Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical
at Mount Vernon High School

Reviewed on April 29, 2022

Kaiya Mayhew
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

The house dims, and lights illuminate a bright blue set decorated with books. Children dance onto the stage and proudly declare themselves the "miracles" of their parents' lives, while the soon-to-be Matilda's mother reacts dismissively to learning she is nine months pregnant. In Mount Vernon High School's production of Matilda, the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the cruelty of certain adults comes to life in a performance that is simultaneously comedic and heartwarming.

Matilda the Musical is based on the book Matilda, written by Roald Dahl. It follows the story of a young girl named Matilda who is gifted with extraordinary intelligence and telekinesis. Despite her precocious abilities, the adults in Matilda's life continuously deny her the warmth and care that other five-year-old children may receive - all except her teacher, Miss Honey, who helps her unearth a mystery and take down the school's vicious headmistress.

The students of Mount Vernon High School gave this complex musical an admirable performance. The cast displayed consistent high energy and a wide range of emotion, which worked together with several clever technical aspects to make the production come to life.

Jamaya Edwards, playing Matilda Wormwood, effectively portrayed both Matilda's genius and her youth, creating a character that the audience could feel sympathy for and easily follow throughout the story. Yara Ammar and Bridget Snyder both gave captivating, powerful performances as their characters Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull, respectively. Ammar especially managed to portray an impressive range of emotions in songs like "My House" and "When I Grow Up" that effectively communicated the subtle emotional subtexts of each song.

The supporting cast contributed to numerous comical or sincere moments during the production. Mustang Johnson and Julia von Fahnestock, playing Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, portrayed their characters in lively, humorous manners that kept the audience engaged and laughing. Additionally, the ensemble captured the simplicity and innocence of childhood in the song "When I Grow Up." Keira Wankowski, cast as Bruce, gave an entertaining performance in the song "Bruce," getting a cheer out of the audience when Bruce finally finished the cake.

A number of clever technical choices contributed to this vivid production, including the use of bright primary colors in the set and the props. Sound effects and lighting were put to creative use in scenes like Bruce's burp, where a green light indicated the burp "traveling" across the room. Additionally, swings and skateboards during "When I Grow Up" and the childlike costumes from "Miracle" helped establish the theme of the musical as one that revolves around children.

The technical aspects and the strong acting of the cast tied together to produce a performance that was both humorous and touching. By the end of Mount Vernon High School's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda, the audience was cheering for Matilda as she received the happy ending she deserved.

McKenzie Phelan
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Magic, mischief, and just a bit of mayhem - this is Kindergarten like you've never seen it before! Steeped in nostalgia and full of fun, Mount Vernon High School's production of Matilda the Musical proved that sometimes, you have to be a little bit naughty.

Matilda, a musical inspired by Roald Dahl's 1988 children's novel of the same name, opened on London's West End in 2011, earning a record-setting seven Olivier Awards, including Best Musical. The show centers on Matilda Wormwood, a highly intelligent five-year-old with the power of telekinesis, whose bright mind puts her at constant odds with her considerably dull family. Finding an ally in school teacher Miss Honey, Matilda sets about using her sense of justice and newfound magical abilities to put an end to Headmistress Agatha Trunchbull's reign of terror.

Jamaya Edwards approached the role of Matilda with innocent simplicity, standing in stark contrast to the rest of the production's larger-than-life cast. Edwards performed well in solo numbers, such as "Naughty", but truly shone in her interactions with other characters, especially Yara Ammar's Miss Honey, a kindhearted Kindergarten teacher who is the first to truly recognize Matilda's brilliance. Ammar's performance was laden with subtleties, creating a character whose warmth and kindness concealed depths of self-doubt and disquiet brewing just beneath the surface. Her remarkably well-controlled vibrato in songs such as "Pathetic" served to further communicate Miss Honey's anxieties, while the crystal clarity of "My House" revealed a wellspring of inner strength.

Not to be missed was Bridget Snyder as Miss Trunchbull, a former Olympic hammer thrower who despises children almost as much as she enjoys torturing them. With an air of deliberate wickedness, Snyder seemed to take genuine delight in terrifying both her students and the audience. The show's ensemble was filled with strong dancers, who performed eye-catching choreography (created by cast member Julia Von Fahnestock) with energy and determination. Actors also made creative use of the theater's space as they used the aisles for dramatic entrances and exits throughout the performance.

The show's primary-colored set, designed by Samantha Dresch and Lukas Wankowski, was decorated with alphabet blocks and countless bookshelves, evoking a sense of whimsy and imagination. The set was brought to its fullest potential in the charming number "When I Grow Up", where actors climbed up platforms, swung on swing sets, and rollerbladed across the stage in a delightful celebration of freedom. Also notable was the props crew (Ervin Arquiza, Eva Cate Greek, Jaden Harris, and Aubrey Kocen), who embraced the musical's absurdity with the use of inventive stagecraft, including a disappearing chocolate cake, a magically tipped water jug, and a flying child.

All in all, Mount Vernon High School certainly refused to let a little thing like "little" stop them! With energy, confidence, and just a bit of magic, these students turned an unassuming production into a lively performance that audiences won't soon forget.

Elliot Baird
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

In a world where children are considered "maggots" and reading is for "idiots," how is a precocious little girl to get by? To answer that question, catch Mount Vernon High School Theatre Arts' production of Matilda the Musical.

The story of Matilda originates from Roald Dahl's 1988 children's novel, also adapted into a film in 1996 by director Danny DeVito. The musical, with book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, was first produced in 2009 by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It transferred to the West End in 2011, earning seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, and then to Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 2013, garnering five Tony Awards. It follows the story of the child-genius Matilda as she navigates the perilous worlds of both her abusive home and school.

This production was brought to life by the collaboration between the ensemble and choreographer Julia von Fahnestock. Von Fahnestock's powerful, intricate choreography created stunning texture and layers on stage, and it was executed with strength and precision by the cast. It filled the show with an electric energy that never dipped over its two and a half hours.

Jamaya Edwards' performance as Matilda brought sensitivity and groundedness to the character, with a strong stage presence not undercutting the character's undoubted sense of childishness. Yara Ammar's Miss Honey truly became the centerpiece of the show, with a delicate vibrato and heart-wrenching authenticity. Bridget Snyder as Miss Trunchbull found true fearsomeness, not in the traditional jokey faux masculinity, but instead by her own raw power of performance. Other standouts included Julia von Fahnestock's over the top comedy and remarkable dance skills as Mrs. Wormwood, Kailah Augustine's peppy sense of fun as Lavender, and Keira Wankowski's raw willingness to get messy as Bruce.

Costumes by Kailah Augustine, Emily Grinstead, Grace McCain, and Olivia Schmechel created the sense of heightened darkness that inhabits this production. Their thoughtful choice of colors greatly informed the characters, such as the pinks and yellows of the sweet Miss Honey, the dismal grays of the school children trapped in Miss Trunchbull's school, and the neons of Matilda's ludicrous family. This effect was only furthered by lighting crew heads Nicks Jimenez, Christine Johnson, Caden Mulvey, and Elizabeth Snyder. Their uses of dramatic spotlighting and blending washes of color immediately transported the production to Matilda's more magical world. Props by Ervin Arquiza, Eva Cate Greek, Jaden Harris, and Aubrey Kocen were playful, beautiful, and most importantly, functional. They facilitated impressive special effects like the disappearance of a chocolate cake and a drinking glass that could move by itself.

Mount Vernon Theatre Arts' cast and crew has created a spirited, energetic production, perfect for anyone who never quite felt like a prince or a princess in childhood.

Ellie Viana
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

How do you spell a musical with astonishing actors, clever choreography, and spectacular sets? M-A-T-I-L-D-A! That is, Mount Vernon High School's production of Matilda the Musical! Based on the Roald Dahl book named for the heroine, Matilda the Musical was first staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2010 before moving to the West End in 2011, and finally, to Broadway in 2013. Question of the day: Does Mount Vernon High School's performance add up? The answer is yes!

The first praise for this musical goes to set design. On a near professional level, it was impressive, and left the audience impressed by its whimsy. The transitions between scenes were seamless, flowing from a library to a classroom in a matter of seconds. What made these scenes captivating were the props within them. Particularly, the musical number "School Song" had large letter blocks, and when the ensemble would sing a letter, they would turn over the blocks to the corresponding letter. The lighting for this show was also astounding, as through the lighting, the story was told. For example, in the song "Bruce", the character of Bruce Bogtrotter lets out a burp after eating a chocolate cake, and the belch takes the form of a green spotlight that travels across the stage to portray its stench. The characters' personalities were reflected through impeccable costuming, as each costume fit the disposition of the roles perfectly.

