Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

The cast of “Matilda The Musical JR.” pose on stage during a recent dress rehearsal at the Mueller Center. 

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HOT SPRINGS – The streets of Hot Springs will be filled by the smell of rebellion when Hot Springs High School Drama Department presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR., on Thursday and Friday March 16 and 17 at 7 pm and Saturday, March 18, at 1 pm at The Mueller Center. Tickets are $10 for General Admission and $7 for students, vets and seniors (65 and over).

Based on the beloved book “Matilda” by Roald Dahl and adapted from the award-winning full-length musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

“One of my favorite moments early on in the show is when Matilda sings, ‘Even if you are little you can do a lot’. It’s such a powerful reminder for each of us, tall and small, to take ownership in how we can create our reality,” said Drew Cohen, president and Chief Executive Officer of Music Theatre International.

“Through the process of putting on this musical, these students are doing just that: they are joining together and working hard to create this extraordinary event for their community. We think they deserve a standing ovation for all their work,” he adds. 

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. is adapted from the full-length musical which was based on the book by Roald Dahl, and features a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The show opened on the West End in 2011 and made its Broadway premiere in 2013. The musical earned seven Olivier Awards, including “Best New Musical,” and five Tony awards, including The Tony for “Best Book of a Musical.” 

Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers, lives with cruel parents who find her to be a nuisance, a lousy little worm, and a bore. When Matilda enters her first term at school, she captures the attention of Miss Honey, a kind teacher, and the two form a wonderful friendship. Unfortunately, the school is ruled by a tempestuous and mean headmistress named Miss Trunchbull, who hates children and delivers cruel and unjust punishments to all her charges. Matilda is determined to change her story, but will her cleverness and courage be enough to withstand the reign of Miss Trunchbull? 

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, 212-541-4684, mtishows.com.

Cast members include: Paetyn Van Bibber (Matilda); James Erskin (Mr. Wormwood, Dad); Mariah Stone (Mrs. Wormwood, Mom, Big Kid 2); Erin Osmotherly (Mrs. Phelps, Amanda); Genevieve Ambuul (Miss Honey, Mom); Bethany Niles (Agatha Trunchbull); Zoe Givler (Lavender, Acrobat); Kallen Kutz (Sergei, Escapologist, Dad, Big Kid 1); Senay Pulscher (Bruce, Mom); Tonah Alexander (Rudolpho, Alice); Cardar Halls (Michael, Big Kid); Lillian Russell (Hortensia, Russian, Big Kid 3); Kael Rask (Eric, Russian); Johnny Bossingham (Tommy, Russian); Zach Wilson (Nigel, Russian).

Ensemble: Soleil Stone, Autumn Bloom, Reina Wilson, Ava Kelsey, Mira Palyan, Emma Davis, Cerah Duarte

Directors: Ms. Bo Bradley (Director); Mr. Dan Van Bibber (Assistant Director); Mr. Hayes Chohon (Musical Director).