“The religious overtones in L’Engle’s original text are not part of Jones’s adaption but the remaining elements of the family-friendly stage production focusing on an inter-galactic journey interspersed with scenes youthful curiosity, perseverance and self determination are explored in a surprisingly effective manner along the way.

While the production may not appeal to all tastes, there was a nary a squeak nor disconnected murmur from the young crowd nor any screaming for an ice cream or soft drink before the 20-minute intermission began and those pre-teens sitting in front of your humble scribe were the first to jump to their feet for a much-deserved standing ovation.”

“Despite the galaxy-spanning adventures of A Wrinkle in Time’s three young heroes, there’s a deliberate simplicity to this Stratford Festival production that puts a premium on imagination…

As this year’s Schulich’s Children’s Play, A Wrinkle in Time doesn’t pander to its young audience but instead makes them a part of the experience. Blending the fantastical with a message of love and acceptance, this production serves as a testament to the unquenchable power of the imagination.”

“The kids carry the show and the actors are uniformly excellent. Noah Beemer captures Charles Wallace’s uber geekiness, Celeste Catena delivers a suitably angst-ridden Meg, and Robert Markus, who must be well over thirty, makes a most convincing teenage Calvin.

Of the supernatural spirit guides (if that’s what they are), I was specially taken by Nestor Lozano, Jr., who is such an impressive Angel in Rent, as Mrs. Whatsit and Kim Horsman as Mrs. Which. Erica Peck makes an impression in her brief appearance as the Happy Medium.”

“While an opening set on Earth grounds the story and allows the audience to meet its characters on familiar terms, it’s when the story takes a turn for the extraterrestrial that the production really shines…

Overall, A Wrinkle in Time is an imaginative, heartfelt adaptation, which recognizes (and takes advantage of) the potential of theatre to create a visual spectacle while maintaining the emotional and thematic centre of L’Engle’s story. And if folks leave the theatre hungry for more, then there’s all the more reason to pick up the book.”

“For grown-ups such as myself who adored L’Engle’s 1962 book as a child, the show’s likely to be a happy blast from the past. Things move quickly in the 95-minute show (which includes an intermission)…

the pacing is well-judged to keep younger audience members focused. At the performance I attended, the child spectators around me were attentive throughout and seemed thrilled by what they were seeing, even some scary bits (the show is generally aimed at ages seven and up).”

“A Wrinkle in Time, now on at the Stratford Festival, is a fun, fast-paced flip through the main plot points of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved 1962 novel for young readers of the same name…

After complaining that last year’s three-hour adaptation of Little Women was too long, it would be highly irritating of me to then turn around and say that this year’s show in the slot that Stratford calls its Schulich Children’s Plays is a bit short at just one hour and 35 minutes (including a 20-minute intermission).

And so I won’t. A Wrinkle in Time is a much superior family offering.”