Just because you find that life’s not fair, it doesn’t mean you have to grin and bear it.
Meet Matilda, a young girl with a love of learning, a quick wit, a vivid imagination, and perhaps just as importantly, a penchant for sticking up for the downtrodden. (That she has telekinetic powers doesn’t hurt, either.).
She’s also the protagonist and namesake for the upcoming Iola Community Theatre production of “Matilda the Musical,” which runs Friday through Sunday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Based on the children’s book, “Matilda,” by British author Roald Dahl, the musical is replete with memorable song and dance numbers, outlandish characters and of course, a tale that celebrates imagination and a love of learning.
For those unfamiliar with Dahl’s story, Matilda Wormwood is the sweet, but almost forgotten, child of a pair of negligent parents who are unaware (but nevertheless annoyed) by her obvious mental prowess.
Others are quick to spot Matilda’s gifts, including her kind-hearted teacher, Miss Honey.
But Matilda’s rebellious streak also catches the eye of her school’s tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who carries a zero-tolerance policy for rule-breakers.
AS THE musical’s protagonist, Stephanie Fees is simply brilliant. Her vocal range is practically limitless and her expressive stories of intrigue engaging enough to keep her schoolmates and a local librarian in rapt attention. (The same goes for the audience, too.)
And, as she explains, it doesn’t hurt to be a little bit naughty.
But a story is only as good as its villain.
And with Teagan Kern’s incomparable performance as Trunchbull, it launches an already delightful tale into the stratosphere.
Kern’s menacing glare alone is enough to make Cruella DeVille cower in her shoes.
And as much as Miss Trunchbull loathes those who break the rules, she delights just as much in meting out their punishment, including launching a student across the school yard by her ponytails and stretching another child’s ears from his head like silly putty.
But she saves the worst of the worst for a stay in her customized spike-lined cupboard she affectionately calls The Chokey.
EQUALLY outlandish are River Hess and Candice Grundy as Matilda’s derelict — but still downright hilarious — parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Wormwood.
Mr. Wormwood is an unscrupulous car salesman, who resents (a) his daughter’s intellect; and (b) that she isn’t a boy.
