"Wonder" - by Sarah Ruhl, Ian Axel and Chad King - American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?”
- ("Mr. Tushman") - J.M. Barrie's "The Little White Bird"
American Repertory Theater
Presents the Musical
"WONDER"
A World-Premiere Musical Adaptation!
Book by Sarah Ruhl
Music & Lyrics by A Great Big World (Ian Axel & Chad King)
Based on the novel “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio and the Lionsgate and Mandeville film "Wonder"
Directed by Taibi Magar
Choreographed by Katie Spelman
Music Supervisor Nadia DiGiallonardo
Orchestrations and Arrangements by Ian Axel, Chad King, Nadia DiGiallonardo, Yair Evnine, Zach Jones
Music Director Ryan Cantwell
Cast Includes: Melvin Abston as “Mr. Tushman,” Donovan Louis Bazemore as “Jack,” Diego Cordova as “Justin,” Kaylin Hedges as “Via,” Kylie MiRae Kuioka as “Summer,” Raymond J. Lee as “Mr. Browne,” Reese Levine as “Julian,” Alison Luff as “Isabel,” Skylar Matthews as “Charlotte,” Garrett McNally as “Auggie (at certain performances),” Javier Muñoz as “Nate,” Paravi as “Miranda,” Nathan Salstone as “Moon Boy,” Pearl Sun as “Ms. Petosa, Mrs. Albans,” Nicholas Trupia as “Amos,” Max Voehl as “Auggie (at certain performances),” Sky Vaux Fuller as “Understudy for Charlotte, Summer,” Brit Garner as “Understudy for Ms. Petosa, Mrs. Albans,” Quinn Murphy as “Understudy for Amos, Jack, Julian,” Rob Tucker as “Understudy for Mr. Browne, Mr. Tushman.”
Ensemble: Ryan Behan, Maddy Le, Gabrielle Greene as Ensemble Understudy
Additional Creative Team:
Scenic Design - Matt Saunders; Costume Design - Linda Cho; Lighting Design - Bradley King; Sound Design - Cody Spencer; Hair, Wig and Make-up Design - Rachael Geier; Casting Director - C12 Casting; Associate Choreographer - Emily Madigan; Associate Director - Cagla Karslioglu; Production Stage Manager - Katherine Wallace; Dance Captain - Ryan Behan; Fight Captain - Raymond J. Lee.
Performances:
December 9, 2025 through February 15, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.) Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. 02138
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) rings in 2026 with the fascinating and heartwarming musical premiere of "WONDER."
A.R.T. has gifted us a jubilant, effervescent "WONDER" which is based upon the 2012 R.J. Palacio novel, first adapted for a 2017 motion picture and now adapted for the stage in musical form with Book by Sarah Ruhl.
This is a musical that will either have you welling up at the sheer joy expressed by the actors on stage or it will have you near-cringing at the “Disney, Jr.” level of story structure which is elevated by the delightful score and impeccable performances by the ensemble.
Although some may consider the structure of "WONDER" as “trivial” or gushing with sitcom level frivolity, this is a family-friendly musical that will delight many as it ushers forth its messages of inclusion, kindness and imagination.
The marvelous technical wizardry involved also helps to restate a message that has been getting lost of late in today’s America that differences matter.
ALL.DIFFERENCES.MATTER.
(Photo: Nathan Salstone as “Moon Boy,” Javier Muñoz as “Nate,” Alison Luff as “Isabel,” Garrett McNally as “Auggie” and Kaylin Hedges as “Via” in a scene from the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through February 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
The upbeat score for "WONDER" has been provided by the Ian Axel and Chad King of the Grammy Award-winning “A Great Big World.”
As "WONDER" begins, we are introduced to August “Auggie” Pullman (portrayed in some performances by Garrett McNally and in others by Max Voehl), a child born with a craniofacial difference navigating his first year of middle school.
Young middle-school age Auggie is an avowed geek, adoring subjects such as science and astronomy.
Up until now, Auggie has been living an almost “Walter Mitty-esque” illusory life in his room, fantasizing he is handsome astronaut and galactic hero “Moon Boy” (an alter ego portrayed by Nathan Salstone).
Salstone has a rich, phenomenal voice as he conveys certain emotions while singing most of the songs for McNally and Voehl.
(Photo: Garrett McNally as “Auggie” and Donovan Louis Bazemore as “Jack” in a scene from the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through February 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
The A.R.T. stage becomes enveloped in dazzling displays of the galaxy as Auggie and Moon Boy together travel the stars.
The bond between Moon Boy and Auggie is deep, although they barely even look at one another directly as they go together on their adventures in space.
Back down on earth, though, Auggie has been home-schooled by his mother, Isabel (Alison Luff) who advises Auggie he has learned all he can from her and must now enter a public middle school where he can interact and socialize with young people his own age.
In other words, now is when Auggie's real life adventure begins.
Auggie’s father Nate (Javier Muñoz) agrees with Isabel but is concerned they might be moving too fast in their decision.
Both Muñoz and Luff are outstanding as compassionate parents facing the difficult decision of inserting their sheltered Auggie into an environment which could be - and is - occasionally cruel.
