A beloved children's story about a brilliant little girl who is mistreated and learns to overcome obstacles is coming to a Chilliwack stage.
The Chilliwack Players Guild presents Matilda the Musical April 24 to May 4 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
It's based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl about a young girl who realizes she has telekinetic powers and uses them to her advantage against her verbally abusive parents and terrifying school headmistress.
"The book is so great. I read it a lot when I was a kid," said director Emily Hamel. "I remember the illustrations being something I loved so much, and I loved how Roald Dahl didn't talk down to you as a reader, as a little kid. That's something that made me love it so much."
British writer and producer Dennis Kelly wrote the adapted book for Matilda the Musical, which features music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The play is very similar to Dahl's book. There are still "plenty of shenanigans in the musical," but not quite as many as in the novel, she said.
Playing title character Matilda Wormwood is 10-year-old Piper Wilkinson.
When Piper, then nine years old, walked into auditions she was very professional, Hamel said. They asked her to sing Quiet, which is a very difficult piece as the orchestra doesn't give the singer much help. People need to know the timing and words well for it to work.
"She absolutely nailed it. Not only the (British) accent and the timing, but right from the get go when she sang that song, we were all on the verge of tears," Hamel said about Piper. "I think she has a real understanding of who the character is. She's so inquisitive and makes very strong choices."
Piper described why she loves her character.
"I like that she is funny, she's kind, even though her father's horrible."
Piper gets to act alongside her sister Sydney Wilkinson who plays Bruce. The two learn their lines and choreography together at home.
"She's working so hard. It's awesome to be on stage with her," Piper said.
Deanne Moore, who plays the nasty school headmistress Miss Trunchbull, is an "absolute powerhouse," Hamel added. The character is out of the ordinary for Moore.
"She's got a really nice mix of musical theatre styling, but also a little bit of classical opera," Hamel said. "She usually does the ingenue and the leading lady, so it's really great to see her grow and become this terrifying teacher."
Hamel knows the musical well as she was part of two productions of Matilda the Musical within the same year. She did the costumes with Chilliwack School of Performing Arts, and also led vocal direction at a high-school production of the musical in Langley.
One of her favourite parts is the song Revolting Children, which is the peak of the show. She said the piece has gusto and a rock-and-roll guitar feel.
Piper is especially fond of a song featuring her sister.
"I think my favourite part is Bruce eating the chocolate cake because the song (titled Bruce) is so fun, and the anticipation is really exciting. The choreography is awesome, the song lyrics are awesome and it's a really cool scene to watch with all the lighting."
The Chilliwack Players Guild production features 32 in the cast, 17 of which are kids.
Matilda's parents, Mr. and Mrs Wormwood are played by Katrina Molenaar and Andy Rolleman, while Sarah Stewart plays Miss Honey. Matilda's best friend Lavener is played by Dehva Mottaghian. The musical director is Trischa Buhler, and choreography is by Pauline Dynowski.
Although Matilda is a children's story, the musical is not just for kids. Hamel encourages people of all ages to see it.
"I think it'll make you feel young again. Anyone who's ever felt like they've been done wrong, Matilda has this amazing way of standing up and making you feel like everything's possible. I think that's kind of like a feeling that makes you feel young again."
The Chilliwack Players Guild presents Matilda the Musical April 24 to May 4 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. April 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2 and 3; and 2 p.m. on April 27 and May 4. Tickets $30/$35, with membership discounts available, and can be purchased at the at the Centre Box Office, online at chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).