Now, the technical aspects of this show were remarkable, but what about the performers? Yara Ammar as Miss Honey was fantastic. From her gorgeous voice to her dynamic acting, she was a high point of this show. Miss Trunchbull as portrayed by Bridget Snyder was frightening in the best way. Her contrast with Miss Honey was impressive, and though she is not a "traditional" Miss Trunchbull, she maintained a great stage presence and booming vocals. Of course, one cannot mention the actors without talking about the Wormwood family. All three of them had impeccable comedic timing and chemistry. Michael Wormwood, Matilda's less than bright brother, was hilarious, despite not saying very much. This was all due to actor Micheal Hodges' hysterical line delivery, as well as the ability to play off Mr. Wormwood, characterized by Mustang Johnson. The way in which Johnson delivered lines was truly side-splitting, and the improvisational skills were top notch. The song "All I Know" especially highlighted these abilities. Julia von Fahnestock, who played the "loud" Mrs. Wormwood was equally great at the comedy of her eccentric character. She shone with her wonderful dancing and through her great choreography throughout the show. Finally, Emily Grinstead, who played the librarian Mrs. Phelps, must be recognized. Although she was a minor character, she still stood out when portraying her silly but well-meaning role very well.

Overall, this show was E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T, and if you are looking for a musical just as perfect as a "miracle", then look no further than Mount Vernon High School's production of Matilda the Musical.

Sophia Pandit
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

"You chose books, I chose looks."

"Matilda," based on the beloved children's novel by Roald Dahl, follows a gifted young girl of the same name that immerses herself in said books-- and her television-obsessed family doesn't like it. To make matters worse, she must endure the wrath of her vicious school principal. But in a world where most are unwilling to recognize her talents, Matilda forms a bond with her kindergarten teacher in which they each bring out the best in one another. The musical was originally produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company in 2010, eventually beginning its U.S. run on Broadway in March of 2013. In the most spectacular way possible, Mount Vernon High School's rendition of "Matilda" provided an experience worthy of the same praise its originator received.

This holds especially true because of the performances delivered. The eponymous lead, portrayed by Jamaya Edwards, excelled at expressing Matilda's initial lack of confidence and managed to provide melodic vocals balanced with sheer power. Matilda's parents, Mr. (Mustang Johnson) and Mrs. Wormwood (Julia von Fahnestock), added even more vitality to the stage through their characterization, which became evident in each of their solos. In "All I Know," where Mr. Wormwood sings of his revered "telly," Johnson engaged in a back and forth with the audience that had them erupting in laughter and distinguished the character as more than a sleazy salesman. Mrs. Wormwood's vivacious "Loud" lived up to its name, with Von Fahnestock's smug expressions and swift turns.

Two other standouts were Ms. Honey, Matilda's teacher, and her villainous counterpart Headmistress Trunchbull. Yara Ammar exemplified the simultaneous compassion and internal defeat of Ms. Honey that Dahl intended, all the while being a stellar vocalist. With "Pathetic," Ammar succeeded in doing nervous vocal tremors without faltering, demonstrating control unlike any other. As for Miss Trunchbull, Bridget Snyder was as menacing and sharp as the hammer thrower from hell many of us trembled at in childhood. But the emotional range exhibited didn't go unnoticed; Snyder was a master at switching from unmeasurable rage to fear within seconds.

A notable feat in the technical department was the set construction, done by Samantha Dresch and Lukas Wankowski. Having been the largest Mount Vernon had built in at least the last ten years, the arch spanning the stage was coated in simple yet striking primary colors with books lining the shelves, representing Matilda's precociousness. The costumes, designed by Kailah Augustine, Emily Grinstead, Grace McCain, and Olivia Schmechel, were vital to the success of the production as well. Each of the personalized pieces, whether that be Mr. Wormwood's jazzy suit or the ensemble's tutus and animal jumpsuits in "Miracle," formed a cohesive whole in terms of establishing a specific setting and narrative. Julia von Fahnestock created and taught all the choreography in the show, a challenging task, as the dances varied from ballroom in "Loud" to the fierce fist-pumping of "The Smell of Rebellion." However, every cast member put forth the effort needed to keep in time and build intricately developed scenes, each working like a well-oiled gear in a machine.

Hilarious yet poignant, Mount Vernon's "Matilda" tells the tale of what it means to be acknowledged. Perhaps Mr. Wormwood is wrong in saying that his telly's taught him all he's learned, as it's the ones we hold near and dear to us that do.

