Cleveland Play House (CPH) presents Freak The Mighty May 22 -June 21 2026, a co-production with Seattle Rep. This new musical with book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, music by Ryan Fielding Garrett, directed by CPH Artistic Director Michael Barakiva, and choreographed by David Connolly, is based on the beloved novel by Rodman Philbrick. The story follows the adventures of two unlikely friends, Maxwell Kane and Kevin “Freak” Avery. Though Maxwell and Kevin feel like outsiders, together they transform into “Freak The Mighty”, a heroic duo empowered to take on the world. Shepherded by the Tony® Award-winning producers of Come From Away, Freak The Mighty celebrates friendship, resilience, and community in the face of adversity: a soaring new musical that connects to the dreamer in all of us.
Cleveland Play House is privileged to partner with Seattle Rep and Tony® and Olivier® Award-winning production company Junkyard Dog Productions (Randy Adams, Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff, and Sue Frost) to produce Freak The Mighty. Premiering this new work in collaboration celebrates Cleveland Play House’s vision to produce works that are welcoming, diverse, distinctive, bold, thrilling, and essential to the community, bringing a fresh story that is equally heartwarming for audience members of all ages.
Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Barakiva states, “It is an honor to be premiering this moving new musical about friendship and healing, which we all need now more than ever.”