* Disclaimer: On March 28th I suffered a rupture in my right bicep muscle, which has left me without the use of my right arm. I will endeavor to continue seeing and reviewing shows however the reality is that the reviews will need to be significantly shorter. For now I will attempt to provide you, faithful readers, with a few sentences that will make clear whether a show is worth your time and money. My apologies to all of the artists in front of the curtain as well as behind whose work I may not be able to comment on. Hopefully this will be a short-term accommodation, I will do everything in my power to get back to writing full reviews as soon as is humanly possible.

The latest production from Stages Theatre Company is Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR., the JR. indicates this is an abridged version of the full musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. I saw Matilda at the Orpheum Theater when it toured a few years back and fell in love with it. Stages production has so much to love about it and only one real criticism, which isn’t even fair, and that is that I miss all the stuff that had to be left out. The purpose of these abridged productions, also very popular with the Disney shows, is to get productions to a length that is more appropriate for young audiences and  performers. Recommended for ages 5+ they are a great way to introduce school-age children to the live musical form, it gets them the story the experience of seeing actors sing and dance and opens their imaginations to the creativity inherent in live theater. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. Is the story of a young girl of incredible intelligence completely unsupported by her parents who begins school that is run by an evil headmistress that hates children. It’s a cautionary tale about the resiliency of children and the damage that can be done when adults forget the importance of their role in nurturing young people. Which may sound a little adult but the story is told in such a way that children can understand and relate. The use of humor in the songs and the book are very entertaining and will keep the attention of children.

I make it a rule in general not to comment on performances of school-age children unless they are in a professional touring company. It feels like an unnecessary rule when it comes to this production as the entire cast, made up largely of children, are all fantastic. There are several of the kids whose voices and stage presents indicate a bright career should they choose to follow that path later in life. The two actors I do feel like I can single out are Aniya Hollie and DeZhanè Antionette. Hollie who plays Miss Honey the teacher with a heart of gold and a bottomed out self-esteem is a veteran of eight Stages Theatre Company shows. She has matured into a very good actor making palpable her character’s desire to protect the children while dealing with the crippling intimidation of the headmistress Agatha Trunchbull. Antionette plays Trunchbull and perfectly embodies the villainous head of the school who clings to her glory days when she threw the hammer for her country in the Olympic Games. Antionette relishes the juicy role digging into the tyranny while also seething with frustration when her injustices are foiled by the clever children.

 Co-directors Sandy Boren-Barrett and JC Lippold, who’s also the Music Director, keep the show moving along at a Brisk pace, critical to holding younger audiences attention. Choreographer Krysti Wiita does an impressive job with the young cast and I felt came up with some good alternatives to what the touring company had created, particularly in the song “When I Grow Up“. High marks as well go to the design team which include Set Designer Joe Stanley, Costume and Makeup Designer Meghan Kent, Props Designer Philip Hoks, Lighting Designer Tony Stoeri, and Sound Designer Gretchen Katt. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. runs through May 19th at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.stagestheatre.org/matilda/

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