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 is produced by Michael Croiter and Christopher Nightingale. Hard copies of the album will first be available at the Shubert Theatre beginning Sept. 27. It will then be released in stores Oct. 22.
Many other theatre recordings are also available at PlaybillStore.com.
The cast album features original West End star Bertie Carvel, who earned an Olivier Award for his portrayal of the malicious, pigtail-hating Miss Trunchbull. Also featured on the album are actresses Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, who share the title role. Each actress is featured as Matilda on her own track throughout the album. 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.
Read critics reviews of Matilda here.
The album 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.
Two versions of the album are available. The standard edition contains 24 tracks, including three tracks of Matilda's stories (never previously recorded). The Deluxe Edition contains everything in the standard edition plus two additional exclusive tracks: "Perhaps A Child" (a song cut early in the development process) and a version of "Naughty" sung together by all 4 of Broadway's Matildas.
The track list (with Matildas indicated) follows:
Overture
Miracle: Part 1
Miracle: Part 2
Miracle: Part 3
Naughty [Sophia Gennusa]
School Song
Pathetic
The Hammer
The Chokey Chant
Loud
This Little Girl
Bruce
Telly
When I Grow Up [Lauren Ward and Bailey Ryon]
I'm Here (Story 4) [Oona Laurence and Ben Thompson]
The Smell of Rebellion
Quiet [Milly Shapiro]
My House
Chalk Writing
Revolting Children
When I Grow Up/Naughty (Reprise)
Story 1: Once Upon a Time? (Bonus Track) [Milly Shapiro]
Story 2: The Great Day Arrived? (Bonus Track) [Oona Laurence]
Story 3: The Trick Started Well? (Bonus Track) [Bailey Ryon]
Deluxe Edition Only Bonus Tracks
Perhaps A Child
Naughty (sung by all four Broadway Matildas)
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.
Check out Playbill.com's highlights from Matilda:
