photo credit: The Phantom Projects Theatre Group/Alexis Gonzalez

Written by Patrick Chavis

The Phantom Projects Theatre presents: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr., playing now at the La Habra Depot Theatre July 12 – 21, 2024.

This play is double cast. I watched the Miracle Cast, and what a miracle they were. They perform July 12, 13,14,20,21. The Telly Cast performs on July 13,14,19,20,21. This review will only cover the Miracle Cast. Director and choreographer Sharie Nitkin holds together this behemoth production of kids and teenagers and provides a beautifully choreographed and sung production of this childhood classic with an important message for young and old. And the magic, oh, the magic, is also very important!

Story:

Matilda the Musical Jr. is an abbreviated adapted version of Matilda the Musical. These Jr. scripts trim the material to make it easier and more accessible for young performers and audiences. The show is shorter than the original Broadway Matilda, and because of that, fans of the original material will feel like something is missing but get over it. It’s not about you, which I told myself when writing this. The Jr. version maintains Matilda‘s important plot points and messages: (1) standing up for yourself and others against bullies and unfair rules, and (2) being different or unique from the crowd is not bad but one of the beautiful parts of being human. Nothing outside the box in this production, but it was well-staged and paced for the majority of the showing.

Set Design:

The stage has a light blue wall with various colored letters spread all over it. On the left side of the stage sits a colorful table with balloons and party gifts. A giant video screen plays performances as you take your seat. The wall is movable and transforms into a classroom, library, and multiple other locations. The transitions in this, especially for a kids’ play, were incredibly smooth.

Acting:

The magical moments in this were quite spectacular, with the help of a compelling performance from Lola Buckland.   She’s the Matilda of this production and had the stoic attitude and moxy to bring the laughs in certain moments and your attention in others. Buckland was a double threat on that stage. Besides getting the right temperament, Buckland’s talent for getting the accent and projecting through that mic brought many of these great songs to life. “Naughty” and “Quiet” were highlights at my show.

This large group of kids working on this production thrill with energetic sequences that fill that stage so much that the performers are also performing, dancing, and moving off stage.

Amery Sanders’s (Miss Honey) kindness, compassion, and timid nature can be heard and seen through Sanders’s tender rendition of “This Little Girl” and in the back and forth between her and Buckland.

How could I not mention Sofia Sorto, who plays Lavander Brown? It’s impossible. She’s a firecracker, and there’s not a dull moment from Sorto.

A shortened Matilda for sure, but not in spirit.

Review

8.3 Overall

0 Users (0 votes)

Story8.4

Acting8.2

Set & Design8.5

Costumes7.8

Entertainment8.4

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Good Show! OCR Recommended!