A Little Girl with Big Ideas and Even Bigger Courage
Matilda Wormwood is not your typical child. Just 5 years old when the story begins and turning 6 along the way, she’s whip-smart, book-obsessed, and deeply misunderstood by the two people who should love her most—her parents. While her father scams customers and her mother dreams of dance trophies, Matilda finds comfort at the local library, spinning stories for a kind librarian and devouring everything from Dickens to Dostoevsky.
But things don’t get easier when she starts school. Crunchem Hall—a joyless institution that sounds exactly like what it is—is more a battleground than a classroom, ruled by Miss Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion turned headmistress who delights in terrorizing children. Her signature punishment? The Chokey—a dark, narrow, spike-lined cabinet where misbehaving students are locked away. Subtle it is not.
Fortunately, Matilda is tougher than she looks. As the chaos builds, she discovers she has a special power (yes, the moving-things-with-her-mind kind), and with the help of her gentle teacher Miss Honey, Matilda finds a way to stand up for herself—and everyone else—before rewriting the ending to her own story.
That’s the plot. Now here’s what Novato Theater Company does with it: they bring the magic to life—and then some.
Under the surefooted direction and choreography of Marilyn Izdebski, Matilda the Musical strikes a beautiful balance between spectacle and storytelling. With Judy Wiesen guiding the music, Tim Minchin’s rapid-fire, emotionally rich score shines—full of wit, rhythm, and unexpected sweetness.
Piera Tamer brings the role of Matilda to life with remarkable poise, intelligence, and just the right touch of mischief—anchoring the show with a performance that feels both grounded and luminous. Jane Harrington’s Miss Trunchbull is a towering comic force—she’s the Hunchback of Notre Dame with her hunch on the front, stomping through scenes with a chest full of rage and ridiculousness. It’s a big, bold performance that leans into physical comedy without losing the menace, and Harrington pulls it off with fearless commitment. Anna Vorperian delivers a quietly powerful performance as Miss Honey—the gentle presence who shows Matilda what kindness and courage can look like.
Photo Credit: Jere Torkelsen
Pat Barr and Melody Payne, as Matilda’s cartoonishly awful parents, go gleefully over the top—delivering perfectly timed performances that feel outrageous but never out of step with the story’s tone. They’re not just a source of comedy—they help define what Matilda is fighting against.
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And then there are the kids.
A couple dozen young performers light up the stage like a coordinated burst of energy. They sing, dance, and nail tight choreography with the kind of discipline that would be impressive at any age. But beyond the precision, there’s something else happening: joy. Watching these kids perform—fully present, fully committed—is enthralling, entertaining, and yes, inspiring. For a few shining scenes, everything feels right with the world. That’s the kind of theater that sticks with you.
By the time “Revolting Children” kicks in, the audience is with them—cheering not just for Matilda, but for every underdog who dares to speak up. This production isn’t just a good time—it’s a reminder that stories matter, kids matter, and sometimes, the smallest voices carry the most power.
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Performances:
Through June 8, 2025
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Novato Theater Company
5420 Nave Drive, Novato, CA
Tickets:
Visit NovatoTheaterCompany.org
or email Tickets@NovatoTheaterCompany.org
