VERO BEACH — Riverside Theatre for Kids presents Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story, Matilda, The Musical, live on stage July 19 and 20.
Inspired by author Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Matilda, The Musical is the captivating piece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
“Matilda was one of my favorite stories growing up,” says Director Kevin Quillinan. “This musical adaptation follows the Dahl story brilliantly. The themes are still relevant and inspiring to kids today with its tale of an outcast little girl who uses her differences as strengths to unite her fellow outcasts against a common threat.”
Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. July 19 and 20. Tickets are $10 and can purchased by calling the Riverside Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality.
Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the students’ saving grace!
“Matilda sings a lyric which sums up the show excellently,” says Quillinan. “It goes: ‘Just because life’s not fair it doesn’t mean that you just have to grin and bear it. If you always take it on the chin and wear it, you might as well be saying you think that it’s okay, and that’s not right! And if it’s not right, you have to put it right.’”
The Cast of Matilda, The Musical includes: Catie Lincoln (Matilda Wormwood), Zane Morrow (Miss Agatha Trunchbull), Rebecca Kaylor (Miss Honey), Billy Banks III (Mr. Wormwood), Kristina Gregg (Mrs. Wormwood), Avery Kissam (Michael Wormwood), Chantal E. Werner (Bruce), Zoe Bernice Carmody (Lavender), Jaharee Miree (Mrs. Phleps), Emily Duncanson (The Escapologist, Doctor), Cristina Pines (The Acrobat, Entertainer), Kelsey Albrecht (Rudolpho), Audrey Baudek (Cook, Sergei), Isabella Curulla (Amanda), Calie Huff (Nigel), Devereau Tate (Eric), Abigail Moon Lantz (Alice), Ava Powers (Hortensia), Kenan Ried Willard (Tommy), with Savannah Brown, Ruby Offut DeGroat, and Lauren Grace Chesley as Henchmen 1, 2 and 3.
Additional cast members include: Daniela Castro, Samantha Curulla, Charlize Jijon, Lillian McCullough, Rosemary McCullough, and Molly Reiman.
Along with Director Quillinan, the creative team includes: Debbie Quillinan (Music Director), Angelo Cerniglia (Associate Director/Choreographer), Cassandra Brooks, Ben Lundy, Mac Ogle, Parker Reeves, Sofia Tosches and Samantha Young (Assistant Directors/Choreographers), Emily Luongo (Scenic Design), Anna Hillbery (Costume Design), Sarah Elliott (Lighting Design), Andrew Stroud (Sound Design), Anna Cable (Props Design), and Rachel Scherer (Stage Manager).
Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.
Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. July 19 and 20. Tickets are $10 and can purchased by calling the Riverside Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
