Yul Carrion

‘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.  

Constellation: Ambitious bird has lesson for young audiences

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By Wendy Carson 

Constellation Stage and Screen in Bloomington brings to life one of Mo Willems popular children’s books in a delightful show for old and young alike, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!”

Pigeon (Yul Carrion) is frustrated because he never gets to do what he wants to do. Everywhere he goes, he is met with the same refrain: “Fly off, bird!” As he sulks in the park, a new sign is suddenly placed beside him announcing that this will be a new Bus Stop. When the bus pulls up and he meets the Bus Driver (Sarah Cassidy), complete with her Official Bus Driver’s Hat, he realizes that he wants to drive the bus, too. However, nobody takes him seriously and he goes away dejected.

Suddenly, there is panic as the bus breaks down, potentially making all passengers late to their destinations. In the disarray, Pigeon grabs the Official Bus Driver’s Hat, but realizes his feet are too short to reach the pedals. He feels broken due to this, as well as the fact that he never learned to fly. With encouragement from his new human friends, and a lesson from the Driver, he flaps off throughout the audience, saving the day by “doing his thing.” All turns out well and Pigeon is satisfied – until a new sign for an Airport appears, and he has a new quest.

While the show is targeted primarily to the 8 and under demographic, there is plenty here for the adults who accompany them to enjoy. Hand-puppetry includes some traditional style (no actor visible), while most of it is the more modern style of a visible puppeteer (like “Lion King” or that “Q” show for grownups).

Carrion brings all of the energy and emotion you could desire to his turn as Pigeon and his puppetry skills are on point. However, the two standouts of the cast are the younger performers involved. Sophia Linville is superb in her numerous roles including the Bus Engine and the rogue Puppy. Still, it is Miriam Spillman’s Little Old Lady character that steals the show. Both of these ladies are bound to be standouts in future acting endeavors should they choose to pursue them.

The cast includes Tucker Ransom as the Hot Dog Vendor and Busy Business Man, and Nikki Stawski as a City Worker and cool Teenager. They and Spillman also appear as Ducks.

One note, there was a promotion beforehand to purchase a Pigeon stuffie along with your tickets, but demand was higher than expected and they are all sold out. However, I have been advised that a similar deal may be offered during their Fall production of “Curious George” and they expect to have enough supplies to meet the demand.

Another note to parents: There is an ice-cream coupon for The Chocolate Moose with the program. (Just a thought.)

Performances run through May 14 at the Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., Bloomington. Get info and tickets at seeconstellation.org.