Silver Linings Playbook, a musical adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel and David O. Russell’s 2012 film, is getting a private industry reading on Friday, October 23, 2026, with songs by A Great Big World, a book by Rick Elice and direction by Jessica Stone.
The score marks a move to the stage for Ian Axel and Chad King, the duo who record as A Great Big World. They met at New York University in 2005 hoping to write a musical, then made their name in pop instead, winning a 2015 Grammy for “Say Something,” their duet with Christina Aguilera.
Elice, a four-time Tony nominee, has Broadway credits that include the books for Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, The Cher Show and Water for Elephants, as well as the play Peter and the Starcatcher; The Princess Bride is next on his slate. Stone, who directed Water for Elephants, was Tony-nominated for it in 2024 and for Kimberly Akimbo in 2023. She was named artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse in November 2025, and her first season there opens in April 2027.
Set in a Philadelphia neighborhood, the story follows a man bent on reconciling with his wife who finds an unlikely ally, and a dance partner, in someone he would never have picked. The film, with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver, took more than $200 million worldwide and eight Academy Award nominations, Best Picture among them. It was the first film in more than 30 years to be nominated in all four acting categories, and Lawrence won Best Actress.
The lead producers are James D. Stern, a two-time Tony winner for The Producers and Hairspray, and Oren Michels, a Tony nominee whose Broadway credits include Romeo + Juliet and Good Night, and Good Luck. Tom Viertel is executive producer, and Bespoke Theatricals is general manager.
The reading is closed to the public. No cast, venue or further dates have been named, and the producers say a production timeline will be announced later.
