The Saint Mary’s College Dance, Music and Theatre Department delivered a dazzling and dramatic performance of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda.” Directed by the heavily admired and newly retired Mark Abram-Copenhaver, the show was held in O’Laughlin Auditorium from April 24 to April 26. The popular story entails the intelligent and mischievous Matilda Wormwood getting into trouble at home and school. The young girl faces adversity from her parents, who denounce her avid reading and bold opinions. Once arriving at school, she also encounters the wrath of her headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who punishes the “maggot” children in harsh and unusual conditions. With the help of her teacher, Miss Honey, and the magical powers she develops, Matilda ends up with the home and school environment she deserves. The combination of elaborate production, tremendous actors and whimsical wonder of the show made a lasting impression on the audience.
Compared to other productions I have seen at Saint Mary’s, this has been the most extravagant and alluring one I have seen. The set design and props were extremely impressive. Painted mosaic rectangles of math equations, odes to other Roald Dahl pieces and alphabet letters surrounded the stage. Accompanying screens were also incorporated into the mosaics and projected onto the back of the stage which helped the audience immerse themselves in the story. The pit orchestra embellished the show and made the storytelling come alive. The students had face cutouts to replicate small children for dance numbers, and a zipline and a doll were used to comedically demonstrate Miss Trunchbull throwing a student by her hair. Chalk even mysteriously danced across the chalkboard to reveal Matilda’s magical powers to move objects.
However, the actors are what made the impressive show fully bloom. The Saint Mary’s students and community actors carried vocally strong performances that left the crowd in awe. Rose Bednar, who played Matilda, and Sheila-Marie Manyara, who played Miss Honey, presented the traits and characteristics of their roles with their striking singing. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, played by Oliver Dvorak and Katie O’Connell, provided amusing dynamics that caused the audience to pop up from their seats once they entered the stage. O’Connell, Adam Albritton and the accompanying dance ensemble had flashy costumes and dazzling dances that added intricacy and entertainment to the show. Addie Biegel, who played Miss Trunchbull, captivated and brought true fright to the stage with her intimidation and makeup. The school student ensemble additionally nailed the vibrant “Revolting Children” number, which was my favorite part of the performance.
For a story and show that is catered towards a younger audience, and had many children in the theater, the nearly 3-hour show is quite long. Miss Trunchbull’s punishments, including trapping children in a closet, forcing a student to eat an entire chocolate cake and throwing a child, can also be quite disturbing for younger and more sensitive viewers. However, the cast did a wonderful job of making these peculiar plotlines so immersive that these scenes could have this type of effect. Nonetheless, the visuals and eccentricities made for an unforgettable production that left the audience stunned. Matilda left a lasting and admirable impression on the arts at Saint Mary’s, and was an excellent way for Abram-Copenhaver to end his impactful 27-year career at the college. This was an outlandish yet awe-inspiring musical that is sure to become a fan-favorite production.
