By Jill Harry In a show about a backward world where parents hate books, gym is the most hated class at school and a librarian is the one entertained by a storyteller, it seems only natural that the youngest members of the cast would be the leaders. So is the story of the Barrow-Civic Theatre production of “Matilda the Musical.” “When you do a show with kids, you worry about how it is going to be because they are so young,” said stage veteran Brooke Lawrie, who plays Mrs. Wormwood. “These guys are making me up my game.” She was among the adult characters standing back and watching a full stage of youngsters practice a series of songs and complex choreography during a recent rehearsal. It was the first night most of the older actors had a chance to see their younger counterparts perform and it was nearly instant astonishment. The musical tells the tale of small, imaginative, and magical Matilda and her friends who push back against the mean adults who surround them. There are 27 parts in the cast, including ensemble members. About 50% of characters are under 16. Carrying such a big show meant the younger members started practicing earlier in the summer, and by mid-August, they were well on their way to knowing a half dozen songs with dances. “The kids are really starting to get into their characters,” director Jill Lander as she watched the kids diligently running through detailed choreography on stage. “I have my army,” she said, as she pointed to the children and note how seriously they were taking on their roles of leading the show. In fact, they were so focused during rehearsal that it took a second visit to find time to talk with them about their impressions of the show. Then it was hard to get in a word edgewise because of the friendly banter among the group and questions were rarely answered by just one person. | This is the fourth in a series of stories written by Jill Harry about the production of “Matilda the Musical” at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin. Read part one here Read part two here Read part three here Character appearances, story times scheduled for Saturday The Barrow-Civic Theatre and the Franklin Civic Operetta Association are partnering with two Venango County libraries to offer a special sneak peek at “Matilda The Musical.” Several of the show’s lead characters will hold free Matilda and Friends story times on Saturday, September 17. They will appear in full costume at 10 a.m. at the Oil City Library and 1 p.m. at the Franklin Public Library. Interested attendees should call the libraries to register at 814-678-3072 for Oil City and 814-432-5062 for Franklin. Along with sharing excerpts from the book “Matilda,” which inspired the musical, the cast members will also answer questions, pose for pictures, and have some giveaways. Members of “Matilda” will be at each stop for approximately one hour and the event is open to all ages, according to Kristy Moore, one of the show’s producers. This will be the community’s only chance to see the characters in person before curtains open on the show, she said. After that, they will have to buy tickets to the show, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on September 30, and October 1, 6, 7 and 8; and 2 p.m. October 2. |
Switching from singing with the recording to singing with the piano, they instantaneously agreed is the hardest part of the musical so far. When asked who is the funniest in the group? “We all are,” they said. Who is the loudest? They boisterously answered Ben Coyer, who plays Nigel. He is also the one who knows everyone’s lines but his own, his friends joshed to him. But who is the best dancer? That seemed unanimous as well – Lily Griffin, who plays Erica. “If you forget a dance, Lily is the one to look at,” said Makena Shaffer, who plays Lavender. When asked practically anything else, the swarm of answers that followed was hard to distinguish. As Baylee Rice, who plays Tammy, puts it, “We are all best friends.” |
“She’s like more mature than most of us,” Rice said of Fleeger, who had sheepishly admitted she got a head start on learning some of the longer parts of dialogue she had to memorize.
“I was surprised how you know them (her lines) so well,” said Isabel McNulty, who plays Alice.
After a few more laughs, a shared secret about the show’s big ending and a joke as to who might be the real Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull, the group was back into joyful pandemonium. Then the call for Act 2 came out and they all bustled on stage ready to get to work. It was all business for them. “It’s exciting to watch them learn and develop and make the show a show,” said theater stalwart Kevin Fox, who plays Mr. Wormwood. “They will carry us (adults). They will make us look great.” |