Matilda: Cast Q&A

Note: This is the first in a two-part series featuring Riverside’s production of Matilda. Yesterday’s article featured a summary of the show. [Read Part 1]

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.

Liz Frazer

Part in Musical: Matilda Wormwood

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: I’ve been in musicals since my freshman year, so I have been in a total of 2 musicals!

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I was the understudy of Lori Beth in the musical Happy Days, but Lori Beth is not exactly what I would call a “main character”. Matilda is my first major role 🙂 I was also in the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Favorite Song in this musical: My absolute favorite song in this musical is Quiet, and it may possibly be my favorite song EVER to sing.

What interested you in this role: I auditioned for this musical not expecting at all to get Matilda as my character!!! I actually had never even seen the movie “Matilda” when I first auditioned. When the roles were announced, I was in complete and utter shock and did not know at all what to expect. I immediately watched the movie and another high school version of the show and grew more and more excited for what was to come. I was most ecstatic to play such a young character and having the aspect of being so innocent and small, yet being able to have such an impact on the world around me.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: An iconic prop for Matilda is her books. I cannot name a scene off the top of my head where I am not interacting with a book! Also, Matilda always has her hands on her hips showing her confidence and capabilities which I would say is an iconic part of my costume.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part of my role so far is the song “Naughty”. I’ve never had professional vocal training, and the difficulty I have singing this number while dancing to it is immense. I also have a crazy hard time not laughing at Jack Miller as he plays Miss Trunchbull and tries to act all scary and serious during rehearsal. I have known Jack for so long, and him trying to scare me as he plays a female principal is very hard to react to properly

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Matilda has taught me to be patient. People who know me personally know that I am ALL over the place in that I move very quickly and never want to slow down. I cannot stand to wait for results or simply not get things done as soon as possible. Matilda does not need things to move at her pace. She is content in every state. Also, Matilda has proven to me that it is okay to not be liked by everyone else. I don’t have to make everyone happy. This is a concept so simple yet so hard to follow up on, and personally I have a difficult time taking up on this. I would definitely categorize myself as a people pleaser.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I KNOW the audience will love Miss Trunchbull. I also believe the audience will love Matilda’s solo of Naughty and the crazy choreography it has. My birthing scene is HILARIOUS. The swings are also a crazy fun touch.. you will have to see.

What is unique about this musical: In this musical we are encouraged to be reckless and disobedient and overly naughty children. Also, the set is absolutely INSANE! With all the colors and the way the stage is brought alive.

What other activities are you involved in: As well as musical, I am also involved in cheerleading, marching band, chamber choir, mios choir, environmental club, bible club, international club, model un, softball, and prom committee. I also am a cashier at Giant Eagle in Ellwood City.

Future plans: My future plans are to be a math professor! I have known for a while that I wanted to teach math, and recently I’ve decided that college students are the age range I am most interested in teaching.

Jack Miller

Part in Musical: Miss Trunchbull

Current Grade: 12th

Been in musicals/plays since: 2019/Freshman year

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: State fair, How to Succeed in business without really trying, Happy Days

Favorite Song in this musical: Smell of Rebellion, it’s just so wildly over the top, it makes it really fun to perform

What interested you in this role: I’ve always loved the big, over the top kind of roles, so I think that’s what initially drew me to her.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Probably the ballet ribbon I get to use in my first song, it was just a lot of fun learning how to use it, and I think it’ll get a good laugh.

What’s the hardest part about your role: Probably being mean to the little kids, they’re all so sweet and fantastic to work with, so that makes it difficult

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Oh gosh, it’s probably better to not take lessons from Miss Trunchbull, but what I’ve learned through her is probably that, well other people are humans too, and they don’t deserve to be treated as trash

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the cast of characters, because other than Matilda and Miss Honey, every other character is practically a caricature of themselves

What is unique about this musical: It has a almost darker tone than a lot of other shows, which can make it feel much more realistic than other musicals

What other activities are you involved in: Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, Mock Trial, Forensics, and Tennis

Future plans: Attend college for a degree in Philosophy, then continue education for a masters/doctorate to be a philosophy professor

Kassidy Schlemmer

Part in Musical: Mrs. Wormwood

Current Grade: 12th

Been in musicals/plays since: I have been participating in musicals since 2015, beginning with, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at the Red Barn Theatre.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I have been in several musicals at Riverside including “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, “Happy Days”, and of course, currently, “Matilda”. I was lucky enough to be Marion Cunningham for a performance last year. It was my first taste of being a leading lady!

Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in this musical is, “LOUD!”

What interested you in this role: I was interested in this role because it is very different from my true personality. Mrs. Wormwood, in a way, is a villain.   She’s funny, without meaning to be funny, eccentric, and “over the top.”  It’s been a great opportunity to be able to explore this type of character, not to mention a lot of fun!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I have a very unique hairstyle that requires a wig! Let’s just say this wig is something to behold!

What’s the hardest part about your role: The most challenging thing about this role, and also the most enjoyable part, is playing a character with such a unique, flamboyant personality. It’s also difficult to be a comedic actress, and I’m enjoying that challenge.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: My character has taught me to not take life so seriously, and when you have something important to say, make sure you say it, “LOUD!”

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: Simply said, this musical appeals to everyone!  While the musical sends a heartfelt message about the wonders of childhood, the audience will also enjoy the comedic relief of some of the characters.

What is unique about this musical: This musical is unique because of the blend of the innocence of children, and the sometimes questionable actions of adults that add to the humor of the performance.

What other activities are you involved in: I am involved in Choir, Chamber Choir, Track and Field, Soccer, Competitive Gymnastics, Student Council, New Castle Playhouse Rising Stars Mini- Camp, Coach, International and Video Yearbook club and many others.

Future plans: I am attending Grove City College in the fall to pursue a degree in Special and Early Childhood Education.  This will help to prepare me to eventually attain a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Pathology.

Tess Hardin

Part in Musical: Ms. Honey

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 8th grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Baby Fiona from Shrek , Joanie from Happy Days

Favorite Song in this musical: Revolting Children

What interested you in this role: How kind Mrs. Honey is and her character development

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My glasses

What’s the hardest part about your role: My solo, my house

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: How kindness will always overrule negativity

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think they will love it and find it very funny!What is unique about this musical: How many kids are in the numbers and how amazing they are doing

What other activities are you involved in: Soccer, NHS, Work

Future plans: Go to Kent State University to Major in Public Health