Description
Featuring original cast member and Tony-nominee Bertie Carvel (as the wicked and outrageous Miss Trunchbull – a rare performance that has to be heard to be believed) and Tony-nominee Lauren Ward (as Miss Honey) along with Tony Winner for the role of Mr. Wormwood, Gabriel Ebert, and Tony-nominee Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood.) A brilliant adaptation of the Roald Dahl book by Tony winner Dennis Kelly. Highly recommended!
The Track Listing:
1. Overture
2. Miracle: Part 1
3. Miracle: Part 2
4. Miracle: Part 3
5. Naughty
6. School Song
7. Pathetic
8. The Hammer
9. The Chokey Chant
10. Loud
11. This Little Girl
12.Bruce
13. Telly
14. When I Grow Up
15. I’m Here (Story 4)
16. The Smell of Rebellion
17. Quiet
18. My House
19. Chalk Writing
20. Revolting Children
21. When I Grow Up/Naughty (Reprise)
Bonus Tracks
22. Once Upon A Time… (Story 1)
23. The Great Day Arrived… (Story 2)
24. The Trick Started Well… (Story 3)
Deluxe Edition Only Bonus Tracks
25. Perhaps A Child
26. Naughty (sung by all 4 Broadway Matildas)
Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers, the Broadway smash opened in April at the Shubert Theatre to rapturous reviews. MATILDA THE MUSICAL received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for each of the four girls sharing the title role, five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, as well as two Outer Critics Circle Awards.
Winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus, who helms this production with a book by Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin.
The production has sets and costumes by Tony Award winner Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Tony Award winner Hugh Vanstone, and sound by Simon Baker.
(FOOTLIGHT NOTE: Tim Minchin’s score is a welcome breath of fresh air. New, modern and completely Minchin – it’s a step in the right direction! Please Tim, I want some more.)
“WELCOME TO THE DELIRIOUSLY AMUSING, MALEVOLENT, HEARTWARMING, HEAD-SPINNING WORLD OF MATILDA THE MUSICAL. YOU WON’T WANT TO LEAVE.” – Bloomberg News
The Tony Award®-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Rolling Stone calls the show “hands down the BEST MUSICAL of the season.” Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA has won 47 international awards, and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway and in London’s West End.
The Wall Street Journal says, “The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible – triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany and stupendous fun.”
“ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, A SHOW COMES OUT BLAZING AND RESTORES YOUR FAITH IN BROADWAY. MATILDA THE MUSICAL IS THAT SHOW.” New York Post
“MATILDA IS THE BEST MUSICAL SINCE THE LION KING!” – TIME Magazine
“THE BEST FAMILY MUSICAL IN YEARS.” – Chicago Tribune
History of the show:
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere production of Roald Dahl’s MATILDA THE MUSICAL has captured the imagination of young and old alike, and continues to play to packed houses at London’s Cambridge Theatre. The London production was the winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards in 2012.
The critically acclaimed production began preview performances on Broadway March, 4 2013, with the official opening night April 11, 2013.
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, with original songs from comedian Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly, MATILDA is a captivating new musical masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.
The production is directed by Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell with choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, musical supervision and orchestration by Christopher Nightingale, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.
Act I
As a chorus of children boast about being their parents’ miracles, the ballroom dancing obsessed Mrs. Wormwood gives birth to a baby girl called Matilda. The doctor thinks Matilda is the most beautiful child he has ever seen but Mrs. Wormwood is worried about a dancing contest she has missed and Mr. Wormwood—a used-car salesman and television addict—dismisses the child as ugly (‘Miracle’). Five years later, Matilda—an avid reader—lives unhappily with her parents and her older, gormless brother Michael. The Wormwoods are oblivious to her ability and frequently mock and verbally abuse her. Matilda adds some of her mother’s hydrogen peroxide to her father’s hair oil, leaving Mr. Wormwood with bright green hair (‘Naughty’).
At the local library Matilda tells Mrs. Phelps a story about a world-famous acrobat and escapologist couple who long to have a child but cannot. To distract themselves from their sadness they announce to the world’s press that they will perform an exciting and dangerous new act. The next day is Matilda’s first day at school (‘School Song’). Her teacher Miss Honey is impressed by Matilda’s precociousness and ability, so she recommends that Matilda is moved to the top class with the older children (‘Pathetic’). However, the child-hating, disciplinarian headmistress Miss Trunchbull dismisses Miss Honey’s suggestion and lectures her on the importance of following rules (‘The Hammer’).
At the Wormwood’s house, Mr. Wormwood is frustrated about losing a sale of worn-out cars to a group of rich Russians. He takes his frustration out on Matilda and destroys one of her library books; prompting her to put superglue around the rim of his hat (‘Naughty Reprise’). At school, Matilda learns of Miss Trunchbull’s cruel punishments, including the Chokey; a tiny cupboard in which she locks disobedient children for hours (‘Chokey Chant’). Matilda sees Miss Trunchbull spin a small girl around by her pigtails and throw her across the playing field. Meanwhile, Miss Honey decides to visit the Wormwoods to express her recommendation that Matilda be put in an advanced class. She meets Mrs. Wormwood and her dance partner Rudolpho. It soon becomes apparent that Mrs. Wormwood does not care about her daughter’s intelligence and she mocks Miss Honey’s interest in books and intellect (‘Loud’). Alone outside the Wormwood’s house, Miss Honey is desperate to help Matilda but feels powerless to do so (‘This Little Girl’).
