Roald Dahl's beloved children's book about a precocious bookworm with magical powers opened on Broadway April 11 at the Shubert Theatre after enchanting London audiences. A London cast album preserves the original U.K. company.
Matilda earned four Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actor (Gabriel Ebert), Best Lighting Design and Best Scenic Design.
The original Broadway cast album will be produced by Michael Croiter and Christopher Nightingale. It will first be available at the Shubert Theatre beginning Sept. 27. It will then be released digitally and in stores Oct. 22. It is currently available for pre-order at BroadwayRecords.com. Many other theatre recordings are also available at PlaybillStore.com.
Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, The Norman Conquests, Boeing-Boeing, La Bête, Ghost) staged the inventive, kid-packed musical that has a book by Dennis Kelly and a score by Tim Minchin. Previews began March 4.
The cast currently features original West End star Bertie Carvel, who earned an Olivier Award for his portrayal of the malicious, pigtail-hating Miss Trunchbull. The Broadway cast also stars young actresses Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, who share the title role.
Read critics reviews of Matilda here.
The Broadway principal company also features Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Zorro; Kiss, Me Kate) as Miss Wormwood, Gabriel Ebert (4000 Miles) as Mr. Wormwood, original London cast member Lauren Ward (Follies, Violet) as Miss Honey and veteran Chicago actress Karen Aldridge ("Boss," "Chicago Fire") as Mrs. Phelps. Young British actor Ted Wilson from the original London cast of Matilda repeats his work as schoolmate Eric in the Broadway production.
The Matilda ensemble includes Frenie Acoba, Erica Barnett, Judah Bellamy, Jack Broderick, Ava DeMary, John Arthur Greene, Emma Howard, Nadine Isenegger, Colin Israel, Thayne Jasperson, Luke Mannikus, Madilyn Morrow, Sawyer Nunes, Jared Parker, Celia Mei Rubin, John Sanders, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Phillip Spaeth, Ryan Steele, Betsy Struxness, Samantha Sturm, Heather Tepe, Ben Thompson, Clay Thomson, Taylor Trensch and Beatrice Tulchin.
According to producers, Matilda "is the story of an extraordinary little girl who decides that despite a bad beginning filled with rotten parents, a terrifying school and a vicious head mistress, her story is going to be an astonishing one. With the help of her teacher, her friends and a little bit of imagination, Matilda proves that even if you're little, you can do big things."
The production has set and costume design by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Simon Baker.
For tickets go to Telecharge.com. The Shubert Theatre is located at 235 West 44th Street.
Visit MatildaTheMusical.com.
