I wasn’t expecting to like, no..LOVE, Matilda the Musical as much as I did. I’m not a huge fan of children’s shows and I thought of it as a kid’s musical. My mother in law really wanted to see Matilda when it came to the Dr. Philips Center and here it is in all its glory! And glorious it is. I’ve seen a lot of musicals, many on Broadway and I can say this is probably a top 3 favorite. Tickets are on sale now for shows through Sunday May 14th.
The story of a little girl, unloved and disrespected by her parents but extraordinary in many ways was colorful and well performed. There are 3 different actresses who play Matilda and we saw Gabby Gutierrez who was an absolute doll. She tells Matilda’s stories like the professional she has grown to be. Full of light and so much joy. I’d really like to see her in another role in the future.
Matilda the Musical – The Characters
Dan Chameroy playing Miss Trunchbull, the evil and abusive head mistress at Crunchem Hall keeps you laughing the entire show. She is played by a man but I can’t imagine the character any other way. All of her numbers are highly entertaining. Agatha Trunchbull is an Olympian in the hammer toss and enjoys using those skills on the children. She’ll also partake in some ribbon dancing. Worth every penny!
Mrs. Wormwood has quite an unrealistic view of what the world looks like, wrapped up in salsa dancing and television. Her big personality keeps you smiling even when you are rolling your eyes. Mr. Wormwood can’t remember that Matilda is a girl, or doesn’t care to, because he’s too busy swindling in the used car business. He’s a character and I don’t just mean because he’s in the play.
Finally the children are what makes the Matilda the Musical production really heartfelt and memorable. Little Bruce who eats all of the Trunchbull’s cake and Lavender who decides she wants to be Matilda’s best friend make you fall in love. You root for them as their being abused even though you are laughing at the funny way Roald Dahl imagined the headmistresses abuse. Swinging a small girl around by her pigtails so she flies through the sky. While Matilda does have heart tugging moments, none of them are in the form of physical abuse.
If you’ve only seen the movie you don’t quite have the story down. The book is quite a bit different, as most books are. The play is based on the Roald Dahl book so be prepared for this. I say run don’t walk to purchase tickets to this fun and emotionally packed musical at Dr. Philips Center now through Sunday. Take your mom, it is Mother’s Day weekend after all!
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