Lazar Bozic
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Without a doubt, every last second of Matilda the Musical at Mount Vernon High School absolutely sings with childlike glee and wonder. A musical made from a classic children's novel by the acclaimed Roald Dahl, from the minute the lights went down, the audience was transported back into the bright colored and abstract books of their youth.

Based on the 1988 novel, Matilda follows the story of a young girl as she navigates a difficult life. She is accosted by abusive parents, cruel teachers, and her own growth. However, despite these obstacles, the musical is a whimsical and joyful affair that contrasts delightfully with the topics it discusses.

Portraying said young girl is Jamaya Edwards, who managed to astound with consistent and skillful vocal feats. Edwards's solo song Naughty was a truly perfect example of this, combining impressive singing with a clear motive and purpose for the song. Edwards also displayed an incredible feat of near-perfectly syncing Matilda's storytelling with another character's identical speech, a truly difficult thing to do in the chaotic world of theater. Finally, Edwards was truly skilled at portraying a meek little girl, never once breaking the illusion that the audience is looking at a child.

Supporting this brilliant performance and this brilliant child was the kind and gracious Miss Honey, played by the astoundingly skillful Yara Ammar. Miss Honey guided and helped Matilda through the story, which was perfectly portrayed by Ammar's motherly and kind acting. In the song Pathetic, Ammar's singing was just as sweet as Miss Honey's namesake, wowing the audience with the sheer emotion and passion as the song was delivered. On the opposite end, harassing and tormenting Matilda throughout the entire show was the wonderfully wicked Bridget Snyder as Miss Trunchbull. Snyder managed to portray a unique and realistic take on the classic villain and performed various torturous acts with complete glee.

Backing up these lead characters was a truly fascinating ensemble, as each actor brought their own unique touch to a classic show. Comedic beats were provided in full by Mr. Wormwood (Mustang Johnson) and Michael Wormwood (Micheal Hodges) who acted as a powerful comedy duo, interacting with the audience and easing tension from scenes that could have been downright intense without them. Powerful vocalists also brought the show forward with the Doctor (Kimani Moore) who brought a brief but chilling vocal solo in the opening number. The Escapologist (Lance Valentine) gave a sonorous performance with all the flair and feel of a golden age magician.

Finally, the show was truly steeped in a beautiful ambiance by the fully immersive tech elements used. The truly whimsical set designed by Samantha Dresch and Lukas Wankowski felt straight out of a children's story, with symmetrical wings mirroring the pages of a book and cleverly hidden tech elements. Of note were the many tunnel exits and entrances, cleverly designed to hide the backstage while still adding to the overall feel of the show. The lights done by Nicks Jimenez, Christine Johnson, Caden Mulvey, and Elizabeth Snyder helped ensure different characters had different feelings, contrasting Miss Honey's soft golden lighting with Trunchbull's sickly violent green. The effect this had on the feeling of the show further enhanced that truly childlike wonder and gave the entire musical a dreamlike glow to it.

By the end of the show one thing was clear. Nobody involved in this production had ever once lost touch with their inner child, and the audience regained some of that same connection.

Hailey Baker
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

A child with high intelligence and wit who loves to read is every parent's dream child, right? Well, every parent except for Matilda's. Mount Vernon High School's phenomenal production of Matilda the Musical explores the chaos and hardships of a dysfunctional family and a dysfunctional school, and how the love of a few kind-hearted people and some Revolting Children can make it seem not so bad.

Matilda the Musical, based on the 1988 children's book of the same name by Roald Dahl, was adapted into a stage musical with the book by Dennis Kelly, and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The musical premiered on the West End in November 2011, and eventually on Broadway in April 2013. The musical follows the story of Matilda Wormwood, a 5-year-old bookworm with telekinesis, who has parents that fail to realize how gifted she is, and would rather her focus on looks instead of books. Miss Honey, Matilda's teacher, is the only person that seems to recognize how truly intelligent Matilda is, but she lacks the confidence to stand up to Mr. Wormwood and Mrs. Wormwood, as well as the no-none sense child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

Each and every performer took on their roles with ease, making distinct character choices that were well portrayed and came across clearly to the audience.

Particularly, the contrast between Mr. Wormwood (Mustang Johnson), Mrs. Wormwood (Julia von Fahnestock), and Michael Wormwood (Micheal Hodges) was very well executed, with the family having dysfunction within themselves, but all ultimately bonding over their lack of love and appreciation for Matilda (Jamaya Edwards).

