Filled with undying energy, twisted humor, dark characters, and a soundtrack to match, Matilda: The Musical debuted the first leg of a national tour in Philadelphia in mid-November.
Grown-ups who have read the book written by Roald Dahl will recognize all the classic characters throughout the show, including Matilda (played by Mabel Tyler), Miss Honey (played by Jennifer Blood), and the evil headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (played by Bryce Rynes). The cast did an outstanding job of bringing their famed characters to life.
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The show was big; the show was fun; the show was loud! It had a bit of a darker tone than I expected for a show billed as appropriate for ages 6 and up. In hindsight, it’s very easy to see why my 4-year-old daughter was frightened at times. She was particularly wary of Miss Trunchbull’s character, as well as some of the scenes showing conflict between the older and younger kids. The Matilda character is a sweet and intelligent girl who happens to have telekinetic powers. She works hard to overcome forces that keep her back in her family and in school. Young children may not be ready to digest these more mature themes, but older ones might actually feel empowered when they’re watching (as well as entertained)!
(Insider tip: Children under 4 are not admitted to this show, so keep the little ones at home for this one. Older children, tweens, and teens are much more likely to enjoy the humor and potentially unsettling undertones.)
The jokes and the plot intricacies were a big treat for the adults in the audience, including myself. Teenagers would likely feel the same way. Overall, I found the show to be a fun, high-energy musical, leaving adults and older kids tapping their toes, laughing, and clapping their hands.
Looking for shows to delight tinier tots? Check out our Events Calendar to see what’s coming up!
Image courtesy of the Kimmel Center.