Roald Dahl

‘Matilda’ musical Constellation’s holiday offering

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By John Lyle Belden

In this season where all children are striving to make the Nice List, Constellation Stage and Screen of Bloomington presents one gifted little girl who is “a little bit naughty.”

In “Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical,” with songs by the equally devious Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly, while every English child is told by Mum and Dad they are a miracle, Matilda Wormwood’s mother says her birth was the worst day of her life and father dismisses her as an awful excuse for a boy – they were already content with son Michael, who is blissfully immune to books and stories, or thinking.

Things only get worse from there, as Matilda starts school under sadistic headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Fortunately, she finds friends among schoolmates and allies including librarian Mrs. Phelps, who adores the girl’s stories, and teacher Miss Honey, who strives to rise above her deep insecurities to help her.

Realizing that the story she’s in is quite tragic, Matilda strives to change it, with the help of some hilariously juvenile pranks and her rather exceptional mind. For the many children of all ages in the sold-out audience, the musical is wildly entertaining and inspiring, peppered with catchy tunes including “Naughty,” “Telly,” “Revolting Children,” and “When I Grow Up.”

Indy audiences may recognize Jaddy Ciucci as self-centered ballroom champion Mrs. Wormwood. Others in the adult cast include Jake Stibbe as Mr. Wormwood, an ethics-challenged used car dealer; Jaden Holtschlag as dance partner Rudolpho; Amy Jo Jackson as Miss Trunchbull, a former Olympic hammer thrower more interested in punishment than instruction; Catherine O’Connor as Mrs. Phelps; and Emily Davis, winning our hearts (and Matilda’s) as Miss Honey.

The story Matilda spins for the librarian is portrayed in shadow puppets and appearances by Yul Carrion as the Escapologist and Laura Rong as the Acrobat.

Among the youth actors there are two casts split among the various performances through Dec. 31. We saw Team Rebellion with Noey Kroethe as Matilda, Lila Parker as Michael, Piper Reynolds as brave Bruce, Lyra Dimick as “best friend” Lavender, Alma Sela as Alice, Chloe Duggan as Amanda, Mary Clarie Shaw as Hortensia, Theresa Baird as Tommy, Lydia Levesque as Eric, and Stella Jay Durfee as Nigel, who gets a crash course on the meaning of “narcolepsy.”

Half the performances feature Team Revolting: Miriam Spillman (Matilda), Cooper Tucker (Michael), Reid Walz (Bruce), Sophia Linville (Lavender), Madeleine Cartledge (Alice), Hailey Houghton (Amanda), Lily Ensmenger (Hortensia), Jasmine Nolting (Tommy), Lucy Pell (Eric), and Viv Taylor (Nigel).

Kate Galvin directs, with musical director Brandon Magid, choreographer Lauren Haughton Gillis, and stage manager Lori Garraghty. No newts were harmed in the making of this show.

Tickets have been selling fast for “Matilda: The Musical,” performed in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood, Bloomington. Get info and tickets at seeconstellation.org.  

CAT: Fantastic fun with legendary car

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By John Lyle Belden

Carmel Apprentice Theatre is a resident company at, naturally, The Cat venue in downtown Carmel. Everyone who shows up for rehearsal gets a part, as well as mentored by the more experienced performers. This makes for a relaxed easy-going atmosphere on and behind the stage that translates easily to the audience. In this mode, it’s good to take on a production that welcomes aspects of the silly and unreal.

CAT now presents the stage version of the musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” based on the book and movie by James Bond creator Ian Fleming. It originated in stories the author told his children, into which he couldn’t help but add some kid-friendly international intrigue. This translated well into the 1968 film musical starring Dick Van Dyke. Music and lyrics are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the story adapted by Jeremy Sams from the script by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes.

To keep things going smoothly, stage veterans take key roles including Evan Wang as inventor Caractacus Potts, Brook-Glen Gober as sweets heiress Truly Scrumptious, Duane Leatherman as Grandpa Potts, Allison Hermann as the rebellious Vulgarian Toymaker, and Hannah Janowicz as the sinister Childcatcher. Other roles have two or even three actors in rotation, while others are in the chorus or dancers. Notable performances include Gober’s precision recreation of the music box scene, and the antics of David Ralstin and Elaine Endris as bumbling Vulgar spies Goran and Boris. Hopefully you will be at a performance with Leroy Delph, looking like a cartoonish king from a playing card, as the immature Vulgarian ruler Baron Bomburst.

