Riverside Beaver County School District to Present Matilda

Note: This is the first in a two-part series featuring Riverside’s production of Matilda. Tomorrow’s article will feature four of the musical’s leads.

It’s the ultimate girl boss production. She packs wit, a library of knowledge, and psychokinetic powers. And, although she’s just a little girl, Matilda is extraordinary.

The Riverside Beaver County School District will celebrate its 59^th anniversary of theatre with the landmark show Matilda March 24-27 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 100 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers and produced by Vaughn Hudspath.

The Tony Award-winning Ronald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.

Riverside’s production surely packs a punch of imagination with colorful creative sets, student actors who divulge themselves into the characters, and stunning vocals. Riverside does the production justice.

The audience will be captivated by the smooth voice of Liz Frazier who flawlessly leads the cast as Matilda. Kassidy Schlemmer racks up the laughs as Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda’s mother. Jacob Storey-Smith drives the audience mad with his refusal to accept that Matilda is not a boy in an authentic take on the iconic role of Mr. Wormwood, Matilda’s father. He plays the part to an amazingly convincing level. Then there is the lovable Miss Honey, played by Tess Hardin. Everyone loves Miss Honey. She has a gentleness in her part, one that will remind the audience of their favorite teacher. And last but not least, Miss Trunchbull is played perfectly by Jack Miller. Miss Trunchbull makes us all remember when we didn’t always follow the rules and how terrifying it was to have the principal looming over you. Miller dominates the cast in such a menacing way completely nailing the role.

The lead cast members are backed by cast performing high-energy dance numbers and songs.

Matilda will grace the stage on Thursday March 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday March 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday March 26 at 7:30 p.m.; and will cap off with a matinee on Sunday March 27 at 2 p.m.

All tickets for these performances are $12.00 and can be purchased here online.

Riverside Beaver High School is located at 300 Country Club Drive, Ellwood City, PA  16117.  For general questions, contact the Matilda Hotline at 724-758-7512 Extension 2823.

Cast:

Matilda Wormwood
Liz Frazer

Children’s Entertainer/Sergei
Logan Fox

Lavender
Tiffany Gwengo

Miss Honey
Tess Hardin

Rudolpho
Corban Knight

Acrobat
Lauren Krug

Doctor/Escapologist
Patrick Lapergola

Miss Trunchbull
Jack Miller

Bruce
Avery Rebholz

Michael Wormwood
Ellis Rebholz

Mrs. Wormwood
Kassidy Schlemmer

Mr. Wormwood
Jacob Storey-Smith

Mrs. Phelps
Shannon Tritt