Matilda, the Musical
Fox Theatre
through April 23, 2017

Only a couple more days to catch up with Roald Dahl’s Matilda at the Fox.  She’s that incredibly bright young girl who winds up having some problems at her school, and other things to deal with as well.

Matilda is played by three different special young ladies on different nights, and they are all of the Annie quality.  The parents are Darcy Stewart and Matt Harrington.  The dad is a real piece of work.  But then, the school mistress, Ms. Trunchbull (Dan Chameroy) can make Miss Hannigan look like a saint, when she sends the kids to the Chokey.

The staging and the kids are what makes this one work.  The rear projections, fast moving sets, canned sound that’s always in perfect synch, and a large group of youngsters who can act, sing, dance, and handle gymnastics as well, is quite rare.  Kind of makes one think of why actors never want to share the stage with a child nor an animal.

The music is not a score you’ll recall and leave the theater humming.  And, this may not be for all youngsters, as this is not one of those “Once upon a time, there was a happy ending” kind of script.   Having said that, it may not ring the chimes for all of the AARP card holders, either.  It is not Annie, and certainly not akin to Cats or Les Miz.

But, it you like the story line, you’ll love the production.  So hop on the Marta and don’t miss out.