BWW JR: MATILDA

MATILDA THE MUSICAL: LEARNING ABOUT THE ELEMENTS

I sometimes get intimidated when I'm asked to write about something truly extraordinary that has affected my child in a deep way. The last experience I had like this was when I brought my daughter to see Kinky Boots. The show changed how my daughter viewed the importance of accepting people for who they are, and it was a great opportunity for me to demonstrate how Mommy believes a person should behave towards others.

A week later, my daughter's life was again transformed by Broadway when we saw the Matilda at the Shubert Theatre, the spectacular British import based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. Sometimes frightening, usually funny and always thrilling, Matilda did more than entertain, it made my daughter consider theatrical elements in a way she hadn't before.

My Young Lady and I have never before been so conscious of the voice of the director. Outlandishly creative choices throughout this interpretation of what was already an outlandish story by Roald Dahl gave us a constant sense of the director's presence. His ideas and the execution of each carried a unique stamp that made both my daughter and I feel as though we were sitting next to Matthew Warchus himself. We loved picking out various production features as each in turn had it's chance to shine as bright as the actor it surrounded....a stunt, a costume, an over the top lighting effect that takes center stage as it consumes the entire house...each of these elements had their turn in the spotlight and the result was a brand new kind of theatrical education for my nine year old and for me.

As adults, we are used to digesting the concept of sets, costumes and staging that comment on the action. As children, we accept them as atmosphere. That is until you encounter a show where all the elements are equally as impressive and important as the performances. While my daughter was certainly wowed by the ensemble of fiercely talented (and remarkably well rehearsed) kids on stage, she was also for the first time enthralled by the production values surrounding their performances. A new phase in her journey of theatrical discovery.

A word about those kids.....Oh. My. God. Hat's of to friend and casting director Norah Brennan who managed to line up what must be the most impressive array of juvenile talent ever to hit the Broadway stage. Dancing with such precision and in number after number after number, these kids, who I assume must be ages 8 through 14, never tired or let the energy drop as they attacked their individual characters' emotional journeys with precision and verve.

A note to parents: While this is definitely a family show, it's too scary for some kids. My nine year old, who is admittedly over-sensitive to loud noise and frightening situations, had to cover her ears and hold my hand on more than one occasion. Consider carefully before bringing your under-eight-year-old. And if you think he or she will be too scared, get a sitter and see it yourself because this is a show adults will enjoy just as much without kids in tow.

I've been performing at a regional theatre for the past month, and we saw Matilda on my night off. My show is not for kids, and I've been grappling with whether or not to let my daughter see it. When we left the Shubert Theatre after seeing Matilda that night, my Young Lady started asking if she could schlepp out to Long Island to the Engeman Theatre to see her mommy perform and get a sense of what happens backstage. Seeing Matilda awakened her curiosity in a new way and she became determined to find out more about what I do for a living. While I don't see my daughter being on stage in the future, I see experiences like this awakening the creator in her. So thanks, Matilda. Maybe my daughter will grow up to be a director and she can cast Mommy in something fun.

GET TO THE POINT, MOM!

• -This season's must-see Broadway event is not just for kids, it's great for an adults-only evening, too.
• -Best for kids over age 8 as the source material along with visceral special effects make it occasionally scary.
• -For more info or to purchase tickets, visit the show's website.
• -Come on, Young Lady. Mama needs a director in the family.