Culture in brief: ‘Matilda’ at Gas Lamp Players
The Gas Lamp Junior Players will give four performances of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical,” on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 and at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Ridgewood Avenue School Theater in Glen Ridge.
Ninety-seven children and one adult from several Essex County towns will take the stage in this Tony Award-winning show, with a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin. The musical has won 47 international awards and "continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world reveling in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life," Gas Lamp writes in a release.
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Co-director Erin Dilly, a Broadway veteran said in a release, “Since we began directing the junior company of Gas Lamp, we have been waiting for the rights of Matilda to be released. With its infectious score, complicated and lush story and tiny heroine, it was the perfect choice to showcase many talents, so when the rights became available, we jumped on them.
"And then a crazy notion started to grow: could we possibly do the entire Broadway show, rather than a truncated Jr. version? Of course, the answer was yes, and here we are! The kids have worked harder than ever; their dedication is why the show sings, a show about how one voice, the voice of a child standing up for what is right, can change the world.”
Co-director Heather Ballantyne said in a release that the show is a "world seen through the eyes of children.
"Roald Dahl reminds us that childhood can be a scary place, full of bullies, parents who do not understand us and schoolyards that feel like battle zones. But amidst that chaos, Matilda finds two adults, Miss Honey and Mrs. Phelps, who really see her. In this respect, the show is also an homage to those teachers who protect, defend and empower students to discover and trust their own unique magic.”
For tickets and information visit gas-lamp-players.ticketleap.com.