Pike Road: "Roald Dahl's 'Matilda, the Musical'"

Roald Dahl's 1988 novel, Matilda, tells the story of a precocious child who is unloved and mistreated by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, and sent to a boarding school where her intellectual achievements are unacceptable to the abusively tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Though she manages to make a few friends among the students, and finds she has telekinetic powers that get her out of scrapes with the authorities, Matilda is encouraged to read and tell stories to Mrs. Phelps, and is ultimately rescued by a compassionate teacher, Miss Honey.

Several versions of Dahl's novel are available, the 2010 musical being one of the most popular, and which is currently part of the Pike Road Theatre Company's season.

There are several reasons to attend the award-winning Roald Dahl's "Matilda, the Musical" [book: Dennis Kelly; music and lyrics: Tim Minchin] in addition to the play itself:

• It is the first venture of the Pike Road Theatre Company in its new-found home at Faulkner University in a proper theatre facility that can showcase the play's production values;
• It has stunning multi-tasking sets with moving parts that quickly and seamlessly shift locations; and effectively creative lighting [neither designer is given credit in the program];
• It has beautifully rendered character driven costumes designed by Emily Blossom;
• It features Kim Isbell's masterful, athletic, challenging choreography delivered with precise and disciplined enthusiasm by the able ensemble cast;
• It is directed by James Keith Posey, whose attention to detail moves the action clearly forward with inventive staging and characterizations;
• It has an ensemble of veteran actors in principal roles, who inhabit their roles completely, warts-and-all [Jason Morgan and Kristen Vanderwal as the nasty Wormwood parents; Tara Troccia as the patient and concerned Mrs. Phelps; Jenifer Hollett as the voracious headmistress you love to hate, Miss Trunchbull; and Sarah Olguin as the faithful savior, Miss Honey];
• It is centered in a mature-beyond-her-years performance of 4th-grader Caroline Suggs in the title role, whose clear angelic singing voice, admirable stage presence, ability to connect with her stage partners, and confident interpretation of dialogue and lyrics carries this show on her very capable shoulders.

The 34-member ensemble cast do an admirable job in entertaining PRTC's largely sold-out audiences, and carry them along with effervescent enthusiasm. -- Accompanied by a recorded musical score, and with over-amplified voices, some dialogue and many of the lyrics are drowned out. We get the general meaning and intentions, but often have to struggle to hear the precise words.

Nonetheless, this production of Roald Dahl's "Matilda, the Musical" is a crowd-pleaser that deserves the enthusiastic applause at the final curtain.

Cloverdale Playhouse: "The Explorer's Club"

Smile, giggle, laugh, and snort your way through the outrageously comical The Explorer's Club that opened last night at The Cloverdale Playhouse. -- Nell Benjamin's witty script and over-the-top characters are pure fodder for director and scenic designer J. Scott Grinstead's nine ensemble actors: James-Louis Avery, Jon Carroll, Isaac Garrison, Jacob Holmberg, Sarah Housley, Chris Roquemore, Jan Roeton, Hunter Stewart, and Mike Winkelman. 

As the eccentric members of the men-only Explorer's Club gather in mid-Victorian London, each of whom has a specific scientific expertise, they bemoan the disappearance of their bartender. One member promotes admitting a woman to their membership -- controversial, of course, but she is, after all, both brilliant and good looking, and has just returned from an expedition to a fabled Lost City with one of the natives in tow.

Add a pompous bureaucrat, an Irish rebel, a poisonous snake, and the assorted in-fighting and romantic jealousies among the members, as well as confusions of the native as he navigates linguistic and cultural challenges, and the cumulative effect of the hijinks at hand is contagious laughter.

Mr. Grinstead's lush scenic design is period specific and detailed, creating an atmosphere that is supported by Sarah Kay's witty and character driven costumes, all enhanced by finely executed lighting [Jason Grinstead] and sound [Noah Henninger].

The action moves swiftly, its two acts lasting under two hours including intermission. -- The Explorer's Club is loud and funny, and the actors are a fine ensemble group who support one another throughout. Occasional comic lines are covered by audience laughter or stage business, but no matter...the madcap shenanigans keep the audience gleefully entertained.