The Catherine M. Bellamy Theater is about to be filled with “Revolting Children,” as the ARTx3 Campus’ production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is set to open this week.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 19-20 and July 26-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21 and July 28, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. Attendees of the July 19 performance are invited to stay after the show for an opening-night reception.
The production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.
“Matilda is a show about a little girl who wants to change her life for the better,” said the show’s director, Bethany Gere. “She doesn’t let the bullies of her life define her story,” she said.
At home, Matilda must contend with her neglectful and self-absorbed parents (portrayed by K.C. Rowland and Susan Jones Harris, both of Pine Bluff) and dim brother Michael (Isaiah Austin of Pine Bluff), who her parents favor over her.
Things are no better at school, where Matilda must also face the cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (Keiren Minter of Pine Bluff).
Matilda finds solace in books and her vivid imagination. She also finds refuge with her teacher Miss Honey (Emily Burris of Little Rock) who, though well-intentioned, is shy and fragile.
Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers she has remarkable telekinetic powers.
Sixth-grader Sawyer Terry of White Hall makes her theatrical debut as Matilda. Almost 50 young people auditioned for the title role.
“I’m really excited to be playing this role, because I feel like I’m kind of similar to Matilda in real life,” Terry said. “I love to read books.”
The rest of the cast includes Avery M. Martin (Amanda), Parker Richards (Tommy), Raymond Wallace (Ensemble), Rosalie Kline (Alice) and Teanna Williams (Ensemble), all of Pine Bluff; Allison Carraway (Eric), Brandt Lunsford (Bruce), Heather Lunsford (Ensemble), Langston Cosner (Hortensia) and Rory Earnest-Lake (Nigel), all of White Hall; Addie Ashcraft (Lavender) of Bryant; Mary Conley (Ensemble) of Redfield; Addison Dean (Ensemble) of Star City; and Lily Jennings (Ensemble) of Woodlawn.
Musical direction is by Melody Gere of White Hall, choreography is by Grace McKissic of Pine Bluff, and stage management is by Kayla Earnest of White Hall.
In connection with the Matilda show, the ARTx3 Campus held a used children’s book drive and collected approximately 1,000 books. Visitors and Matilda theatergoers are encouraged to take home books through the end of the show’s run or until the books are gone.
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel Matilda, the musical is written by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. It premiered in the West End of London in 2011, and on Broadway in 2013. A film version of the musical was released on Netflix in 2022. The book was adapted into the 1996 movie of the same name, starring Mara Wilson and directed by Danny DeVito.
Tickets are $20 for members and ages 65 and older, and $25 for nonmembers. They may be purchased here, by calling 870-536-3375, or in person.
This show is PG-rated, director Bethany Gere said, noting that it has some “British humor” and scary elements.
“Audiences can look forward to hijinks,” Gere said. “Magic. Laughs. A little bit of tears. Probably some surprises. And a whole lot of really, really talented people.”
She continued, “This is an amazing show full of characters with big personalities. whether you’re the mean Trunchbull, the absent parents, or the fun-loving librarian, there is something that everyone can connect with.”
For more information, contact Gere at bgere@artx3.org or call 870-536-3375.
