Musical version of 'Wonder' makes world premiere at A.R.T. - Harvard Gazette

"The musical, based on the bestselling book by R.J. Palacio and the award-winning movie of the same name, follows Auggie Pullman, a young boy with a facial disability making the transition from home school to public school. In doing so, he navigates the challenges of being seen as different by peers who both embrace and reject him. The musical also explores the perspective of his older sister in a family whose rhythms have revolved around Auggie's medical needs."

"In a time of division, anger, and loneliness, a musical based on a beloved children's book asks us to choose kindness. Taibi Magar expects some to be skeptical. "Some people meet the word kindness with an eye roll," said Magar, the director of " Wonder," making its world premiere this month at American Repertory Theater. "But my experience with this piece has been, ever since working on it, that acts of kindness are actually so radical.""

""'Wonder' does an incredible job of equalizing humanity and showing us the best parts of ourselves," Magar said. "We're each special and unique." Nathan Salstone plays the role of Auggie's imaginary astronaut friend. His character - newly invented for the stage - gives the audience a glimpse of Auggie's internal world, bringing them along as he finds his footing. "We really get to unlock the emotional core of all of these characters," Salstone said."

The musical Wonder, adapted from R.J. Palacio's bestselling book and the award-winning film, follows Auggie Pullman, a young boy with a facial difference transitioning from home school to public school. The production frames kindness as a radical choice amid division, anger, and loneliness. The stage version broadens perspective to include Auggie's older sister and the community, showing how family rhythms revolve around medical needs and how peers both embrace and reject difference. Taibi Magar directs the world premiere at American Repertory Theater. Sarah Ruhl wrote the script, and Ian Axel and Chad King composed a score that highlights the characters' emotional cores.

Read at Harvard Gazette