REVIEW: CCPAC’s “MATILDA JR.”- AN ENTHUSASTIC EFFORT FROM YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

May 8

Curtain Call Performing Arts Company have done it again with the Intermediate Musical Theatre program’s cast of Matilda the Musical Jr. delivering an energetic, funny, and entertaining show.

If you’ve never read the novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda delves into the world of a brilliant, book-loving girl with awful parents and an exceptionally cruel Headmistress that hates children (especially clever ones). Matilda discovers she has unique and resourceful powers and finds her place in the world alongside her teacher and confidante Miss Honey.

It’s a cautionary tale about the resiliency of children and the damage that can be done when adults forget the importance of their role in nurturing young people. This major plot point may sound a little adult but the story is told in such a way that children can understand and likely relate. The film version, starring Mara Wilson and directed by Danny DeVito in 1996 is a beloved classic and the full staged musical production with genius song writing compositions by Tim Minchin is a Tony-award winning juggernaut with performances still going strong since its debut in 2013.

The purpose of these abridged or junior productions is to get productions to a length that is appealing for young audiences and performers. These productions are a great introduction to a musical’s form and allows younger audiences/performers to witness the creativity inherent in live theatre. Regrettably, this also means some numbers and scenes from the full production are trimmed or removed entirely but the condensed version of this production does a great job keeping most of the important narrative and memorable musical moments, allowing audiences to focus on the young talents and their enthusiastic efforts on stage.

First and foremost, Elizabeth George as Matilda is brilliant casting. She has a beautiful voice and a natural confidence on stage, highlighted in numbers such as the rebelliously cheeky Naughty and the touching ballad Quiet. What is important here is that George allows her fellow cast members to shine as brightly as she does which is an important skill to develop as a young theatre professional.

An unexpected highlight was Olivia Heywood as Mr. Wormwood. Heywood oozes with comedic crookery throughout and all their scenes with George and the Wormwood family (equally funny Sloane Richmond and Lucas Pearson) are terrific. It is not always easy being part of a musical when you don’t get a chance to sing (one of the unfortunate cuts from the full production), but Heywood’s efforts being an antagonistic character are very impressive and showcases the importance of these roles on stage.

*Sloane Richmond and Olivia Heywood as The Wormwoods*

The entire cast are high energy in every song they sing and move they make. They tackle fairly intricate choreography from Kat Baranowski in numbers like School Song and many of their harmonies in songs like the wistful When I Grow Up and triumphant anthem of Revolting Children are wonderful to hear. A technical note would be that the sound levels are far too loud making lyrics and even scenes difficult to understand, especially with frequent shouting moments. Some extra time spent learning these techniques for the stage are an important part of live theatre and I am certain these skillsets will build with experience and allow more natural ways of projecting on stage.

*The delightful ensemble of schoolmates in Matilda Jr.*

Between the keen direction from Danielle Viola and Kat Baranowski, impressive behind the scenes artistry and stage effects from Zachary Viola, strong ensemble work and inventive choreography, Matilda Jr. proves to be another example of Curtain Call Performing Arts Company’s ongoing performance caliber and highlights what happens when creative, fearless leadership meets youthful enthusiasm. If you were hoping for tickets, the entire run is sold out so be sure to purchase tickets in advance for Curtain Call’s production of Footloose coming in July.