Content note: bullying
I'm going to start by covering the musical, and then talk a little about differences from the book.
Meg and Charles Wallace Murry's father disappeared two years ago. Three strange ladies, who say they are more like stars than angels, appear and say they know how to help Meg and Charles Wallace find him. Calvin, a school mate arrives and says he felt compelled to talk to Meg. The three ladies decide he should also join them. Three three kids and three ladies journey across planets in their quest to retrieve Dr. Murry.
I got a little teary in the very first song, so I was sucked in quickly. The cast includes Amber Gray as Mrs. Whatsit, and Vickie Lewis as Mrs. Which. I mention them because I was familiar with their work but the cast was excellent from top to bottom. The music was enchanting in places, ethereal and otherworldly in others. The costumes and hair were fascinating. And they made great use of a smallish stage.
It was amazing enough that I considered going immediately to buy another ticket to see it again.
Now. I still have lines from this book memorized. So I am both an avid and annoying audience. There are changes, books are not musicals. But that this show was crafted by folks who love this story seemed clear throughout.
Some obvious changes, the twins are gone. (Sorry Sandy and Dennis fans.) Charles Wallace wears overalls, but is played by a college kid. He is believably in school, but not believably six. (His age is not mentioned.)
Calvin is new in town, and no mention is made of siblings. Only that his parents work multiple jobs and might not notice if he misses dinner.
They chose to act out the tesseract, which was to me a little odd, but I got used to it, as the tesseract went on.
I don't want to spoil how they changed the meeting with It, but I thought it worked well.
Note: I attended a masked showing. Most patrons seemed to arrive without masks, and made use of the surgical masks the ticket takers gave out.
