R.J. Palacio’s bestselling children’s novel Wonder, which was adapted by Lionsgate into a $300 million-grossing worldwide box-office hit, may be heading to Broadway.
Tony-winning producer Jill Furman (Hamilton) has signed on as lead producer for a stage musical version of Wonder, which concerns Auggie Pullman, a boy born with facial differences who struggles to blend in. The film was directed by Stephen Chbosky, who penned the screenplay with Steven Conrad and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Jack Thorne.
“I am beyond happy and grateful that Wonder is being adapted for theatre by this incredible team,” said Palacio in a statement. “What I’ve always loved the most about musical theatre is its timelessness—its ability to resonate around the world and across generations. That Wonder and its message of kindness is to become part of that canon for the ages is, quite literally, a dream come true.”
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“RJ’s indelible characters leapt off the page, and I wept through the movie. I couldn’t help but feel there was a musicality to the characters’ voices and their story,” added Furman. “At a time when ‘otherness’ is under attack, Wonder celebrates difference in a beautiful way that we should all admire and emulate.”
A creative team will be announced at a later date.
The stage adaptation of Wonder follows the recent announcement that Lionsgate will bring its hit television series Nashville to Broadway, kicking off a series of live stage productions based on Lionsgate film and television properties.
