One of my favorite musicals in recent memory is Tim Minchin’s Matilda – The Musical. Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, Minchin, with the help of book writer Dennis Kelly, turns the story of a young girl who loves books (and her parents who don’t understand her) into a wonderfully subversive musical that makes us all wish we were young. Matilda – the Musical is now being performed at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The show will continue there through November 17th.

Matilda the Musical is now playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Michael A. Shepperd & Nicole Santiago in “Matilda” (Photo by Jason Nielde)

Audrey Cymone stars as “Matilda.” Her parents are played by Erica Hanrahan and Josh Adamson. “Miss Honey,” the teacher who supports Matilda in her desire to keep reading books, is played by Nicole Santiago. In the role of “Miss Trunchbull,” the nightmare teacher no one would ever want, is played by Michael A. Shepperd.

Michael Matthews, who directed the award-winning production of Cabaret at Celebration Theatre, directs. The choreography, which is said to be entirely new, is by Kate Dunn. The look of the show has also been re-imagined.

When the national tour of Matilda brought the show to the Ahmanson Theatre, I had the chance to talk to Minchin about the show. You can read my interview with him here.

I first saw this completely delightful musical in London and immediately fell in love with it. Though Dahl was an integral part of my childhood, Matilda was not one of the books I read.  This musical made me wish I had.

Whether you have read it or not, Matilda is truly a wonderful musical. And if “When I Grow Up” doesn’t move you to tears, nothing will.

For tickets go here.

Main photo: Audrey Cymone and the company of Matilda (Photo by Jason Niedle)/Courtesy of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment

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