And yes, there is the car! Locally fabricated by Scott Osborn of Brown Hound Studios, “Chitty” is an excellent recreation of the movie’s automobile. Does it really float and fly? You’ll have to see for yourself, but don’t forget to say “Please!” when you ask.   

Will Wood directs, with Wang as music director, Ashley Thibodeau the choreographer, and Amanda Lund stage manager.

Featuring classic songs including “Toot Sweets,” “Hushabye Mountain,” “Me Ol’ Bamboo,” and, of course, the title tune, this production is as delightful as a seaside picnic by your favorite roadster. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 19 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way (a couple of blocks south of Main St. in the Arts & Design District), Carmel. Get info and tickets at thecat.biz.

Civic’s ‘Matilda’ a fun and inspiring adventure

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By John Lyle Belden

“Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical” not only features Dahl’s brilliant dark satire but also the sharp wit of songs by Tim Minchin, with book by Dennis Kelly. Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre presents this “miracle” on its stage at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel through May 14, directed by Suzanne Fleenor.

In a generation of British children convinced they are wonderful and special, there is Matilda Wormwood (Alexis Vahrenkamp), whose parents take a different approach.  Her mother (Mikayla Koharchik) resents that the birth kept her from a ballroom & salsa dance contest; her father (John Walls) can’t get over the fact that she is not a boy, like her dull-witted brother, Michael (Matthew Wessler); and they both can’t stand she insists on always reading books full of stories. Why can’t she just watch telly like a normal kid? 

Mr. Wormwood is working on the deal of a lifetime, not letting pesky stuff like ethics get in the way. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wormwood works on her dance steps with slinky partner Rudolpho (Michael Humphrey). To their delight, Matilda, who has been “a little bit naughty,” will go away to school, where she’ll be sorted out by sadistically cruel Headmistress Miss Trunchbull (Evan Wallace).

Fortunately, our heroine has some allies. She befriends local librarian Mrs. Phelps (Kendra Randle) and thrills her with stories she spins about an Escapologist (Matthew Sumpter) and an Acrobat (Isa Armstrong). Her sweet but mousey teacher Miss Honey (Julia Bonnett) sees the girl as gifted and pledges to help her reach her potential. On the schoolyard, precocious Lavender (Nye Beck) declares that she and Matilda are Best Friends.

While the title character is the show’s focus, its events also involve her classmates. The plight of brave Bruce (Cole Weesner), betrayed by his sweet tooth, helps bring the children to the realization that “the Trunchbull” must be defeated. But it’s Matilda’s most special “gifts” that will turn the tide.

This fun musical is a great showcase of young talent, and an entertaining inspiration for the kids of all ages watching. The adults aren’t bad either – actually the ones who act badly, Koharchik, Walls, and especially Wallace, are the best.

So, put aside the Telly and enjoy the antics of some truly “revolting” children. For information and tickets see civictheatre.org or thecenterpresents.org.

Musical of Dahl novel ‘Matilda’ gets brief Indy premiere

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By John Lyle Belden and Wendy Carson

If you want to see the hit musical “Matilda” before the Civic Theatre stages it next year, you have just three chances this weekend.

McDuffee Music Studio bursts onto the theatrical scene with its ambitious all-youth production. Note this London and Broadway hit is by two of the most devious minds to write material safe for children: the late author Roald Dahl and comic songwriter Tim Minchin. While the story is dark at times, the sheer absurdity of all the characters and situations keeps it light.

In this musical, with book by Dennis Kelly, the Wormwoods – a Latin dance-obsessed wife and proudly unethical used-car dealer husband – prefer their children to be like their son, Michael, comically ignorant and male. Surprise-baby Matilda is definitely neither. She insists on reading books, visiting the library and telling stories. And when she’s had enough mistreatment, she tends to be “a little bit naughty.” Perhaps some abuse at the local school, led by wicked Mrs. Trunchbull, will cure her of that.

