Mike Woody reviews ‘Matilda: The Musical’, at LaComedia Dinner Theatre now thru August 10
Review: Matilda: The Musical’
For their 50th season, La Comedia has been raising the bar on the quality of their shows. ‘Matilda: The Musical’ is no different. Much of the cast are children, not tall enough to reach the hypothetical standard bearing bar, but they surpass it when measured by talent.
Reading isn’t encouraged in Matilda, so to follow the theme I should do this review on Tik Tok or something. I’m not that technologically advanced though. The young cast can likely all text faster than me. It’s fitting though that I have never read the book Matilda, by Roald Dahl. I have only kind of half watched the musical movie, so I went in not sure what to expect. I left as a fan, and with a full stomach, including of chocolate cake.
The titular role is played by Alexandra Kiefaber (and Hazel Edwards). Kiefaber’s turn was the night I attended and she filled the stage with the presence of a seasoned veteran (a miniature Karie-Lee Sutherland). Matilda can move objects with her mind, like Kiefaber can via charm. She is often referred to as a he, but someone only with female pronouns could be as endearingly sweet as Kiefaber.
The opposite of everything good Matilda represents is portrayed by the villainous Miss Trunchbull. In an impressive and entertaining performance, Ty Smith fills the combat boots and Double D’s (?) that Miss. Trunchbull wears. Smith exceeds at being menacing and humorous at the same time. I’m thankful that Miss. Trunchbull was never my principal as she makes paddle spankings look as severe as writing sentences in comparison to her punishments.
My 8 year old daughter attended with me, and she adored Miss Honey, played by Katherine Baldwin. On the way home, my daughter kept saying how beautiful she was. I don’t disagree. Baldwin embodies the sweet nature of the character. If I had a teacher like Miss Honey, I might be able to text faster.
Neither would ever be considered as Parents of the Year, but Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood are certainly entertaining. As Matilda’s father, Philip Smyth is hilarious as the conniving used car salesman. It’s Smyth’s return to the La Comedia stage after a 15 plus year absence. Will be hard to wait just 15 minutes before seeing him perform again. Extra credit for working in one of La Comedia’s signature lines during his talk to the audience at the start of act 2. His better half, couldn’t be any worse, is played by Rebecca Lea. The Mrs. is a little dim in the head, but Lea is radiant as the ballroom dancer enthusiast. My daughter also especially enjoyed Lea’s leopard print costumes.
The show is wonderfully staged, with impressive and seamless set pieces. On America’s Got Talent I always enjoy the shadow acts, and believe that Allison Gabert (acrobat) and Tim Lawrence (escapologist) are golden buzzer worthy. Their shadow routine, correlating with a story told by Matilda, is mesmerizing to watch. Hint: Pay attention to the story, it’s very relevant.
The entire cast, children included, deserve a lot of credit for maintaining the level of excellence this season has provided. Those who frequent La Comedia won’t see any of the cast members who appear regularly, yet nothing was lost by their absence. That’s no disrespect to the regulars, but credit to the new talent.
More information about the show: ‘Matilda: The Musical’
