News Release
Warsaw — The magic of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale, “Matilda,” will come to life on stage at the Warsaw Community High School’s Performing Arts Center March 15-17.
Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting warsawschools.org/pac or by calling (574) 371-5040. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Warsaw High School Theatre Department production features two separate casts, the “Telly” cast and the “Book” cast. Showtimes specific to each cast are listed on the website.
A special VIP add-on package is available for select performances for $10, with one accompanying adult ticket for free. The VIP experience includes a backstage tour with Matilda, Trunchbull, Miss Honey, and many more characters from the show. VIP ticket holders will be treated to the magic up close and get to meet the characters that will bring this story to life.
Photo opportunities, a signed poster from the cast, and the potential opportunity to learn some of the show’s choreography are also included.
“Matilda,” with its whimsical storytelling and unforgettable musical score, is the third production in a series of theatrical stagings by the Warsaw High School Theatre Department.
Directed by theater teacher Melany Morris, the production will showcase the incredible talent of Warsaw’s young performers, bringing the iconic characters of Matilda, Miss Trunchbull, and Miss Honey to life with impeccable precision and boundless enthusiasm.
The musical, based on Dahl’s classic children’s novel, follows the story of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and telekinetic powers, as she navigates the challenges of her dysfunctional family and the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, at Crunchem Hall Primary School.
From the moment the curtain rises, audiences will be transported into Matilda’s world, thanks to elaborate set design, creative use of props that recreated the charming streets of Matilda’s hometown and the imposing halls of Crunchem Hall School, and spectacular special effects.
Leading the cast are Ally Trolinger (Junior) and Aubrey Harp (Senior) as the fearless and determined Matilda. Opposite Trolinger and Harp are Brandon Leeka (Junior) and Joel Montoya (Senior) in the role of the menacing Miss Trunchbull. Their performance will surely send shivers down the audience’s spine.
Seniors Layla Barker and Emma Ferguson play the role of Mrs. Wormwood. They’ve been in drama for four years and worked closely on other plays.
“Layla and me have been doubles before. We were doubles in Spongebob,” Ferguson said. “We both like to play the crazy character that kind of all over the place (and) have big moments in the show.”
“It’s just so fun to play and to see the audience’s reaction is something you never forget,” she said.
Supporting performances from the talented ensemble cast will help bolster the production and leave audiences with moments of joy, playful fear, childlike whimsy, and opportunities to hum along to a memorable musical score.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of student crew members has been working tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the production runs smoothly, from lighting and sound to costume changes and set transitions.
For those who missed the opportunity to experience the magic of “Matilda,” there will be one final chance to catch the show, with performances scheduled at the Warsaw Community High School’s Performing Arts Center on March 15th, 16th, and 17th. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door, but they are selling fast, so be sure to reserve your seat soon for this unforgettable theatrical experience.