Having an all-student cast is easy for this show, as most of the roles are children, but some local teens ably step up to fill the “adult” shoes.

William Baartz as the viciously imposing Trunchbull manages to fully embrace the extreme silliness of the role. The teen-boy musculature stuffed into an Olympic women’s hammer-thrower form only adds to the look – equal parts threatening and cartoonish.

On the other end of the scale, Kamdyn Knotts is so very charming as teacher Miss Honey, a mousey woman struggling to find her voice to help Matilda. Her willingness to show weakness and work to overcome it ironically makes her the most (if not only) mature character in the show. Krissy Brzycki as librarian Mrs. Phelps is another ray of sunshine in Matilda’s life, practically starving for the girl’s story that may or may not be fiction.

Josh Hoover impressively shows range in dual roles as a vapid dance partner and an “escapologist” in love.

Ayden Cress and Kennedi Bruner are both a hoot as Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, despite their neglectful and somewhat abusive nature. Wesley Olin as Michael shows that rare natural talent at playing an imbecile so entertainingly he can’t help but steal the scene, even just shouting one word.

As for Kate Honaker as Matilda, to us she looks and sounds straight off the Cast Album. Honaker holds focus and makes us believe in this girl with so many brains (yet they “just fit”) and a little bit “extra” that her stressful journey brings out.

The other children are more than just chorus to Matilda’s story, as they learn to deal with a cruel yet silly world. Colton Woods as Bruce Bogtrotter gets to revel in being an unlikely hero. Brilynn Knauss as Nicole gets a quick lesson on improvising one’s way out of trouble. And Izzy Napier’s hyper Lavender declares herself Matilda’s “best friend,” then takes on one of the more notorious pranks on the Headmistress.

We would like to assure you that no newts were harmed in the making of this show, but you can buy (a rubber) one at the concession stand, as well as chocolate cake.

While the production does have its technical flaws, it is energetic and earnest. Remember that one of the main tenets of the story (like most of Dahl’s work) is that not all stories have a happy ending. But it does manage to keep a positive outlook even at the grimmest point.

If you have any children in your care this weekend, especially those of grade-school age, they will be practically falling out of their seat with laughter and delight at the show. Performances of “Matilda: The Musical” are 2 and 7 p.m. Today, 2 p.m. Sunday (May 25-26) at Lutheran High School, 5555 S. Arlington, Indianapolis. Tickets are $10, $12 for premium seats. Visit www.mcduffeemusic.com.

Civic kids are ‘Peach’y

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By John Lyle Belden

The weird world of Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach” comes to life at the Tarkington theater for a Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre Jr. Civic production – by kids, for kids – through Wednesday.

In this musical version of the darkly whimsical children’s novel (by Benji Pasek, Justin Paul and Timothy Allen McDonald, authorized by Dahl’s widow), young James, orphaned in a freak incident, finds himself “property” of a pair of unscrupulous aunts. But a mysterious wizard, Ladahlord, appears, offering him relief in a magic potion that James accidentally spills near a doomed peach tree. The next day, an enormous peach grows on the tree, and James comes to find it grew and transformed the insect-like creatures inside. Just as the boy is getting to know these new friends, the peach’s huge stem snaps, and things really get rolling…

As a stage musical, this isn’t the greatest thing you’ll see, but it is a fun and entertaining introduction to the magic of the stage both for the young cast and the children who come to see (and grown-ups can appreciate it, too). The cast acquit themselves very well – including Ben Boyce as James, Maddux Morrison as Grasshopper, Colin McCabe as Centipede, Brayden Porterfield as Earthworm, Ava Roan as Spider and May Kate Tanselle as Ladybug. Jilayne Kistner as Ladahlord has a stage presence and vocal talent that had me wondering if she is truly as young as she looks – watch for her in the future.

Director Brent E. Marty and fellow (alleged) adult Holly Stults gleefully play awful Aunts Spiker and Sponge, frequently threatening to steal the show from their young costars.

The remaining performances are matinees, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tarkington in the Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For a nice diversion for kids home from school, get info and tickets at civictheatre.org or thecentrepresents.org.