ADRIAN — A precocious young girl who discovers she has unusual powers is at the center of “Matilda,” the musical based on a children’s book by Roald Dahl that opens Aug. 6 at the Croswell Opera House.
The exuberant musical follows the title character as she triumphs over indifferent parents and a cruel headmistress — and learns that everyone has the power to change their story. She may be treated poorly by her parents but she finds support and encouragement in her teacher, Miss Honey. And while the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and loves punishment for those that don’t follow her rules, Matilda has the courage and cleverness to be the saving grace that the students need.
Anyone who’s seen the 2022 Netflix film will find that the stage show is full of familiar tunes, because this musical is the work that inspired it. The songs include the mischevious “Naughty,” the high-energy “Revolting Children,” and the hauntingly plaintive “When I Grow Up.”
The director of “Matilda” is Brian Hissong and the assistant director is Erin Pifer. Choreography is by Jodi Hissong and the music director is Josh Glover.
The role of Matilda is played by Alayna Brazzil of Holland, Ohio. The headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is played by Jeffrey King of Temperance. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, are played by Ashley Fox of Ypsilanti and Emma Skaggs of Perrysburg, Ohio. The role of Miss Honey is played by Becca Nowak of Britton. Eli Fox of Ypsilanti plays the role of Michael and Leigh Jewett of Temperance plays the role of Mrs. Phelps.
Among the students of Crunchem Hall, Landon Miller of Adrian plays the role of Bruce and Genesis Mutatu of Adrian plays the role of Lavender. The role of Amanda is played by Norah Stukey of Saline and the role of Nigel is played by Jesse Gutierrez of Adrian. Jake Aviles of Ypsilanti plays the role of Eric; Natalie Villagomez of Swanton, Ohio, plays the role of Alice; Marlo Hissong of Severna Park, Maryland, plays the role of Hortensia; and Zarek Devlin of Adrian plays the role of Tommy.
The Acrobat is played by Katie Giller of Oregon, Ohio; the Escape Artist by LaMar Ashford of Ypsilanti; the Children’s Entertainer by Mitchell LaRoy of Blissfield; and Rudolpho by Nathan Glover of Toledo.
Rounding out the cast are Makenzie Gonzalez, Shannah Mutatu, Libby Pifer, Astrid Thomas, Luca Walter, Trae Wesson, Briella York, and Elijah York of Adrian; Delayna Garcia of Cement City; Ethan Anderson of Manchester; Rinnah King of Temperance; Miriam Roth of Ypsilanti; Adalyn Brazzil of Holland, Ohio; Derrick McCullough of Perrysburg, Ohio; Jocelyn Villagomez of Swanton, Ohio; and Talitha Thomas of Sylvania, Ohio.
“Matilda” opens on Thursday, Aug 6. The first weekend will have performances on Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with no Friday performance because of the Croswell’s 160th-anniversary reunion on Aug. 7.
The second weekend will have performances on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $46 for adults and $16 to $26 for students, and may be ordered online at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469.
The Croswell reminds patrons that it will never sell tickets for more than the advertised price, so any website offering tickets for a higher price is a scam.
Show dates and times
- Thursday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 8 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 16 at 2:30 p.m.