‘Pay-what-you-can’ preview show Friday; Saturday evening, Sunday matinee shows through March 17
By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news
A live pit orchestra is returning to the spring musical after being on hiatus since the pandemic.
Ashland High School Theater is preparing for its opening weekend of its spring musical, Roald Dahl’s “Matilda,” which opens officially on Saturday evening. A “pay-what-you-will” showing is available for the community at 7 p.m. Friday; the show officially opens at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The play will feature songs composed by Tim Minchin, such as “Loud,” “Telly,” “When I Grow Up,” “Smell of Rebellion” and “Revolting Children.”
Those who grew up watching the 1996 movie “Matilda,” directed Danny DeVito, starring Mara Wilson, DeVito, and Rhea Perlman, will likely appreciate the story, according to theater teacher Shaun Hennessy, but so will those who have watched the 2022 Netflix version, “Matilda: The Musical,” or read the book by Roald Dahl.
But anyone who just likes to have a little bit of fun might enjoy it, too.
A young girl with telekinetic powers faces a formidable villain with newfound friends, all before she graduates first grade. Throw in silly, but terrible parents, a newt — OK, there’s not a real one in this play — and some chocolate frosting; what’s not to like?
“(Matilda)’s extremely intelligent, she reads well beyond her years,” said Hennessy. “She does complex math in the play. She developed telekinetic powers under extreme duress that help her to overcome these extremely challenging circumstances.
“(Matilda) kind of realizes the story of her teacher’s life (Jennifer Honey) is a beautiful story, but also very tragic.”
Miss Honey is played by senior Sortia Sherrow.
Hennessy said the cast of about 20 students is excited about the show.
“The kids are having a whole lot of fun with it,” Hennessy told Ashland.news on Tuesday at the theater. “It strikes people as a children’s play at first, but I do have a lot of freshmen who play those young parts well. There’s also some really interesting characters.”
The deets
What: “Matilda” By Roald Dahl
Where: Mountain Avenue Theatre at Ashland High School, 201 S. Mountain Ave.
When: Matinees start at 2 p.m. March 10, 16 and 17, which includes one Saturday afternoon show. Evening shows start at 7 p.m. March 9, 14, 15 and 16.
How much: Students, $10. Adults, $15 online, $20 in person. Tickets will be for sale at the door (cash only).
How long: The show runs two and a half hours, including intermission.
Tickets can also be purchased online at Ashland High School’s Online Box Office at ashlandhs.booktix.
The main character, Matilda, who is a first grader, is played by freshman Lily Glosser.
“(Glosser) looks young … but she also had a really nice vocal tone and an earnestness about her,” Hennessy said.
Matilda, who is positively an intellectual prodigy, has what Hennessy calls, “fantastically terrible parents” in Harry and Zinnia Wormwood.
Harry Wormwood is played by senior Liam Hokama (son of Oregon Shakespeare Festival Interim Executive Director Tyler Hokama) and Zinnia Wormwood is played by senior Alison Avery.
“They’re very outrageous characters,” he said of the Wormwoods. “Liam has done very well in this role; it’s a hammy type of role.
“This mom (Zinnia Wormwood, played by Avery) is into ballroom dancing – competitive ballroom dancing.”
Matilda’s classmate Bruce Bogtrotter, who some might recall enjoys more chocolate cake than he bargains for, is played by freshman Ethan Stachel.
The cake will not be real, Hennessy said — but added there will be frosting.
Matilda’s friend Lavender is played by freshman Zinnia Merwin.
“(Agatha) Trunchbull is like this imposing figure,” Hennessy continued, referencing the grueling headmistress of the school where Matilda attends.
Ms. Trunchbull is played by senior Secoya Joaquin.
The role is generally played by a male lead, Hennessy said, due to the nature of the character.
Those familiar with the story will recall “The Chokie,” and there could be multiple numbers of them. Come see to find out for sure, as well as to see a live pit orchestra.
“The music is really great,” Hennessy added.
A live pit orchestra is returning to the theater after being on hiatus since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
“I think our pit orchestra’s having a good time with it, they’ve put in a lot of work, that’s for sure,” he said.
Hennessy said the play incorporates “shadow work” using a projector to create a new way to experience certain scenes.
“I’d love to do more with kids and tech,” he said. “We had a really productive work party beginning of February.
“It’s a musical set – It’s got a lot of moving pieces.”
Reach Ashland.news staff reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].
March 7: Preview night changed from Thursday, March 7, to Friday, March 8.
