A story about the struggles faced by children as they grow up, “Matilda the Musical” features a packed cast of kids whose talent and musical numbers outshine the adults they share the stage with.
A fun, whimsical reminder to be kinder to the children MONTGOMERY , Ala. - A story about the struggles faced by children as they grow up, “ Matilda the Musical” features a packed cast of kids whose talent and musical numbers outshine the adults they share the stage with.
Set in 1980s England, “Matilda” begins with our namesake child being born to perhaps the dumbest set of parents in the world: a mother who had no idea she was pregnant until the day she gave birth, and a father who can’t understand why his new “son” doesn’t have “a thingy.” Their firstborn child is no better. Despite the bedazzled shirt declaring him “genius,” he’s a mostly-silent boy whose blank grin and tiny vocabulary bring the audience big laughs. The intelligence-lacking family is shocked and appalled the day they find their 5-year-old daughter Matilda reading a novel. She is berated and punished, but the clever girl only retaliates with harsh pranks against her father. But her father is not concerned. He knows she will soon be sent to school to learn under the ruthless Principal Trunchbull, where he expects Matilda’s curious and rebellious spirit to be broken. But despite her young genius, Matilda’s real greatest power lies in her unwavering confidence. The school she is sent to is akin to a prison where Miss Trunchbull treats the children like “maggots” and subjects them to cruel and unusual punishments, such as “Phys Ed” and the much feared “chokey,” a cabinet in her office laiden with spikes where children are locked up and struggle to breath. The ensemble of children does a wonderful job of displaying both the pains and joys of the children at Matilda’s school through song and dance, lamenting their situation and dreaming of better days ahead when they grow up. But Matilda’s spirit does not break. In fact, she finds herself even more determined to best the cruel adults in her life, doubling down on her prank efforts and deceiving Miss Trunchbull to save her friends from punishment. But not every adult is so bitter. Matilda finds relief in the few adults in her life who support her intelligence and creativity. Her teacher, the wonderful Miss Honey, takes a shine to Matilda and tries to teach her at the level she needs, even becoming like a new mother figure as she becomes attached to Matilda and her daily struggles. Mrs. Phelps, the public librarian, falls in love with Matilda’s storytelling spirit and excitedly listens to every new chapter of the fictional story she makes up along the way. Matilda’s ongoing daydream is a central factor of the show as she uses her creativity to process her emotions. Every few scenes, Matilda is back at the library, telling the sweet lovely librarian the next chapter in the story of “The Escapologist and the Acrobat.” Each chapter is a clear reference to something she’s struggling with as she uses her story to express herself and process much of the pain she struggles with on a daily basis. The cast brings Matilda’s daydreams to life, acting out her stories on stage as she tells them, bringing a new sense of reality to what she suffers in silence. Despite the show’s sometimes-heavy themes, it is balanced with an exaggerated and colorful set, and an adult cast to match. The silly, highly exaggerated adult characters and charmingly childlike set designs bring the play a sense of whimsy, like a storybook on-stage.A tale of self-confidence, and a reminder of just how harrowing childhood can sometimes be, “Matilda the Musical” is a whimsical delight for the whole family that will have you laughing, crying, and singing along.
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