age seems perfectly suited for a heartfelt musical score.
These join recent literary adaptations like The Great Gatsby, The Notebook, and Water for Elephants, proving Broadway’s appetite for book-based material.
The Next Hit Musical?
Some classic novels would make for great musicals. We experimented with some titles for your enjoyment.
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn’s psychological thriller could translate into a noir-pop musical with unreliable narrators and dueling perspectives. Think Chicago meets Next to Normal with a contemporary edge. In a Broadway landscape that has embraced Parade, The Outsiders and Sweeney Todd, there’s room for darker material.
Mark Twain’s Catalog – Beyond Big River (Roger Miller’s take on Huckleberry Finn), Twain’s works offer untapped potential. The Prince and the Pauper could become a family-friendly spectacle.
The Catcher in the Rye – Holden Caulfield navigating New York with an alternative rock score could be the next Spring Awakening. The obstacle? J.D. Salinger’s estate has historically blocked adaptations. But if permissions were ever granted, it could electrify audiences.
Rebecca – Daphne du Maurier’s gothic masterpiece attempted a Broadway run in the 2010s but was derailed by legal and financial troubles. The source material remains compelling: a haunted estate, a menacing housekeeper, and a romance that ends in flames. The right creative team could finally bring this sweeping, operatic story to life. Maybe even a modern twist?
Lord of the Flies – Golding’s survival tale reimagined with choral harmonies and primal rhythms could be a daring new musical. The challenge? Making savagery sing without losing its edge.
The Exorcist – A rock-opera showdown of faith versus possession, complete with theatrical spectacle, could thrill Broadway. The risk? Special effects must serve the story, not swamp it.
The Scarlet Letter – Hawthorne’s tale of shame and resilience could soar with sweeping ballads and lush ensembles. The hurdle? Turning Puritan austerity into riveting stage drama.
Literature provides the emotional intensity that musicals require —love, loss, betrayal, triumph, and transformation. The best novel-to-musical adaptations don’t just retell stories; they find the songs hidden within the text.
With several literary adaptations currently in development, the next great novel-to-musical hit might already be sitting on your bookshelf, waiting for the right creative team to discover its hidden melodies.