Ridge High School's Musical 'Matilda' To Hit The Stage This Week

By Ridge HS Student Max Rodriguez

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The students of the award-winning Ridge High School Drama Club are rehearsing diligently as they prepare to present their spring production of Tim Minchin’s beloved musical, “Matilda” at the Ridge Performing Arts Center this March.

Directed by Martha Harvey, with music direction by Carol Beadle and choreography by Rachel Miranda and Jennifer DiGiuseppe, “Matilda” is a whimsical, exciting tale of one little girl’s power to change her own story and the stories of all those whose lives she touches.

In a world filled with “miracle” children, Matilda Wormwood is treated as quite the opposite. A lover of books and learning, she is indiscriminately tormented by her abusive, obtuse parents. But things only get worse when she arrives at school for the first time where, despite finding solace in the like-minded, nurturing teacher, Miss Honey, she faces the tyrannical reign of Headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, a ruthless Olympic Class Hammer thrower who believes that all “children are maggots.” To protect her peers, put things right, and change the course of her life, Matilda learns how to stand up for what she believes in.

Filled with thrilling songs, breathtaking choreography, and a heartwarming story, “Matilda” is sure to delight the whole family.

To transport audiences from a classroom to a children’s playground to a gargantuan library, Jason Stewart, Dallas Harvey, and Bonne Grube have led the stage, tech, and costume crews to achieve dazzling feats of stagecraft. They have worked tirelessly with their respective student crews to make the fantastical world of Roald Dahl come to life for audiences.

This year, the Drama Club welcomed back a live orchestra, with students under the direction of Jennifer Curran making the catchy tunes and touching ballads soar. Another exciting addition is the inclusion of a group of elementary and middle school students in the production playing “little kids.” This district-wide involvement sought to bring younger thespians into the magical process of staging a musical on the PAC stage.

“Matilda” can be enjoyed on Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 pm, Friday, March 4 at 7 pm, Saturday March 5 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday, March 6 at 2 pm at the Ridge Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. Seating is limited, general admission, and all tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, go to ridgepac.bernardsboe.com.