Mr. Wormwood was an ignorant and un-educated character, who fails to acknowledge or accept the fact that Matilda is a girl. Mr. Wormwood was extremely chaotic, with green hair and a failing business that the only way to save is to lie. The chaotic energy extended past the stage too, as Mr. Wormwood walked through the audience on several occasions, and frequently broke the fourth wall.

Edwards also made great character choices as Matilda, portraying the character as closed-off around her parents, but ultimately as a little girl who needed love and affection.

Thankfully, Matilda received this attention from Miss Honey (Yara Ammar), who although has a lack of confidence around adults, would do anything for Matilda and her other students. Ammar played Miss Honey with a sense of clarity and warmness, that made her students, as well as the entire audience, love her.

Miss Honey's class, as well as the older students, also did a phenomenal job, starting off both Act 1 strong with the song Miracle, and Act 2 strong with the song When I Grow up. Their energy was extremely high during both of these songs, as well as in the turning point of Revolting Children, where they finally stand up to Miss Trunchbull.

The costumes, particularly of the children were amazing, and truly brought their characters to life. The children had an array of different costumes, ranging from school uniforms to princess dresses and dinosaur costumes.

The set was also incredible, with giant blocks across the top of the stage spelling out Matilda, and conveying the youthfulness of a school's classroom. There was also a white board incorporated into the set that used technology to change the words, in a very realistic manner.

Furthermore, the orchestra was on their A-game the entire show, atop the stage, on the set. The music was truly the highlight of the show.

Ultimately, Matilda was an amazing show that Mount Vernon did an amazing job performing.

Aidan Furey
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

Often some of the best theatrical experiences involve difficult and even dark themes. Telling a realistic story is essential to good theater, and this inevitably means addressing a conflict of some sort. For their part, the students at Mount Vernon High School went with one of these darker shows in their production of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical.

The musical, which originally premiered in November of 2010, spends a lot of time detailing the childhood trauma endured by the main character, Matilda. A misunderstood girl, Matilda is remarkably intelligent yet not accepted by many of the adults in her life. Adapting this tale for a high school performance is certainly no small feat, but Mount Vernon's students were clearly up to the challenge.

Matilda's technical elements proved to be nothing short of spectacular. The show had diverse lighting, with different shades signifying different emotional states of characters. Dull, dim lighting frequently helped to create a sense of tension, while green, red, and blue lights illuminated the characters in Matilda's thoughts and set them apart from the rest of the cast. The stage crew efficiently moved pieces and made for very little delay in between scenes, helping to keep the show quick and engaging. A beautiful but simplistic set served as everything from a library to a living room, with only small changes needed to reshape the generally static background.

Although the entire cast truly performed spectacularly, the show would be nothing without Matilda (Jamaya Edwards.) Edwards delivered a show-stopping interpretation of the character, with an unapologetically kind and enthusiastic mindset that shone through during songs such as "Miracle" and "When I Grow Up." The Wormwoods, played by Julia von Fahnestock, Mustang Johnson, and Micheal Hodges, brought impeccable comedic timing to the stage and some much-needed laughter during a show with darker moments at times. Miss Trunchbull (Bridget Snyder) served as an evil headmistress, making effective character choices that resulted in an outright menacing figure on stage. Combined with some well-timed comedic moments, this was one of the show's best performances. Miss Honey (Yara Ammar) was perhaps "Matilda's" most stand-out vocalist, singing an incredibly emotional rendition of "My House" that featured deep, rich vocals and an astounding range.

The show's ensemble performed fluidly together, making group numbers polished and quite enjoyable to watch. Ensemble members ran through the audience, danced their hearts out on stage, and sang with passion for extended periods of time. Without an engaged and enthusiastic ensemble, the show would not have been nearly as hard hitting, and the entire cast's efforts are best realized as a whole.

Hair, makeup, and costuming were other elements of the show that shone throughout the production. These aspects were clearly considered as a whole in order to better exemplify the characters, and every choice, no matter how small, added something meaningful. Simple elements, such as hairstyles, conveyed maturity, while uniforms set students apart from adults and made clear the divide between the two groups.

Performing on stage is never an easy feat, especially after three years without a main-stage musical at Mount Vernon. The devotion put into this production by every single member of the cast and crew was palpable and they have accomplished something remarkable with Matilda the Musical.