Gunn Theatre to Present “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical”

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Commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the musical was inspired by the book by Dahl, who is also the author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The BFG,” and “James and the Giant Peach.” “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,” according to Music Theatre International (MTI), which called it “the story of an extraordinary girl who dares to stake a stand and change her own destiny.”

In a 2013 review, Ben Brantley of The New York Times called “Matilda” “the most satisfying and subversive musical ever to come out of Britain.” The musical, Brantley noted at the time, “is about words and language, books and stories, and their incalculable worth as weapons of defense, attack and survival. It’s about turning the alphabet into magic, and using it to rule the world.”

“Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers,” MTI said in its synopsis. “She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and 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 to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!” 

The cast of Gunn Theatre’s production of “Matilda” includes: Siena Castonguay ’27 (Matilda Wormwood), Gavin Forbes ’28 (Miss Trunchbull), Poppy Mand ’27 (Miss Honey), Portia Ntem-Mensah ’28 (Mrs. Phelps), Oliver Severino ’27 (Mr. Wormwood), Vivian Burnham ’29 (Mrs. Wormwood), Alex Klancnik ’29 (Michael Wormwood), Talulah Ryan ’27 (Doctor/Rudolpho/Sergei), Ella Hutchison ‘29 (Lavender), Amelia Reighard ’29 (Bruce), Cam Naik ’28 (Nigel), Julie Dowden ’27 (Amanda), Sammi Groski ’29 (Erica), Aniyah Tenpow-Burris ’28 (Tommy), Jae’Lin Williams Richards ’28 (Hortensia), Alyssa Tenpow-Burris ’28 (Alice), Jaeyi Lee ’27 (Tracy), Piper Gemelli ’29 (Linda/BigKid), Mike Li ’29 (Big Kid/Nurse), Dean Sevin ’28 (Escapologist/Big Kid), and Charlotte Friedman ’27 (Acrobat/Big Kid).

The design team includes: Madeline Milgram ’29 (Stage Manager), Mike Li ’29 (Lighting Designer), Polly Ross ’26 and Eva Kwon ’27 (Costume Designers), Katherine Aguirre-Felipe ’26 (Sound Designer and Prop Design), SeBella DuBach-Corrigan ’27 (Prop Design), Jae’Lin Williams Richards ’28 (Choreography), and Zachary McLean ’28 (Photography and Video Documentation).

“Matilda” is directed by Kent Burnham P’29, Director of Theatre Arts, with Ashley Taylor, Assistant Director and Choreographer, Sarah Fay, Music Director, Al Chiappetta, Technical Director, Terry Hawley P’08, Costume Supervisor, and Greg Fisher, Sound Supervisor. This production will feature a pit band with Fay on keyboards, Connor Oyster, bass, Mike Marble, drums/percussion, Kate Testani and Maya Kallins, reeds, and Adam Eytan, guitar. 

“Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (mtishows.com). To learn more about Gunn Theatre, visit our web page.

Poster design: Ali Heck Southworth