There’s a good reason why Hocus Pocus is such a staple of the Halloween season. It has been a yearly tradition for many since its first release in 1993 to see the cherished picture, which has both a stellar cast and the enchantment of the Sanderson Sisters. Hocus Pocus 2 is here in theatres, and the nostalgia train is racing into the station full steam ahead. Because the long-promised Broadway musical may finally come to fruition. Moviegoers saw what would happen if three witches were revived on All Hallows’ Eve as Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sanderson Sisters did in the film.
Even though the sequel hasn’t come out yet, it’s already receiving a lot of praise and has renewed people’s interest in the film. Finally, executive producer David Kirschner has dropped hints that the Sanderson Sisters may be headed to Broadway. To host Robert Peterpaul on the Broadway Podcast Network’s The Art of Kindness podcast, Kirschner revealed, “This started before COVID, but now it seems to be back on, and that is that they are building a Broadway version of Hocus Pocus.” He provided no additional details, but he did say, “I think you’re going to be very pleased.”
Not for the first time have we heard rumours about a Broadway production. Kenny Ortega, who directed the original film, told Forbes he hoped to adapt it for the stage before the pandemic hit. If I could perform in any Broadway show, Hocus Pocus would be it. If Disney Theatrical Group head Thomas Schumacher were to contact me, I’d love to have a conversation about how amazing it would be to turn Hocus Pocus into a musical. And, really? This plan has tremendous potential for success. In the first film, having Midler in it meant that we got a musical number in “I Put a Spell On You” (because how are you going to have Midler in a movie and not have her sing? ), so adapting the show with more music and still having that iconic flair that fans know and love from the film would work wonderfully on stage! Nothing has been decided upon at this point, however, it would be lovely to see the world of Hocus Pocus go on now that a new generation will encounter the Sanderson Sisters for the first time.