Reviews: Matilda the Musical at Lightridge High School
Written by Macee Schmidt of Centreville High School
Growing up is a difficult challenge, and there are no books that can help answer life's toughest questions, but when Lightridge High School's house lights go down and their production of Matilda the Musical begins, an important lesson is learned that cannot be taught in any book: Leading with your heart and following your dreams is the only answer to life that anyone will ever need.
The story of Matilda was first brought to life through Roald Dahl's 1988 children's novel, published by Jonathan Cape. A movie adaptation followed in 1996 by director Danny Devito, and from then on, the musical began to take flight, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly. The musical ran from 2010-2011 in the West End, with a Broadway transfer in 2013, and overall, it has garnered seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards, including Best New Musical. The story has become an instant classic, as it centers around Matilda, a prodigy of all thing's education, and her journey balancing the frightful chaos between her home life and her school life.
A wild imagination and a nose in a good book are the key to success for the bright-eyed and bold-hearted Matilda Wormwood, who's compelling story times and sharp smarts were brilliantly incorporated into Chloe Steverson's performance. Capturing the spotlight from curtain up to curtain down, Steverson's confident struts across the stage and vocally animated monologues bring a creative and heartfelt sense of childlike curiosity to the character that effortlessly shines and blends in with the rest of the ensemble and resonates with the crowd. Sophie Coyle's Miss Honey was equally as engrossing, with soft, delicate vibrato and an unspoken motherly charm, Coyle leaves behind a beautiful tenderness and comfort in numbers like "My House" that lingers within the hearts of the other characters.
Dominating the stage and transforming into the antithetical and tyrannical headmistress of Crunchem Hall, Agatha Trunchbull, was Laura Mlaker. Mlaker does not hesitate when it comes to embodying the intimidating and antagonistic character, whether it be a bone-chilling death stare or a militaristic march, every belt and bellow from Mlaker becomes one that is heard throughout the entire theater. A polar opposite dynamic from Trunchbull, the ensemble also found themselves in the limelight, with numbers such as "Revolting Children" and "When I Grow Up" livening up the stage with powerfully synced harmonies and shouts of rebellion that ignite a sense of nostalgia and reflect the growing pains of adolescence that is sure to tug on the heartstrings of the whole audience.
A thrilling story is never complete without the little details that enhance the artistic vision and tone. The lighting team (Caitlin Harrigan, Emily Barker) brilliantly honed in on the different moods throughout the show, using numerous color schemes such as yellow and orange hues to reflect that feeling of nostalgia and warmth that the themes of the show deliver, as well as using different shades of green to represent the Chokee. The set team (Alyssa Macaleer, Gabbie Janer) also created sets that effortlessly transport the stage into the halls of Crunchem Hall, such as Miss Honey's classroom and the Chokee being the principal pieces, and a staircase painted to look like a stack of books, adding just the perfect touch of magic to this production.
An iconic story that continues to captivate the hearts of millions, Lightridge High School's production of Matilda the Musical beautifully captures the magic of a young girl with big ambitions, and how sometimes being a little bit naughty can be rewarding.
Written by Devin Linthicum of Fairfax High School
With the "smell of rebellion" and lots of heart, Matilda at Lightridge High School proved to be a show filled with laughs, mischief, imagination, and empowerment. Matilda, originally written by Roald Dahl, follows the story of an extraordinarily smart girl forced to put up with a crude, "loud," and obnoxious family. Worse, she is sent to Crunchem Hall, a school run by the evil headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull. With the help of her shy, adoring teacher Miss Honey and her friends at school, Matilda sets out to make change. With the book by Dennis Kelly and music by Tim Minchin, the musical premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010 before moving to London's West End in 2011 and Broadway in 2013. "Like the sound of a page being turned in a book, or a pause for a walk in the woods," Matilda at Lightridge High School was an incredible show filled with unforgettable moments.
The performances of the young leads in Lightridge High School's Matilda proved that "even if you're little you can do a lot." Chloe Steverson as Matilda delivered a performance of professional caliber, balancing intelligence, emotion, and confidence with impressive control and presence. Steverson effectively characterized Matilda with a childlike maturity and additionally enhanced the production with her strong dance abilities. As Agatha Trunchbull, Laura Mlaker was incredibly entertaining, leaning fully into the role's exaggerated intensity while maintaining a stage presence that made every moment engaging. Specifically, in "The Hammer," Mlaker balanced sharp comedic timing with calculated intimidation. Gigi Nelson's portrayal of Mrs. Wormwood was equally captivating, using bold physicality and precise comedic timing to create a character that was both ridiculous and memorable. In "Loud," Nelson maintained strong vocal quality while executing demanding choreography. Meanwhile, Addison Lim as Lavender brought a bright, lively energy that complemented Matilda perfectly, showcasing strong characterization and a natural connection to the story. In Lavender's Act Two monologue, Lim lit up the stage with her hilarious quirks and delivery. Together, these actors made it clear that this production of Matilda was "as shiny as a mirror ball."
Alongside these standout performances, the incredible behind-the-scenes technical elements truly elevated the production. Marketing and publicity, led by Chloe Steverson, Nivedh Rao, Hasset Mikias, and Luke Cabral, proved to be both highly effective and genuinely engaging. Their team successfully created viral content across multiple platforms, maximizing outreach and building excitement within the community. Their consistent use of a blue color palette across social media grids thoughtfully reflected Matilda's signature color scheme, creating a cohesive and recognizable brand for the production. Costuming, designed by Addie Bobel, Ash Green, and Nadia Sikka, added another impressive layer. Standout looks included Mrs. Wormwood's vibrant pink and blue salsa outfit, which perfectly captured her bold and eccentric nature, the Escapologist's flowing cape that enhanced the storytelling elements, and the Trunchbull's structured pants that emphasized her imposing presence. The head
pieces featured in "Miracle" were especially memorable, adding a whimsical and unique visual element to the ensemble. In all, these technical contributions demonstrated a high level of creativity and attention to detail, significantly elevating the performance.
Ultimately, Lightridge High School's Matilda was a delightful production that celebrated the power of storytelling, individuality, and standing up for what is right. With its strong performances, thoughtful technical design, and clear passion from everyone involved, this show left a lasting impression and proved that even the smallest voices can make the biggest impact.