Iris Rainer Dart's 'Beaches' Musical Brings Iconic Friendship Story to Broadway

The author of the beloved novel returns to the stage with a new musical adaptation of her epic tale of female friendship.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:53pm

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A striking abstract composition of bold, angular black silhouettes against a stark white background, with splashes of vibrant red, conceptually representing the emotional drama and powerful storytelling of the 'Beaches' musical.The new Broadway musical adaptation of the beloved 'Beaches' story will bring its timeless tale of female friendship to the stage for a new generation of theatergoers.NYC Today

Acclaimed author Iris Rainer Dart is bringing her iconic story 'Beaches' to Broadway as a new musical, opening after more than a decade of development. The emotional tale of the lifelong friendship between two women has resonated with readers for decades, and Dart says the musical will continue to prove how deeply women's bonds can run.

Why it matters

Dart's 'Beaches' has become a beloved classic, spawning a hit 1988 film adaptation starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. The new Broadway musical marks a return to the story's theatrical roots and provides an opportunity for a new generation to experience the powerful story of female friendship.

The details

The musical 'Beaches' opens on Broadway after more than 10 years of development, with Dart closely involved in adapting her own novel for the stage. The story follows the decades-long friendship between two women, Cee Cee and Hillary, from their chance meeting as children to their adult lives. Dart says the musical will stay true to the emotional core of the original story and continue to make audiences cry, just as the novel and film did.

  • Iris Rainer Dart's daughter first noticed people telling her mother they cried while reading 'Beaches' in the late 1980s.
  • The new Broadway musical adaptation of 'Beaches' opens in March 2026.

The players

Iris Rainer Dart

The acclaimed author of the novel 'Beaches', which has become a beloved classic tale of female friendship. Dart is closely involved in the new Broadway musical adaptation of her story.

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What they’re saying

“'She came to me one day and she said, 'Mommy, why do all the other mothers come up to you and say, 'I cried'?' Dart recalls. 'I said, 'Well, Mommy wrote a story that makes people cry.' She didn't think that was so great.'”

— Iris Rainer Dart, Author

What’s next

The new Broadway musical adaptation of 'Beaches' is set to open in March 2026 after more than a decade of development.

The takeaway

Iris Rainer Dart's beloved novel 'Beaches' has resonated with readers for decades through its powerful story of female friendship. The new Broadway musical adaptation will allow a new generation to experience the emotional tale that has made so many readers cry over the years.