PARKERSBURG, West Virginia — The Actors Guild of Parkersburg is thrilled to announce the opening of its highly anticipated production, Matilda the Musical, based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl. The musical will premiere on July 26, 2024, and promises to be a spectacular show for audiences of all ages.
Matilda the Musical is a captivating tale of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. This enchanting musical has won numerous awards, including seven Olivier Awards in the UK and five Tony Awards in the US, and continues to delight audiences worldwide.
Chloe Rader plays teacher “Miss Honey” in this production. The Mid-Ohio Valley native and frequent performer with AGP is excited to be playing such an iconic role. “I think the most inspiring thing about (my) character is how she stands up for Matilda and the rest of her students, despite her own fears. I try to bring this into my performance by having a good bond with the kids on and off of the stage. Having this bond with my ‘class’ makes it easy for me to be in the headspace of wanting to care for them and protect them against The Trunchbull.”
“The Trunchbull,” of course, is Miss Agatha Trunchbull, the headmistress of Matilda’s school. Her bite is definitely as bad as her bark and she is portrayed in this production by AGP veteran, RJ Lowe.
The large production features 30 performers, many of whom are children.
“Working with so many children has been... loud,” said Lowe of the experience. “They certainly do have a lot of energy. As soon as I figure out how to bottle all that combustibility, I am going to be RICH!”
Other featured cast includes Vera Lochard, as Matilda; Kevin Paul, as Mr. Wormwood; Morgan Stubbe-Fearnow, as Mrs. Wormwood; Chris Lewis, as Rudolpho/Escapologist; and Quessa Brown, as Ms. Phelps.
Josh Martin is directing and is assisted by music director, Barbara Full; choreographer, Morgan Parsons; assistant directors, Ashley Fluharty and Gwen Sour; costumers, Betty Dotson and Rachel Martin; production assistant Rachel Martin; tech director, Nathan Arnold; and advisor David Rexroad.
The show is made possible through a gracious sponsorship by Jan Dils and Family Carpet.
Matilda the Musical opens Friday, July 26 and runs through Sunday, August 11 with all shows at 8 p.m. with the exception of Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. To review the performance times and purchase your tickets, visit https://www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html.
Matilda the Musical is rated AGP-PG, which means it is suitable for general audiences, but some material may not be suitable for very young children. The rating is due to a few scenes that contain mild language and situations that may be a bit intense for younger viewers. However, these moments are handled with care and contribute to the overall uplifting message of the story. Parents are encouraged to use their discretion when bringing young children to the show.
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