When Auggie soon has several calamitous events happen during his first few problematic weeks at school, Isabel tries to comfort her son, singing to him as she reminds him “You Are Beautiful.”
(Photo: The CAST of the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through February 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
Auggie’s older sister, Via (Kaylin Hedges) adores her brother and has always been protective of him.
Now, though, as Via enters high school, she begins to feel eclipsed in her parents’ eyes by her brother’s new exciting adventures into the public school universe.
Under the direction of Taibi Magar there are many marvelous scenes in A.R.T.'s "WONDER" which (thanks to the Book by Ruhl) maintains an elevated viewpoint for the most part, while trying to keep the tired “fish out of water” motif with Auggie being the “awkward new kid in a public school” to a minimum.
Those who mock Auggie for his facial non-conformities soon discover and address their own non-conformities, keeping the show grounded in reality.
As for the musical numbers, the show has a vibrant score with a fine blend upbeat group numbers well-choregraphed by Katie Spelman and emotionally rendered ballads.
Complimenting Isabel’s “You Are Beautiful,” Via’s song “Around the Sun” is another emotionally charged moment rendered marvelously by Hedges.
(Photo: Alison Luff as “Isabel” tries in song to comfort Garrett McNally as “Auggie” in a moment from the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through February 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
Should this transfer to Broadway, in the form of a suggestion to the creatives involved, during previews the team may want to address one particular number, “This is War.”
The song arrives mid-way through Act Two, but it actually lends itself to being a far superior way to end Act One, introducing earlier the adult antagonist “Mrs. Albans” (played by Pearl Sun who also shines as teacher “Ms. Petosa”) who currently arrives far too late and reduces the added conflict in the story as it is now structured.
“War” also resolves certain plot points in the blink of an eye, thereby reducing or completely removing some scenes which could prove more emotionally charged.
Auggie does have allies when he is befriended by Jack (Donovan Louis Bazemore) and Summer (Kylie MiRae Kuioka) but must contend with others, such as Julian (Reese Levine), who look upon Auggie with less-accepting eyes and eyes filled with cruel intent.
Auggie learns that his situation may be compounded by his “unique-ness” but ultimately the bullying, peer pressure and a desire for companionship and just to belong is far from being unique to him.
Overcoming such challenges, pressing forward against adversity after adversity, day after day, is something we must all contend with, long after middle school ends.
(Photo: The CAST of the new musical "WONDER" now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through February 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
"WONDER" continues at A.R.T. until February 15th, 2026 and not only entertaining for the entire family, the story should prompt some enlightening discussions among those families long after leaving the theatre.
Coming up next at A.R.T. will be "BLACK SWAN" beginning May 26th and running through June 28th, 2026. For tickets and more information, visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org
Approximately two hours, 15 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University's Loeb Drama Center will present "WONDER"“We can change the way we see.”
Based on the novel "WONDER" by R.J. Palacio and the Lionsgate and Mandeville film "WONDER," this uplifting new musical follows the Pullman family as they navigate change, identity, and what it means to belong.
Auggie Pullman has been homeschooled his entire life, often retreating to outer space in his imagination.
But when his family decides it’s time for him to start going to school, Auggie must take off the space helmet he has used to hide his facial difference.
As Auggie navigates a world filled with kindness and cruelty, his parents and sister go on their own journeys of transformation and discovery.
Featuring a driving, pop-inspired score, "WONDER" celebrates empathy, resilience, and the power of choosing kindness.
Taibi Magar ("Night Side Songs," "Macbeth In Stride," "We Live in Cairo," and others at A.R.T.) directs this world-premiere adaptation with a score by Ian Axel and Chad King, the GRAMMY Award-winning duo behind A Great Big World (“Say Something,” “This Is the New Year”), and a book by MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl ("Eurydice;" "The Clean House;" "Smile, a memoir").
ABOUT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER
MISSION
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner.
VISION
We focus on the research and development of groundbreaking theatrical experiences that catalyze dialogue and transformation. We believe that by engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward. We commit to advancing public health in our practice and our programming, recognizing that racism in America is a national public health crisis. Our new home in Allston will be a breathable and healthy building envisioned as a town hall for the twenty-first century. Inspired by the model of a teaching hospital, the building will be a vibrant center for research, experiential pedagogy, and performance. We build community with our audiences, artists, students, staff, and neighbors across Greater Boston, embracing theater’s power to cultivate the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We affirm and celebrate a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.
VALUES
We hold the institution and each other responsible and accountable for living our shared values. There is no hierarchy to these values; they are all equally important and interrelated. We acknowledge that as an institution we must devote time to implementing and sustaining these values:
- We center anti-racism
- Habituate anti-racist practices in our policies, structure, and culture
- We lead with inquiry
- Ask questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in our never-ending journey of learning and growth
- We believe in collaboration
- Work together with trust and respect to unlock collective creativity
- We practice adaptability
- Challenge assumptions and create capacity to support “next” practices
- We embrace regenerative practice
- Promote the health and vitality of our planet, our organization, and each other
