STAGE TUBE: Meet the Cast of MATILDA THE MUSICAL; Begins Previews Tonight!

MATILDA THE MUSICAL, produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers, will begin previews tonight, March 4 and open on April 11, 2013 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street). Meet the company of the new musical with videos of them from past productions and roles below!

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.

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.

Sophia Gennusa (MATILDA)- She has appeared in the last six productions of The Nutcracker at Purchase College, Conservatory of Dance. Sophia is honored to be playing a role beyond her dreams! So grateful to Mom, Dad, dearest family and friends for the endless love and support.

Oona Laurence (MATILDA)- Broadway debut. A native New Yorker, she appeared onstage inWoody Guthrie Dreams, Seussical, Scout in Mockingbird, audience award for Cosmic Fruit Bowl. Film/TV: Penny Dreadful, Days Dance, Esther, Louie, A Little Game. "Even if you're little you can do a lot!" Amazing thanks to my family, Harkness Dance Center, Kim Pedell and David Doan!

Bailey Ryon (MATILDA)- National tour: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Cindy Lou). Regional:Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Fulton Opera House). Thanks/love: cast and creative team!; John Shea; EMC; siblings Madison, Michael, Mason and Ethan; grandparents; Mr. Mike; and Mom!

Milly Shapiro (MATILDA)- Broadway debut. Delighted to bring her favorite Roald Dahl character to life. An "Ambassador of Storytelling," Milly shares Matilda's "other worlds" journey through her love of reading. Regional: Annie, Young Cossette, Baby June. Special thanks: Mom, Dad, Abigail, family; Ms. Cynthia; Deborah, Ray, Heather; managers Bobbie and Deborah/The Entertainment Group.

Bertie Carvel (MISS TRUNCHBULL)- Bertie Carvel is proud to be making his Broadway debut. Elsewhere, his work in theatre includes the original production of Matilda in Stratfordupon- Avon and London (Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical); Damned By Despair, The Man of Mode, The Life of Galileo and Coram Boy at The National Theatre; Doctor Dee (Manchester International Festival); Rope (Almeida); The Pride(Royal Court) and Parade (Donmar Warehouse, Olivier Award nomination). TV includes "Restless," "Hidden," "The Crimson Petal and the White," "Just William," "Sherlock," "Doctor Who" and "Hawking." Films include LES MISERABLES. He trained at RADA.

Gabriel Ebert (MR. WORMWOOD)- Broadway credits: Brief Encounter, by Noël Coward adapted and directed by Kneehigh Theatre's Emma Rice; Red, directed by Michael Grandage. He is the recipient of Juilliard's Robin Williams Scholarship and John Houseman Award. Other credits include the Roundabout's Suicide Incorporated,dir. John Berry; the Public's The Sacrifices, dir. Sam Gold; ART's Prometheus Bound, dir. Diane Paulus. He received an Obie for his performance in Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles, dir. Daniel Aukin at the Duke Theater and Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater. TV: CBS' short lived "Made in Jersey." His most exciting theatrical adventure was playing Konstantin in a site-specific Seagull at a lake in upstate New York, directed by Brian Mertes.

Lesli Margherita (MRS. WORMWOOD)- Broadway debut! She received the Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Zorro the Musical in London's West End. A California native, her national tour/regional credits include Kiss Me, Kate; Show Boat; Man of La Mancha; The Grönholm Method; Little Shop of Horrors; Spamalot; Grease;Aida; West Side Story; See What I Wanna See...you get it. TV/film: "Major Crimes," "The Suite Life," "Fame L.A.," "NYPD Blue," "Charmed," The Number 23, Boogeyman 2...yada yada. Her nightclub act All Hail the Queen continues to play to soldout crowds in NY/LA For her parents, who are nothing like the Wormwoods. @queenlesli, leslimargherita.com.

Lauren Ward (MISS HONEY)- London: Matilda, The Sound of Music, The Philadelphia Story, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Camelot, The Winter's Tale, Pericles, The Vagina Monologues, DuBarry Was a Lady, Elegies. Broadway: Follies, 1776, The Heiress, Carousel. Off-Broadway: The New Moon, Carousel (Carnegie Hall),Saturday Night, Wise Guys, Jack's Holiday, Violet (Drama Desk nomination, Drama-Logue Award, Theatre World Award). Regional: Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Rough Crossing, The Glass Menagerie, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, She Stoops to Conquer, Royal Family, Tartuffe. Film/TV: "The Last Days of Lehman Brothers," "A Touch of Frost," "Torchwood," "Law & Order: SVU," Joe Gould's Secret, Story of Bad Boy, "Broken News."

Karen Aldridge (MRS. PHELPS)- Played Dr. Ella Harris on the STARZ! series "Boss." Other recent credits include NBC's "Chicago Fire" and Ron Howard's The Dilemma. She played the role of Matilda in the international tour of Le Costumedirected by Peter Brook. Karen has starred in productions at Chicago's most prestigious theatres, such as the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. She is making her Broadway debut.

JOHN Arthur GreenE (U/S MR. WORMWOOD)- Riff in West Side Story (Broadway); Luke in Mim (Off-Broadway); Jonathan in tick, tick...BOOM! (L.A.); Between Time & Timbuktu (L.A., DreamWorks); White Noise (Chicago), West Side Story (European tour), just to name a few. Thanks be to God, my amazing wife, my wonderful family and agent for their never-ending love and support! Dream so that you can be. www.johnarthurgreene.com

Nadine Isenegger (SWING)- Broadway: Pal Joey (Val); A Chorus Line (Lois/Cassie, u/s Val); 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer); Kiss Me, Kate; Follies; Cats (Victoria). National tours: 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Titanic, Fame (Iris). Regional: The Jack Cole Project, The Rocky Horror Show (Columbia), White Christmas (Judy), Damn Yankees (Lola). Film/TV: "Smash," SATC2, numerous Woody Allen films and soap operas.

Colin Israel (SWING)- Broadway debut! National tour: High School Musical. Vegas: Mamma Mia! Regional: Barrington Stage Company, Virginia Stage Company, Ogunquit Playhouse, Arvada Center, Casa Mañana, MT Wichita. Thanks to Meg Pantera, Michael Pesce and all my dear friends and family. Mom and Dad: YOU'RE a miracle. Love and NYC!

Tamika Sonja Lawrence (U/S PHELPS/ WORMWOOD)- Broadway: The Book of Mormon. Off-Broadway: Rent. Television: "Law & Order: SVU," "Regis and Kelly." Regional: To Kill a Mockingbird, Hair, Ain't Misbehavin' (Arizona Theatre Company). A multitude of thanks to the Most High for the opportunity to do what I love everyday. For Grandpa.f

Celia Mei Rubin (SWING)- NYC: Oklahoma! (Acorn Theatre, dir. Baayork Lee), The Great Unknown (Theatre at St. Clements). London: Parade OLC (Donmar Warehouse, dir. Rob Ashford), Joseph...Dreamcoat (New London Theat re) , Candide (London Col i seum) . Thanks : DDO Artists Agency. Gratitude: Peter Darling and Ellen Kane. Love: Mom, Dad and Joyce. www.celiameirubin.com

John Sanders (SERGEI)- Broadway: Peterand the Starcatcher. National tour: Sam in Mamma Mia! Chicago theatre: The Real Thing, A Minister's Wife (Writers');Spamalot, Miss Saigon (Drury Lane Oakbrook); and with Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Stage Left, Chicago Dramatists and other fine companies. Film: No God, No Master; Alleged. TV: "Last Man Standing."

Phillip Spaeth (RUDOLPHO)- Played Dennis on season 1 of the NBC series "Smash". He has appeared on Broadway in West Side Story, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Wicked. Other credits include "Gossip Girl," "Royal Pains" and as Fender in the musical feature film Hairspray. For JPR. @PhillipSpaeth

Ryan Steele (ENSEMBLE)- Feeling super fortunate to be a part of this company. Broadway:Newsies (Dance Captain), Billy Elliot, West Side Story (Baby John). Film/TV: Five Dances, "Smash." Thanks to the fam, the Mine and DDPC. Hai Koi! www.RyanSteeleNYC.com

Betsy Struxness (U/S MRS. WORMWOOD)- Broadway: Scandalous, Leap of Faith, Memphis, Wicked, Tours: Wicked(Chicago, San Francisco), All Shook Up, Oklahoma! Thank you Mom, Dad and Thomas. This one is for my favorite maggots: Layla, Leif, Norah and Willow. www.betsystruxness.com

Samantha Sturm (ENSEMBLE)- Elated to be a part of Matilda! Broadway: Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Addams Family. Nat'l tour: Cats, Evita. Various regional credits. Thanks to Marianne Wells, and everyone involved for this opportunity. And yes, thanks Mom for making me take ballet. Even though I complained. A lot.

Heather Tepe (SWING)- Thrilled to be back at the Shubert Theatre where she made her Broadway debut ten years ago as Baby June in Gypsy with Bernadette Peters and is delighted to be back with this wonderful production ofMatilda. Other Broadway credits: Billy Elliot and Dr. Seuss' the Grinch. Thanks to Barry Kolker, Eamon, family and friends.

Ben Thompson (ENSEMBLE)- Broadway: Green Day's American Idiot. Off-Broadway: Rent, Carrie. Nat'l tours: High School Musical, Big River, Joseph. Upcoming film:Something Whispered starring Cuba Gooding Jr. Thanks to the family (both real and the Matilda clan) and love to my "Acrobat" Kitty. Follow me on twitter @B_ThompsonNYC.

Clay Thomson (SWING)- Broadway: Newsies (Spot Conlon). National tours: West Side Story (A-rab), Oliver! (Child Swing). TV/advertisement: "Good Afternoon America" w/Liza Minnelli, Pepsi Fizz Effect, NERF. Huge thanks to Mom, Dad, Bailey, Chris, family, friends, RSC, Broadway Artists Alliance and blocNYC!! More at www.claythomson.com.

Taylor Trensch (MICHAEL)- Comes directly from bare at New World Stages, where he played Peter. Broadway: Wicked (Boq). Off-Broadway: Rent (New World Stages). First national tour: Spring Awakening (Moritz). Regional: Little Miss Sunshine (La Jolla Playhouse); Mormons, Mothers and Monsters (Barrington Stage). Training: Elon University. Thanks: Jillian.

Frenie Acoba (LAVENDER)- Honored to make her Broadway debut in this amazing production with this talented cast and creative team. Past credits includeSouth Pacific national tour, Damn Yankees at John Engemann. Thanks to Lisa Calli, Kidz Theater, Innovative, Mr. Prisco, Mrs. Gramarossa, Mrs. Kelleher, and especially Mom, Dad, Keiffer, family and friends.

ERICA SIMONE BARNETT (SWING)- Excited to be a member of the original NYC Matilda cast for her Broadway debut. Professional credits include The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and dance performances throughout the country. Special love and appreciation to my family and friends, especially BDC-CTP and GENEX.

Thayne Jasperson (ENSEMBLE)- From newsboy strikes to a revolting child #excited!! Broadway: Newsiesoriginal cast (Astaire Award nom.). Tours: West Side Story (1^st national),Oz (Scarecrow), So You Think You Can Dance. Film/TV: "SYTYCD," "High School Musical," "HSM 2," "Smash," MTV's "The American Mall." Regional:Footloose (Ren). Twitter: @thaynejasperson, youtube.com/thaynejasperson

Judah Bellamy (TOMMY)- Thrilled to be appearing in Matilda on Broadway! Sincecutting his teeth as Young Simba in Broadway's The Lion King, he has appeared in a few commercials and a movie. He thanks God, Mom, Dad, DR. Branch, Uncle Jelani, Pop Pop, Nanna, Nana and the family for everything!

Jack Broderick (BRUCE)- Thrilled to be performing in Matilda! Recent credits: Into the Woods(Narrator), Public Theater; Billy Elliot (Michael), Broadway, Toronto, Chicago; Peter Pan (Michael), Paper Mill Playhouse; The Christmas Spectacular tour (Ben). Many thanks David Doan, Sara Brians, the creative team, Marion Drew and Art of Dance.

Ava DeMary (ALICE)- Broadway: Billy Elliot (Ballet Girl), Evita (Child). Regional: The Sound of Music (Gretl). Special thanks to creative team, Shirley Grant Management, Trapper, Marie Fischbach and all my teachers. Love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Alexa, Grandma, family and friends!

Emma Howard (HORTENSIA)- Broadway debut after 35+ separate regional stage productions!!! Heartfelt thanks to the Matilda creative team for this opportunity. Much love to Nancy Carson, Gina Neumann, Madeline Neumann, Rene Urbanovich and BAA staff for their mentoring, and to Mom and Dad for their love and sacrifices. Visit www.emmahoward.co.

Jared Parker (NIGEL)- Broadway debut! Professional credits include ABT's The Nutcracker,Australian Ballet's Swan Lake, the national tour of Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Film: Arthur. Television: Comedy Central, "Sesame Street" and voiceovers for Nickelodeon as well as national commercials. Training: ABT's JKO School. Thanks to David Doan, Julia Mendelsohn and my family.

Luke Kolbe Mannikus (SWING)- Delighted to be part of the Matilda original Broadway cast! Broadway:Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Other: The Music Man (Winthrop),Cinderella, Scrooge (Tiny Tim), Little Mr. Dance Xplosion 2010. Grateful to God, family, friends, Nancy Carson, Deborah Abramson, Julia Mendelsohn, Cherie Carl, Jackie Ferre and Kara Bocchi. www.LukeMannikus.com

MADILYN JAZ MORROW (SWING)- So honored...Broadway debut! Heartfelt thanks: Janet Taddie, Matt Liebowitz, Gia Solari, Stage 1, DTC, TVRT, DMT, CVAF, CVPA, Canyon MS, Corvallis, Calvary, Cassie Nordgren, Aunt Lisa, Lee's, Sylvia's, all my friends and family. For always believing: Mom, Dad, Zell and Geema. Grateful to Matildacast and creatives. "Miracles" happen!

Sawyer Nunes (SWING)- Thrilled to make his Broadway debut at age 11 in this magical production. Love and thanks to family and friends in New Orleans, Newman School, JPAS, Dreux Montegut, Jaune Buisson, Lauren Gisclair, Jessica Hartman and the entire creative team for helping make his wildest dream come true!

Beatrice Tulchin (AMANDA)- Broadway: A Christmas Story. Nat'l tour: Billy Elliot. Grateful to Pleasantville MS, LVP, ADA, Janine Molinari, Julia Mendelsohn, Denise Simon, Jen Rudin, David Hibbard, Rochelle Shulman and Amanda/RKS Mgmt, David Doan/Gen. TV, and Matilda creatives. Love to: family, friends, pets, Lucy, Cassidy, Alexa, Sophia, Francesca, Mama, Daddy, Leo and SophieDora.

TEd Wilson (ERIC)- Makes his Broadway debut with Matilda, transferring from the Olivier Award-winning original London cast. Other professional experience in London includes The King and I, Oliver! and Madame Butterfly. Other credits include Raffles of Singapore-The Musical, television trailer for "Handy Manny" (Disney Channel) and Save the Children photo shoot.