MATILDA: THE MUSICAL REVIEW - RISING ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

By Kathy Carpenter
December 6, 2019 (San Diego) - Take a break from everything Christmas. Star Repertory Theatre of Escondido presents Roald Dahl's Matilda: the Musical--fun family entertainment during the holiday season. This performance has cute kids and talented leads.
The musical is directed by Scott Kolod with choreography by Kevin Blax Burroughs. The musical director is Benjamin Goniea.
Boy, did this creative team have their work cut out for them: three different casts of 25 main people and over 30 in the ensemble.
Matilda is the story of a little girl who was not wanted. Her mother resented the fact she was born on the day that her mother was supposed to be in a salsa competition. Her dad wanted a boy. They treated her horribly. Her dad called her boy; her mom belittled her every achievement.
Matilda is an extraordinary little girl, smart with psychokinetic powers. Matilda displays an active imagination and a personality that wins over her teacher, Miss Honey, who does everything in her power to help Matilda. However, Matilda is also tortured by Mrs. Trunchbull, the headmistress.
The show I attended was the naughty cast. Morgon Marlow captivated the audience’s hearts as Matilda the mistreated. Her parents were played by Damian Sagastrume and Natalie Lusitana. I can't imagine anyone better; these two rocked. They were funny and incredible. Delaney Dietrich, playing Miss Honey, had the best voice, as sweet as honey. Jasmine Papazian was cute as a button as Lavender. Sophia Nou made a perfect librarian. Ryan Burtanog proved an obvious audience favorite as the horrid Mrs.Trunchbull--kudos for a tremendous job. The ensemble did their job as enthusiastic, cute kids.
The show opened with a cute number with babies in the nursery. Whoever was behind the box idea very ingenious. Matilda and her parents did a fabulous job with the English accents.
Fun costumes, with a family living room, and schoolroom set added to the ambience. There is also a second story, which is done extremely well, that serves as a library on one side and the headmistress's office on the other.
The show is extremely family oriented and of course, since they are performing downtown at the Lyceum, a fair distance from Escondido, could use your support.
Matilda: The Musical
November 30 - December 8
Lyceum Theatre
Downtown San Diego
Buy tickets on Lyceum website