STAGE TUBE: MATILDA's Bertie Carvel Introduces 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee

MATILDA THE MUSICAL was featured on ESPN this week when the Broadway hit collaborated with the Scripps National Spelling Bee to celebrate the power of words, learning and education. The 86th Annual Bee opened with a segment shot on stage at the Shubert Theatre featuring a monologue penned by the show's Tony Award nominated book writer Dennis Kelly and performed by Tony Award nominated Bertie Carvel as the terrifying Miss Trunchbull. Watch it below!

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's largest and longest-running educational program. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all of their lives. The 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee featured 281 champion spellers, ranging in age from eight to 14.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL opened last month and has received 12 Tony Award nominations including one for Best Musical; each of the four girls sharing the title role will receive a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater. Matilda The Musical is also the recipient of five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

Winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, Matilda The Musical is more than a show, it's a phenomenon. Based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox), Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

Produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers, Matilda The Musical is directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage), who helms this exhilarating and ingenious production with a book by playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin.

The production has sets and costumes by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, and sound by Simon Baker. Tickets are available at www.telecharge.com.

For more about MATILDA, visit: www.matildathemusical.com.