Silver Linings Playbook Is Becoming a Stage Musical

By Ahaqir Ishaq | October 20, 2026

Silver Linings Playbook is taking another step toward the stage. A musical adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel and David O. Russell’s film will receive a private industry reading on October 23, 2026, with songs by A Great Big World.

For readers wondering when they can see it, a public opening date has yet to be announced. The upcoming reading is a development milestone, rather than the start of a public run.

Who Is Creating the Silver Linings Playbook Musical?

According to Broadway News, A Great Big World’s Ian Axel and Chad King are writing the music and lyrics. Rick Elice is writing the book—the dialogue and story structure and Jessica Stone is directing.

Elice’s credits include Jersey Boys and Water for Elephants. Stone directed Kimberly Akimbo and Water for Elephants, giving the collaborators experience bringing character-driven stories to musical theater.

The project was first reported in development in 2021. This week’s reading marks its latest announced step.

What Is Silver Linings Playbook About?

Before it became a film, The Silver Linings Playbook was Quick’s debut novel, published in September 2008.

As described on Matthew Quick’s official website, the book follows Pat Peoples, who returns to his parents’ home after years in a mental health facility. He believes that becoming fitter and more emotionally supportive will help him reunite with his estranged wife, Nikki.

Then he meets Tiffany, a widow who offers to help him communicate with Nikki if he becomes her partner in a dance competition. Pat’s hopes for reconciliation become entangled with an unexpected relationship.

Readers coming from the film will notice a difference immediately: the novel’s protagonist is Pat Peoples, while the movie uses Pat Solitano.

The 2012 adaptation starred Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence won Best Actress for her performance at the 2013 Academy Awards.

Why the Story Could Work as a Musical

The dance partnership provides an obvious opportunity for movement onstage. But the more interesting possibility is what songs could reveal about the characters.

Quick’s novel places readers inside Pat’s perspective, where his expectations and the world around him do not always align. A stage musical could use that distance creatively, allowing audiences to hear what a character hopes for while seeing the complications surrounding those hopes.

That is an opportunity for the adaptation, rather than a confirmed description of its approach. The announced creative team has yet to reveal enough to judge how the finished show will balance humor, grief and mental health.

Is There a Release Date or Cast?

As of October 20, 2026, no public production date, venue or cast has been announced. PEOPLE reports that casting for the private reading has also not been revealed.

For now, readers can return to the novel that started the story while the musical continues its development.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Books of Brilliance earns from qualifying purchases.

Want to read the original? Find The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick on Amazon.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook