'Matilda the Musical' swarms with kids

“Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical,” playing at the Lincoln Theatre, is an enchanting and whimsical adaptation of Dahl’s book, “Matilda.” While maintaining the original storyline of having a tremendously dysfunctional family whirling around amid the clarity of their brainy, magical girl, it also included surprising nuances: the sandwiched scenes of Matilda telling a story to an entranced librarian; the entrance of bilked Russians taking down the used car salesman father. The play was obviously a theatrical achievement for META. With a cast of 48, an action packed story and a frenetic pace, it was a whirlwind entertaining production. Overall, it was great fun.

However, the musical choruses were difficult to follow.

While a single child’s high pitched, racing voice on a microphone is difficult enough to understand, groups of 15 and more youngsters trying to recite, and especially sing, in unison – all fast paced and using microphones, while competing with a loud band – is even harder to comprehend.

The failing lies not so much in the musical ability of the children or the tunes, but rather simply in the diction, the verbal presentation.

This is the one downside of the show.

Slow down the speech, temper the dynamics of the band and the audience would have been able to understand nearly all the script and lyrics, instead of the 50% that many followed.

But if the songs and quality of diction (the audiences’ ability to understand the script and lyrics) get only a C. I loved lots. I was disappointed lots. But in the end, I encourage the ensemble and the production team to give themselves a ‘Bravo!’ for taking on a very challenging play with gusto, tenacity and enthusiasm. And I encourage this important local theatre troupe to continue to do us proud.

The cast proves that there are no small parts, only small actors. This is especially true when youth are involved. Every parent reading this needs to reserve tickets and bring their own children. Go and enjoy child actors as young as seven enjoying themselves and performing with skill and heart beyond their ages.

As an English story, it’s too bad that only a few adults sported a British accent. It seems like either everyone should have an accent, or nobody has one. This did not make theatrical sense and became a distraction.

In spite of this, the audience loved the play (although it would be interesting to know how many were related to this huge ensemble!) The character studies were delightful.

Dahl would have been pleased! The pompous and reckless character of Mr. Wormwood (Rob Neeleman) was absolutely ecstatic.

Mrs. Wormwood (Heather DeGroot) was delightful, with her ego-centered but empty life.

Miss Trunchbull (Joshua Sullivan) was both hysterical and evil – and huge in his fat body suit under his Cossack-like military style costume.

And Matilda (Leiella Rivers, age nine) was a real star, with all the aspects of enthusiasm, optimism, courage and smarts that made her such a beloved darling in the original story.

The casting (Donna Dupras, Amanda Wilson-McInnis, producers), directing (TJ Fantini), staging and acting all get an A. The choreography (Glynna Goff) earned an A+. Wormwood’s orange plaid suit and hair is another A+ and the kids’ school uniforms and the rest of the costumes (Amber Frahm, designer) win an A+.

Dupras’ musical direction: A.

All the performance managers are to be applauded for bringing out the best in their young cast and molding them into a well-coordinated and disciplined acting ensemble.

“Matilda plays Thursdays-Sundays, but not Oct. 31, closing Nov. 2. Times and tickets: lincolntheatre.org/performance/roald-dahls-matilda-musical.