Many people are excited to finally see the world premiere of Freak the Mighty, a musical coproduction between the Seattle Rep and the Cleveland Play House.

Maxwell Kane, a shy boy with learning disabilities, and Kevin “Freak” Avery, who has physical disabilities, feel like outcasts that don’t fit in — until they find each other. Armed with big imaginations, sharp humor, and rebellious spirits, the teens become “Freak the Mighty,” a duo ready to take on the world. 

Freak the Mighty is based on the 1993 best-selling young adult novel by Rodman Philbrick, which was also adapted into a film, The Mighty, in 1998, starring Kieran Culkin and Sharon Stone. The musical is suitable for all ages. 

Dámaso Rodríguez, artistic director at the Seattle Rep, certainly agrees: “This is the kind of show you bring someone you love to see. Like the great coming-of-age stories many of us grew up with, it's filled with humor, imagination, and heart. But what makes it truly special is the way it centers characters who are rarely at the center of the story.”

The production had an initial developmental outing in Cleveland, where audiences embraced the message of finding your “people” when you feel left out and different. Part of the excitement here in Seattle comes from the identities of the producers: Junkyard Dog Productions (Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff, Randy Adams, and Sue Frost), which was behind the musical Come from Away, a global success with many tours and productions. 

The Alhadeffs are a storied theater-supporting local couple (with a Broadway-worthy performing daughter, Andi Alhadeff) who are now heavily involved in producing and promoting musicals they hope are destined for Broadway. After Junkyard Dog’s hugely successful world premiere of Come from Away at the Seattle Rep, all involved were motivated to “do it again,” and this is the resulting production. 

With the book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, and music by Ryan Fielding Garrett, we may be the first ones to see the next exciting Broadway show! 

Freak the Mighty starts previews on July 30, with opening night on August 5. It seems like a pretty good bet to be a great evening of heartwarming music and story.