Matilda tells Mrs. Phelps more about the acrobat and the escapologist. The acrobat’s sister, a former world champion hammer-thrower who loved to scare small children, has arranged their performance. The escapologist announces that the performance has been cancelled because the acrobat is pregnant. The crowd is thrilled but the acrobat’s sister is furious at the prospect of refunding the crowd’s money and produces a contract binding them to perform the act or go to jail. At school, Bruce Bogtrotter, a boy in Matilda’s class, has stolen a slice of Miss Trunchbull’s personal chocolate cake. She punishes Bruce by forcing him to eat an entire cake in front of the class, who bravely support him (‘Bruce’). After Bruce has finished the cake, the class celebrates his success but Miss Trunchbull drags Bruce away to the Chokey.
Act II
Mr. Wormwood advises the audience against reading in favour of watching television (‘Telly’). Lavender, a girl in Matilda’s class, tells the audience that she is going to put a newt in Miss Trunchbull’s jug of water later on in the show. The children gather and sing about their hopes for when they grow up (‘When I Grow Up’). Matilda resolves to end Miss Trunchbull’s cruelty. She tells Mrs. Phelps more of the story of the acrobat and the escapologist. Bound by their contract, they perform their feat, which goes well until the last moment when the acrobat is fatally injured, living just long enough to give birth to a girl. The escapologist invites the acrobat’s sister to move in with him to help look after his daughter. Unknown to the escapologist, the girl’s aunt is secretly cruel to her, forcing her to perform menial tasks and abusing her verbally and physically.
Mr. Wormwood returns home from work pleased because he has sold his worn-out cars to the wealthy Russians, having used an automatic drill to wind back their milometers. Matilda is annoyed at her father’s deceit and scolds him, which angers him and he locks her in her bedroom. That night, Matilda continues the story of the acrobat and the escapologist. After years of cruelty, the aunt’s rage has grown; one day she beats the child, locks her in the cellar and goes out. That evening, the escapologist returns home early and discovers the extent of the aunt’s cruelty. As he comforts his daughter, he promises her he will always be there for her. Filled with rage, he runs out to find the aunt but is never seen again (‘I’m Here’).
The next day, Miss Trunchbull forces Miss Honey’s class to undergo a gruelling physical education lesson (‘The Smell of Rebellion’). Miss Trunchbull discovers the newt in her jug; she accuses the first child she sees and starts to punish him. Matilda scolds Miss Trunchbull for being a bully. Miss Trunchbull verbally abuses Matilda, but Matilda discovers she can move objects with her mind (‘Quiet’). She tips over the water jug and the newt lands in Miss Trunchbull’s knickers. Matilda demonstrates her powers to Miss Honey, who is surprised and invites Matilda to her house for tea. Matilda admits that her father is not proud of her and calls her names.
Miss Honey’s cruel and abusive aunt, who looked after her as a child after her parents died, forces her to live in an old farm shed in abject poverty. When Miss Honey first became a teacher, her aunt produced a bill detailing everything Miss Honey consumed as a child, along with other expenses, and forced her to sign a contract binding her to pay it all back. Despite this, Miss Honey finds beauty in her meagre living conditions (‘My House’). As Miss Honey tells her story, she produces a scarf which Matilda recognises from her story of the acrobat and the escapologist—which she realises is the true story of Miss Honey’s childhood, and that her wicked aunt is Miss Trunchbull.
Back at school, Miss Trunchbull forces the children to take a spelling test; anyone who misspells a word will be sent to Chokey. The children fail to misspell a single word, so Miss Trunchbull invents a word to force one of the children to be sent to Chokey. As the victim is about to be taken to Chokey, her classmates deliberately misspell simple words, telling her she cannot send them all to Chokey. However, Miss Trunchbull has built many more Chokies. Matilda uses her powers to write on the blackboard and convinces Miss Trunchbull that the ghost of Miss Honey’s father is demanding that she gives his daughter back her house or he will punish her. Miss Trunchbull runs from the school screaming and the children celebrate their freedom (‘Revolting Children’).
At the library, Miss Honey and Mrs. Phelps relay the aftermath of the events. A few days after Miss Trunchbull ran away, Miss Honey’s parents’ will has been found; they left all their money and their house to her. Miss Trunchbull is never seen again and Miss Honey becomes the new headmistress of the school. Matilda cannot use her powers again. The Wormwoods arrive at the library in a panic, telling Matilda that she must leave with them because they are fleeing to Spain. The wealthy Russians Mr. Wormwood was dealing with are the Russian Mafia, who are unhappy about being sold broken cars. Miss Honey asks if Matilda can stay with her, but the mafia arrive before a decision can be made. Sergei, the head of the Mafia, is impressed and moved by Matilda’s intellect and respect, and he agrees not to harm the Wormwoods providing he never has to deal with Mr. Wormwood again (‘This Little Girl Reprise’). Mr. Wormwood agrees to let Matilda live with Miss Honey. (When I Grow Up Reprise)
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