By MATT ZWYYER
Waterville Playshop PR Trustee
Waterville is already back on the stage just one month after its production of “Godspell”, and this time, we have a show perfect for kids of all ages! Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” is a captivating piece of theatre that celebrates the experience of childhood, the power of imagination, and the determination of a little girl who dreams she can make a big difference! With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill audiences with its high-energy dance numbers and incredibly catchy tunes. You can now be one of those captivated audience members!
Matilda the Musical is based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 book, Matilda, and the subsequent 1996 movie of the same name (starring Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman). It is the story of a little girl with astonishing wit and extraordinary powers. She is unloved by her cruel parents but fascinates her teacher, the loveable Miss Honey. Early in the school year, Miss Honey quickly begins to appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. And together, those two must contend with the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. Matilda decides she has to stand up against her injustice, and she realizes that nobody else can change her story! But with her courage and cleverness, she could do just that.
Director Shauna Newbold leads this stellar cast of both kids and adults from all over the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan area. Matt Zwyer and Jenny Jackson are music directors, and Sarah Matlow is the choreographer. The cast includes Abby Karakas as Matilda, Annelise Clifton as Miss Trunchbull, and Jennifer Braun as Miss Honey.
The cast and creative team began working on this show before Covid, and they are so excited they finally get to share it with the public. So you don’t want to miss this magical experience almost 2 full years in the making!
Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23, at 8 pm, and Sunday, October 24 at 2:30, at the Maumee Indoor Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at www.watervilleplayshop.org. Adult tickets are $17, and student/senior tickets are $15. They will also be available at the door.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL is produced with special permission from Music Theatre International (MTI), New York, NY.
