Garrett McNally (Auggie) and Donovan Louis Bazemore (Jack) in “Wonder.”

“Wonder,” a best-selling 2012 children’s novel and a popular 2017 movie, is now a musical and its world premiere is on stage through Feb. 8 at the American Repertory Theater in Harvard Square.

The A.R.T. transforms R. J.Palacio’s beloved novel into an exuberant production with a cast of 17 actors and 19 songand-dance numbers. Unfolding at a buoyant pace over two hours with one intermission, A.R.T.’s “Wonder” follows Auggie, a boy with a craniofacial difference, as he attends school for the first time. He enters seventh grade after years of surgeries and home schooling surrounded by his loving family and accompanied by his alter ego and imaginary friend, Moon Boy.

With his facial difference provoking taunts and bullying from some classmates, Auggie’s considerable talents, including science acumen and a sense of humor, only go so far in winning acceptance. Yet Auggie comes to accept himself and in the process also changes his classmates as he experiences friendship, kindness and self-respect despite setbacks.

Turning this intimate story into a high-energy musical directed by Taibi Magar, with a book by playwright Sarah Ruhl, the A.R.T. production at times favors staging over story. Its simple and bold music (directed by Ryan Cantwell, with melodies and lyrics by musical duo A Great Big World — Ian Axel and Chad King) is tightly synchronized with Katie Spelman’s choreography. A host of scenes showcase the talented ensemble but some pivotal moments between characters flash by at a flip-book pace.

Scenic design by Matt Saunders includes a turntable stage that streamlines transitions between school and home settings and between Auggie’s inner and outer worlds. Lighting by Bradley King guides the eye to moments of intimacy and pixelated squares of light appear as scenes change. Their colors vary with the mood of each episode — turning black and white in a scene in which a newfound friendship seems lost.

Costumes by Linda Cho fit each occasion, from conservative school uniforms to a carnivalesque array of Halloween costumes. Auggie wears a black cloak and a mask with the skulllike face of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” an iconic image of anxiety.

Animating the drama underlying the fanfare is a terrific cast that includes many young actors. Unaffected and natural as Auggie, Garrett McNally (alternating performances with Max Voehl) is a lanky, vulnerable boy who is nevertheless game and in the course of the story comes to stand tall. Nathan Salstone as Moon Boy, Auggie’s alter ego, has a beautiful singing voice with which he encourages Auggie to leave behind their matching white helmets and spacesuits and space shuttle bed.

Donovan Louis Bazemore excels as Jack Will, Auggie’s first true friend, injecting earnest enthusiasm and, when called for, genuine remorse into his role. Skylar Matthews belts a bravura solo as Charlotte, a hammy aspiring actress.

Auggie’s parents, Isabel (Alison Luff) and Nate (Javier Muñoz) have provided Auggie with a privileged home life and now, a dream of a private school headed by an amiable and kind principal, Mr. Tushman, a gentle giant of a man as performed by Melvin Abston. Scenes in the classroom provide the best comic moments. A nimble Raymond J. Lee as Mr. Browne, the English teacher, orchestrates a lesson that turns into a snappy song-and-dance routine. As Ms. Petosa, the science teacher, Pearl Sun introduces her topic with ecstatic vocal and physical arabesques that make her preteen students seem like a dull lot by comparison.

Auggie’s family life is not without complication as Via (Kaylin Hedges), his loving teenaged sister, bristles at their parents’ habit of always putting him first. And she misses her best friend Miranda, portrayed with earthy warmth by Paravi, who has been inexplicably ignoring her texts.

A high school production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” brings Via together with Miranda and sparks an instant crush between Via and Justin. As the spellbound Justin, Diego Cordova makes the electricity of love at first sight palpable throughout the theater.

More of such intimate moments would enrich A.R.T.’s “Wonder” but in its exuberance, the musical has no shortage of verve and heart.

ON THE WEB

Learn more at: americanrepertorytheater.org/shows-events/wonder