Review: "Matilda, Jr." by Amity Middle School Bethany Spartan Players

Bethany - The Amity Middle School Bethany Spartan Players are proudly presenting a high-energy production of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Jr.” The final performance is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Advanced tickets are available through amsb:ptboard.com or at the door, with general admission $15 and student $10.

The production was made possible by generous sponsorship by the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation and I was blessed to be seated near Judy Primavera and Fred Hulley, Jamie’s wonderful parents, at the Saturday performance.

“Matilda” features quirky music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly, based of course on the book by Dahl. Patrick Laffin, who I usually run into at Square Foot Theatre in Wallingford, directed the students with the talented musician and Amity MS teacher Dr. Keith Smolinkski as music director. Marissa Nall served as producer, with Robert Fragione as sound director and Talia Marinaccio as choreographer.

This cast of middle school students worked together very well to bring this charming story to life.

The music director “Dr. Smo” writes in his program note that Matilda is a book that he enjoyed as a child and as an adult. “Matilda, Jr.” has all the wonderful elements of the original story: the gentle teacher Ms. Honey, the infamous bully principal Agatha Trunchbull, the incompetent and obnoxious Wormwood family, and the unforgettable group of students, who alongside Matilda, are able to triumph and seize the day. Matilda dreams big and that is definitely something we should all do more often.” Dr. Smo calls this cast “an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Maeve Culbertson shines in the role of Matilda. She remembers a crushing number of lines and sings very well in the title role.

Luke Lamour is a delight as Bruce Bogtrotter. Colin Mann plays Eric, Thayer Johnson Russell portrays Tommy and Kane D’Amico stands out in the role of Nigel.

Grace Meacham plays the role of Amanda Thripp, Jane Nolan delightfully plays Matilda’s new best friend Lavender, and Junia Croasmun plays Alice. Verity Lyke plays Hortensia.

David Tobin tackles the role of the school headmistress Agatha Trunchbull and does magnificently with the acting and singing involved.

Grace Millard is beautiful as Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey and what a wonderful singing voice she has. Sophia Dalrymple is wonderful as the librarian Mrs. Phelps.

The awful Wormwood family members are played by Tommy Francese as Mr. Wormwood in a loud green suit to match his green hair, and Daniel Esposito as Matilda’s brother Michael. Victoria Pelton is perfectly cast in the role of Mrs. Wormwood; wearing a tight skirt and a fun wig, this young actress has great stage presence and an eye for the comedic elements in her character.

Adam Liu gets to play both the Russian Sergei and the live Escapologist in the story that Matilda acts out with dolls. I could not find the name of the graceful student who played the Acrobat, but I was impressed with her moves in Matilda’s story. Derek Melo is Rudolpho, Mrs. Wormwood’s dance partner.

Olly Brostrum appears as the mechanic, Finley Crout plays the cook, Taylor McNamara is credited as Big Kid 1, the dance captain Gabby Kline plays Big Kid 2, and Giana Kier is Big Kid 3.

A good-sized group of students in the ensemble cover the roles of the big kids and the mums and dads, while a slightly smaller group play the little kids. Shout out to the dedicated members of the crew that keep everything moving.

The art design team with lead artist Claire Hubbard decorated the stage with large tile letters that rotate and looked great and a group of parents decorated the school lobby to look like a beautiful library. There is also a small screen for some good graphics that move the story along.

There have been some cuts made to the full-length version of the musical, most obviously the omission of “Telly” at the top of the second act. “Matilda Jr.” is presented in the middle school gym with a stage with a fifteen minute intermission.

All photos by Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation's Judy Primavera