If you are looking for all the feels, head to Seattle Rep to catch the Broadway-destined Freak The Mighty. Backed by the heavy-hitting producers of Come From Away, this new adaptation of Rodman Philbrick’s 1993 popular YA novel lands in Seattle with serious Broadway ambitions.

Against an early-90s backdrop, two middle school outsiders team up to survive adolescence. Max is big, quiet, and haunted by family tragedy, while Kevin is brilliant, quick-witted, and physically disabled. With Kevin sitting atop Max’s shoulders, they team up and act as a single unit to face down local bullies, dark secrets at home, and the messy process of growing up.

Director Michael Barakiva keeps things moving briskly. Rather than cluttering the stage with big visual gimmicks, he keeps the spotlight squarely on the kids’ friendship. Same for the writing by Anthony Drewe who nails what it actually feels like to grow up. And Ryan Fielding Garrett delivers a solid set of songs that keeps the overall pace of the show moving right along.

Before arriving in Seattle, the show cut its teeth at co-producer Cleveland Play House and lands at the Rep feeling tight and confident. Backed by the same team behind Come From Away, which launched at Seattle Rep before making its way to Broadway, this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Freak The Mighty runs through September, 6 at Seattle Rep.