ZACH Theatre Names Cast for ‘Matilda’

ZACH Theatre has announced the cast for the Austin premiere of the Tony Award-winning hit, Matilda The Musical, running April 3 – May 12, 2019 in The Topfer. Based on the much-loved children’s book by Roald Dahl, featuring music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and a Tony Award-winning book by Dennis Kelly, ZACH’s Associate Artistic Director Abe Reybold and Director of Education Nat Miller will co-direct this riotously uplifting musical that will make audiences of all generations burst with joy.

“Matilda celebrates the power of the imagination and the courage it takes to take a stand,” Reybold said, explaining why co-directing with Nat Miller (Director of Education) is important to him. “We are thrilled to be working with a marvelous design team, 30 talented students from ZACH’s Pre-Professional programs and classes along with seasoned local actors participating together in one of the largest and most exciting productions in ZACH’s recent history. Matilda will be performing several school shows over its run giving more than 5,000 local students the opportunity to experience a production from ZACH’s Mainstage Season.”

For those unfamiliar, Matilda is an extraordinary little girl who dares to take a stand and change her destiny. When she’s finally had enough of her unscrupulous parents and tyrannical headmistress, she enlists the help of her friends — and favorite teacher Miss Honey — and bravely takes matters into her own hands to become the biggest little hero. Matilda is sure to delight and empower audiences of all generations.

"I am very excited about giving school groups the ability to see matinees of one our Mainstage shows, ensuring that all kids have access to the Topfer no matter their economic background,” Director of Education Nat Miller states. “This helps us keep our promise that we turn no child away and are fully committed to arts education in central Texas. I’m also thrilled that so many of our students will be featured in this show as it will showcase the incredible Pre-Professional Company as one of the top musical-training programs in the country. The development of this young talent is a huge testament to Jen Young and Josh Weschler and the program they have built."

The title role of Matilda will be shared by the talents of Chloe Van de Graaf and Alexa Nelan as Matilda, and  will also star J. Robert Moore as terror headmistress, Miss Trunchbull and Laura Lyman Payne as Matilda’s caring teacher, Miss Honey.

When: April 3 – May 12, 2019
Where: The Topfer at ZACH
Tickets: Start at $25 at zachtheatre.org
Age Recommendation: 6 and up
Run time: Two hours and 30 minutes including one intermission.

CAST

• J. Robert Moore – Miss Trunchbull

• Laura Lyman Payne – Miss Honey/Mum

• Sara Burke – Mrs. Wormwood

• André Martin – Mr. Wormwood

• Tyler Jones – The Escapologist/Henchmen #2/Dad

• Paul Sanchez – Doctor/Sergei/Cook

• Ernest Sauceda – Rudolpho/Dad/Dance Captain

• Lara Wright – Mrs. Phelps/Mum

• Ebony Crichlow – Acrobat/Mum/Henchmen #4

• Ben Gibson – Counsler (aka Party Entertainer)/Henchmen #1

• Jaukeem Balcom – Dad/Henchmen #3

• Chloe Van De Graaf – Matilda

• Alexa Nelan – Matilda

• Will May – Bruce

• Wilkes Goodner – Bruce

• Sloane Johnson – Lavender

• Blakeney Mahlsteadt – Lavender

• Logan Marcum – Nigel

• Ryan Gu – Nigel

• Paige Riley – Amanda

• Stella Blue Frye-Ginsberg – Amanda

• Bruce Bowen – Eric

• Cameron Redwine – Eric

• Alysa Spiro – Alice

• Samantha Beam – Alice

• Mariela Denson – Hortensia

• Eli Grace Hodges – Hortensia

• Beatrix McDaniel – Tommie

• Ella Rutman – Tommie

• Jack Weaver – Michael Wormwood/Ensemble

• Breckin Murphy – Michael Wormwood/Ensemble

• Mercy Bovik – Ensemble

• Camryn Lamontagne – Ensemble

• Zoe Parkinson – Ensemble

• Austin Dunn – Ensemble

• Carli Vinciguerra – Ensemble

• Owen Scales – Ensemble

• Anderson Zoll – Ensemble

• Alexa Grace Godwin – Swing

• Araya Feeney – Swing

• Claire Sarman – U/S Miss Honey

PRODUCTION TEAM

• Abe Reybold – Director

• Nat Miller – Director

• Allen Robertson – Music Director

• Jen Young – Choreographer

• Michelle Ney – Scenic Designer

• Stephanie Busing – Projection Designer

• Susan Branch Towne – Costume Designer

• Serret Jensen – Hair and Makeup Designer

• Matt Webb – Lighting Designer

• Craig Brock – Sound Designer

• Scott Groh – Properties Designer

• Amanda Cooley Davis – Dialect Coach

• Catherine Anne Tucker – Stage Manager

• Megan Cathleen Smith – Assistant Stage Manager

• Kat Kennedy – Assistant Stage Manager