Matilda, now playing at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, has garnered rave reviews from some pretty big hitters. Adapted from Roald Dahl's much loved story, I was excited to see how it came to life on stage here in Lansing. I sat next to Fox 47’s Community Coordinator, Cindy Kangas and we decided to both take on the review to give you two perspectives of the performance!
Immediately upon the opening number, you can see this Matilda is “darker,” than what you’d expect.
It is also fast moving, with some of the cast using accents – so consider grabbing a lyric sheet on your way in.
We quickly learn Matilda is a young genius who can read and spell before her time. She immerses herself in books and storytelling, perhaps because it takes her out of the real world where her parents bemoan her very existence, ridicule her and resent her. She has to learn to navigate school, and outrageous and angry Miss Trenchbull, whom is artfully played by actor David Ables. Matilda forms a kinship with her teacher Ms. Honey, who becomes Matilda’s protector and advocate.
Matilda sports a relatively small cast, and a fairly basic set. The cast is hardworking and talented –which especially held true during one of the early numbers “The school song,” where they danced, climbed the school gate and managed a very well synced placing of alphabet blocks inside the gate to match the choreography.
Matilda is stronger than we know… she lives by the mantra “If it’s not right, you have to put it right.” And that she does.
After intermission is where the magic happens.
And I pass the baton to Cindy for her review!
The second act opened in an extremely humorous manner. Matilda’s dad, Mr. Wormwood sang an animated tribute to watching television directly to audience members. It was adorable!
Throughout act two, the props were impressive, the special effects intensified and dance numbers became extremely intricate. The cast members were dancing on desks, swinging on swings and at one point there was a trampoline on stage.Their athleticism was impressive.
Mrs. Trenchbull (David Ables), was comic relief times 10. His timing and mannerisms had the audience laughing out-loud on several occasions.
In the end, I left wondering how all the small children in the cast were able to perform the extensive script and dance numbers with such ease. If I could bottle their energy, I definitely would.
Fans of the original Ronald Dahl book know how the story ends. I found the musical interpretation true to the original. For such a small soul, Matilda stays strong through all the negativity in her life, which inspires her classmates and ultimately Ms. Honey. The show does have a few dark twists, but for the most part it’s a family-friendly story of perseverance.
Take your family to see it at Wharton and be sure to buy your kids the book.
For more information on the Wharton Center, clickhere.
