Matilda recaptures inner youth and passion of family audiences

The Matilda ensemble takes the stage with colorful symbols of childhood wonder that are representative of the show’s themes.
The Matilda ensemble takes the stage with colorful symbols of childhood wonder that are representative of the show’s themes.

Matilda the Musical made a pit stop on its national tour at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House in Washington, D.C. Originally presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company in England, the tour launched May 29, 2015 and runs at the Kennedy Center from Dec. 15 to Jan. 10.

Winner of 50 international awards including four Tonys and recognized as Time magazine’s best show of the year, the show’s charming and magical performance was elevated by original songs and experimentation with whimsy and adolescent experiences.

Matilda is the story of a young five-year-old girl who grew up in a cruel and insensitive home. In search of a place to escape to, she finds herself comforted by the world of books, and ventures to the library frequently to tell stories to the librarians. She lives in the world of words and knowledge and uses what she learns from her books and fantasies to bring justice to her abusive school, and is eventually adopted into a loving home by her teacher, Miss Honey.

Pulling its inspiration from the childhood tales of Roald Dahl, the musical encapsulated symbols of youth and freedom. Images such as swings, slides, balloons and confetti frequented the stage, and the witty language featured descriptions of children as “revolting” or “maggots.” Dancers on large alphabet blocks and a backdrop made up entirely of letters created a schoolchild atmosphere. A large portion of the show occurred in the library, where Matilda shared tales of love and adventure, and the storytelling format of the show became clear. Using shadows and dancers, the actors brought Matilda’s stories to life.

The costumes encompassed spunk and rebellion, and the children’s choreography was powerful and done with purpose. These artistic choices gave the younger characters strength as a united force, and left the audience feeling empowered. When the cast entered for bows, they rode in on neon scooters as they sang the song “When I Grow Up,” closing the show with words of nostalgia and dreams.

All things considered, I highly recommend that you take an evening off and head to the Kennedy Center to rediscover your inner revolting child with Matilda the Musical.