The company of Slow Burn Theatre's "Matilda: The Musical" now on stage at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Gregory Reed)
The first thing that you will likely marvel at in the professional, nonprofit Slow Burn Theatre Company's mesmerizing production of "Matilda: The Musical" is the performance of the 10-year-old playing the roughly 6- year-old titular character. No doubt, she demonstrates the kind of stage presence and naturalness that is common for experienced and respected performers four times her age. If Saheli Khan can demonstrate this type of confidence, poise, and spontaneity on stage at her young age, it is tempting to think about the feats she can achieve when Khan is older.
Whether the titular character is scolding her nitwit father for putting profits over people, or dramatically reading the story about the escapologist and acrobat to a mesmerized Mrs. Phelps (an enthusiastic Karen Stephens with a convincing Caribbean accent), Khan, while speaking and singing on-stage as "Matilda," looks and sounds as natural as someone breathing. Also, to her credit, she never comes across as "cute."
Bryan Austermann, center, is the wicked Miss Trunchbull in Slow Burn Theatre's "Matilda: The Musical" now on stage at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Gregory Reed)
The youngster leads an impressive cast of triple threats, (adults and children), in Slow Burn's bravura production. It is running through April 10 in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts' intimate Amaturo Theater.
During the recent past, school districts have made headlines by banning books. So, it is entirely timely to mount a production of "Matilda." After all, the musical, based on children's author Roald Dahl's popular tale, celebrates the power of the imagination and the joy of reading. Indeed, the title character is an avid reader. And she somehow possesses the capacity to read and comprehend books intended for older children and adults. "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky? Yes, the little girl has read it. And yes, Dostoevsky's novel has found its way onto banned books lists. Ditto for Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," which Matilda has also read.
In fact, censorship happens in "Matilda." Specifically, the girl's father, Mr. Wormwood (a colorfully kooky Anthony Cataldo) rips pages out of a book that the girl has borrowed from the library. One cannot help but squirm, knowing that censorship is happening today, as Mr. Wormwood badmouths books and rips them apart.
It is not clear when Dahl or the musical adaptation's creators have set "Matilda." However, the timeless story set in England, about the anarchy of childhood, bad parenting, bullying, the power of stories, the imagination, and a special little girl hoping for a better life, speaks in different ways to each generation witnessing "Matilda." That is the definition of a classic, and "Matilda" certainly is one. For those unfamiliar with the show, some background may be helpful.
The title character is the type of person you would call an outsider. She is brilliant for her age, yet not only underappreciated but mistreated. Her parents mock her and emotionally abuse her. Meanwhile, the school which she attends has a headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who makes Miss Hannigan from Annie seem like a Girl Scout Adviser of the Year candidate.
Trunchbull emotionally and physically abuses the children. For instance, in Dahl's dark, twisted world, she picks a girl up by her pigtails, and throws her a far distance. Let's not forget, the Trunchbull is an Olympic javelin, discus, and hammer thrower from the 1972 Olympics.
Her other cruel penalties include locking her charges in the "chokey" for lengthy periods. It is a dark, narrow cupboard with spikes in the walls and nails sticking up from the floor. But in the end, Matilda's smarts and magical powers may prove too much for even the Trunchbull to overcome.
Mallory Newbrough and Anthony Cataldo in a scene from Slow Burn Theatre's "Matilda: The Musical" now on stage at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Gregory Reed)
Speaking of her, a man traditionally plays the headmistress, adding to the show's humor. And Slow Burn Theatre Company does not break with this tradition. Bryan Austermann has created a less sneaky and sly Trunchbull than others I have seen. However, Austermann's menace neatly fits this character.
Other actors delivering strong performances include Cataldo and Mallory Newbrough asMatilda's bumbling parents. Cataldo's portrayal might bring to mind a spastic Daniel Stern, while Newbrough might call to mind the airheaded Lily St. Regis from "Annie."
In a stark contrast from the evil characters, Lillie Thomas exudes modesty, warmth, and sincerity as the children's aptly-named teacher, Miss Honey. And Thomas, through spoken words and song, make us feel the character's struggle between her insecurity and her desire to speak up on behalf of Matilda.
Dahl's novel won the Children's Book Award shortly after its publication in 1988. The novel's mix of jet black humor, charm, and poignancy is irresistible. Altogether, the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation, with a book by Dennis Kelly, as well as music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, has won 47 international awards.
The musical adaptation retains Dahl's dark, twisted humor and poignancy. And the adaptation deepens the mystery surrounding the character of Matilda. Recorded music accompanies the strong singers in this production.
The live show is not only faithful to the novel, but enhances it through songs which deepen emotions but are not particularly memorable. And one of the songs, "When I Grow Up" seems out of place; it does not follow naturally from the dialogue that preceded it. Before the number, one of the students tells us that she will play a prank on Trunchbull. Then, suddenly, the children start singing about their future while swinging on swings.
A rebellious spirit suffuses the musical, particularly toward the end. Indeed, the smell of rebellion from "revolting" children has rarely, if ever, been sweeter than in this musical. And under Patrick Fitzwater's assured direction and choreography, the child actors, through fearless, confident, and intense singing and dancing, convey the child characters' indomitable spirits. Clearly, they are not gonna take it anymore from the likes of the Trunchbull.
Behind the scenes, Clifford Spulock's rainbow of lights focuses the characters and adds to the otherworldliness of the tale. The use of stage fog also enhances the sense of mystery and nonrealism. However, one shortcoming comes after Miss Trunchbull picks up a girl by her pigtails and throws her a far distance. While the girl is "airborne," it is too dark to see the characters' expressions as they look up at the drastic display.
"Matilda: The Musical" is on stage through April 10 at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale. (Photo by Gregory Reed) photo by Gregory Reed
The set's dominant pieces are tall shelves of library books, which are appropriate for a story celebrating reading, stories, and the imagination. While the program does not mention a set designer, it credits Jameelah Bailey as the props and set dressing supervisor.
Rick Pena's character-defining costumes and Fitzwater's sound design are also mostly assets, although it is sometimes hard to understand what the characters are saying or singing. That might be due to the fact that the actors speak and sing in a convincing British accent.
As strong as the company and behind-the-scenes folks are, Khan in the title role, is the biggest star of this production. Certainly, her future seems so bright, shades might be required.
Slow Burn Theatre's production of "Matilda: The Musical" runs through April 10 in the intimate Amaturo Theater., inside the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. 5th Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, as well as 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3. Ticket prices range from $49 to $65. For tickets, go to https://www.ticketmaster.com.
