Through the gates of Crunchem Hall, enter the story of “Matilda.” The newest production from the theater department is coming this November. A musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel by the same name, “Matilda” is a show that audience members of any age can watch.
“That’s kind of the best part about it too,” director Shannon Spicer said. “Growing up reading the book, I can now in my mid-forties be excited about going to a show and taking my kids to a show we all know.”
Senior David Garcia and senior Amelia Marsh run lines during after-school rehearsal on Oct. 8. Photo taken by Sofya Kornilova.Having grown up with the book, Spicer was awaiting the right group to bring the story of “Matilda” to life. The specialties of each individual student vary; junior CJ Berejik considers comedy her own, and she gets to utilize it through playing Michael Wormwood.
“I always have a blast getting laughs on stage,” Berejik said. “That’s kind of exclusively what Michael does.”
A new student at Crunchem Hall primary school, Matilda is a bright young girl with a neglectful family. This school is run by an imposing headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The musical follows Matilda’s story as she navigates the new environment.
“Throughout the story, it’s Matilda, this young girl, who is able to change the lives of the people around her for the better,” Spicer said. “With the premise being ‘it doesn’t matter how small you are, or how young you are, you still have the ability to make things right.’”
Most characters in the musical are students, meaning most of the cast members will play a character over a decade younger than they are, such as senior Camile Dausch who plays Matilda.
“One thing about ‘Matilda’ that’s different from other shows is the vast age range, because we’re having high schoolers play full-grown adults while others are playing five year olds,” said Dausch.
“Matilda” will run Nov. 21 through 24, the showings on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd will be at 7 p.m., the 23rd and 24th will be at 2pm, Tickets can be bought in advance at Etix, or at the door.
“I highly encourage everybody to come and see this musical,” Spicer said. “It is so much fun. The upbeat feeling that you have when you leave this show with the staging, with the special effects, with the storyline, is just something that is accessible for every audience member no matter their age, and I am really excited for the community to see it.”
