Review: 'Matilda' by Landmark Community Theatre

Dedicated to Ruth M. Sasso, who chose MATILDA for one of our Broadway trips, and always believed that “even if you’re little you can do a lot.”

Thomaston, CT - The Landmark Community Theatre production of Roald Dahl’s MATILDA THE MUSICAL that runs as the Thomaston Opera House through July 27 is not to be missed, not by children that are the title character’s age, nor by the adults who love them, and even by those who have seen the musical on Broadway. You will not be disappointed with anything about this production under the direction of Ian Diedrich, who worked with his wife Emily as choreographer. Mrs. Deidrich also wrote the program bios for the both of them, as she often does.

“Matilda is a story of personal triumph. It gives us a new interpretation of the word ‘family’ and reminds us that we can write our own stories. The stage adaption of the book brings all of that and more to life.” - Ian Diedrich, Director

MATILDA features a book by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. Orchestrations and additional music were written by Chris Nightingale. I was unaware that the musical was first commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It premiered in the US at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway with Van Dean, the president of Broadway records, as one of the producers.

Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich met in the first grade next door to my classroom at Maple Hill Elementary School in Naugatuck. I mention that because it quickly became apparent to me that the couple has a penchant for working with the youngest of (seasoned) performers. While many of the children have extensive credits at this point in their careers on the stage, they are still children. It can be challenging to wrangle them all into their places, but it was clear that the young performers were extremely well-rehearsed and ready for their performance. The director created some wonderful stage pictures throughout the two acts. Kudos to this terrific husband and wife team on a job very well done.

The alphabet-inspired set was designed by Mr. Diedrich and Keith Winnegar and spread out with raised platforms above both sides of the small stage. The well-oiled crew worked well together to move in and out all of the interesting set pieces.

Meghan Pratt brought a Broadway quality to her performance of the demanding title role. Ms. Pratt, a ten-year-old from South Glastonbury, made her TOH debut in this role; at her young age, she has appeared as Nipper in OLIVER at the Goodspeed, Daisy Armstrong in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and as a schoolboy in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Hartford Stage.

The other truly talented children included Jake Totten (CHRISTMAS CAROL at Hartford Stage) of Granby in his LCT debut as Bruce, Aiden Cincotta as Nigel in his Landmark debut, 10-year-old dancer Jeremy Bennett as Tommy in his first musical, Sophia Sedlak as Hortensia, Addison Guarino as Erica in her TOH debut, WAMS student Aubrae Oporto (NEWSIES at the Warner) as Amanda and WAMS 9th grader Raelin Oporto (NEWSIES) as Alice. The young ensemble was made up of Frances DiModugno (a BSCT alum,) Louis DeModugno (another alum of BSCT,) Jewell Hearon, Grace Henderson, the MD’s daughter Wynne Lewis, Riley Mahon, Brianna Ortiz, Phoebe Seppa, Katie Seppa and Colin Soto (OLIVER at Goodspeed.) Watch for Jewell Hearon, who played James Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER and Capt. Walker in THE WHO’S TOMMY, as St. Jimmy in AMERICAN IDIOT.

According to the director and his program bio, Jason Michael came out of nowhere to take on the role of the evil Ms. Trunchbull. I distinctly remember the actor who played the role on Broadway loudly stomping through the audience on thick-heeled boots for each entrance, enhancing the fear caused by the character. Kudos to this actor on an appropriately terrifying performance.

Katie Brunetto (SPRING AWAKENING, ROCK OF AGES at the Warner and the title role of MARY POPPINS with Landmark) in the role of Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda’s clueless mother, was a riot in a sky-high blonde wig, tight costumes and plenty of Cockney accent. I couldn’t help but smile every time she entered the TOH stage.

Blaise DiModugno accepted the role of Matilda’s equally awful father and gave it his all in his TOH debut. Mr. DiModugno is a current UConn student and played General Genghis Khan Schmitz in the BSCT production of SEUSSICAL a few years back.

Erin Shaughnessy (Alais Capet in THE LION IN WINTER at TBTA) was the perfect choice for the role of Matilda’s first teacher Miss Honey. In her Landmark mainstage debut, she played the caring educator beautifully and sang so well her solo “Home.”

Olivia Jansen managed to shine in her role of Matilda’s friend Lavender in her first LCT production. Isabella (Bella) Seery, a 14-year-old from Bristol, played the couch potato that is Matilda’s brother Michael.

I remembered Cheyenne Walent from her role as Rona Lisa in Phoenix Stage Company’s SPELLING BEE; when not on the stage, Ms. Walent teaches 4th grade “anklebiters.” She had the acting and singing chops to make the most of the supporting roles of a doctor in the opening scene and Mrs. Phelps, the librarian who appreciates the special nature of young Matilda and loves to hear her stories.

Stephen Sedlak, who returned to the opera house after thirteen years, sang well as the escapologist and Sergi, the role in which he briefly carried onstage his very own daughter Sophia. Katie Robidoux, a teacher at Jonathan Law HS in Milford, played well the lovely acrobat and was also a featured dancer.

The talented dancer Zachary Taylor (A CHORUS LINE, WE WILL ROCK YOU with Landmark, Crutchie in NEWSIES and Jake in DISASTER at the Warner) owned his role of Rudolpho, the “Loud” dancer who partners with Mrs. Wormwood. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Brunetto, both wonderful dancers, looked like they were having the time of their lives during their scenes together.

Jeffrey P. Dunn is the Executive Director who secured the rights to MATILDA very quickly and Andrea Bingham was the Production Manager. Sean Lewis, the director of music at Holy Cross HS, was the fine Music Director and Mrs. Diedrich invented the marvelous choreography, that the young dancers embraced with vigor, especially for “Revolting Children;” Laura Busk was Assistant Choreographer. Mrs. Diedrich also served as costume designer of much more than the requisite school uniform, and everything worked. Mr. Diedrich made time to design the effective lighting, most lovely for the number “Quiet.”

In the orchestra (in another room at the Opera House) was Mr. Lewis on keyboard 2, Chris Dabbo on keyboard 1, Joe DeMilio on guitar, Paul Bilodeau and Josh Jackson on bass, Dave Wilson on drums, Bob Delagrange on trumpet, Scott Friend on trumpet, Scott Minnerly on trombone, John Christie on reed 1 and Alexa Lewis on reed 2.

It was good to see lots of young people in the matinee audience, for this is the perfect summer family show. I thoroughly enjoyed this community theatre production of the musical that I had experienced on Broadway with my late aunt. Be forewarned that it may be a bit difficult to understand the lines in the British accents, but it gets easier. Don’t miss this outstanding production in nearby Thomaston at an affordable ticket price.

All photos by Lisa Cherie Photography

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

Click here to read about Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis.