VIDEO: First Look At ZACH Theatre's MATILDA THE MUSICAL

ZACH Theatre announces cast for the Austin premiere of the Tony Award-winning hit, Roald Dahl's 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.

ZACH's Associate Artistic Director Abe Reybold explains why co-directing Matilda the Musical with Nat Miller (Director of Education) is important to him, "Matilda celebrates the power of the imagination and the courage it takes to take a stand. 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."

Take a journey through the world of TIME Magazine's #1 Show of the Year, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical! Matilda is an extraordinary little girl who dares to take a stand and change her destiny. When she has 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.

Expanding on co-directing Matilda the Musical, Director of Education Nat Miller states, "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. 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.

Matilda the Musical will also star J. Robert Moore as terror headmistress, Miss Trunchbull; LAURA LYMAN PAYNE as Matilda's caring teacher, Miss Honey;ANDRÉ MARTIN and SARA BURKE as Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda's insufferable parents; and Lara Wright as the loveable librarian Mrs. Phelps.

Matilda will be joined by the other pupils at Crunchem Hall Primary School played by WILL MAY and WILKES GOODNER as Bruce; SLOANE JOHNSON andBLAKENEY MAHLSTEADT as Lavender; LOGAN MARCUM and RYAN GU as Nigel; PAIGE RILEY and STELLA BLUE FRYE-GINSBERG as Amanda; BRUCE BOWEN and CAMERON REDWINE as Eric; ALYSA SPIRO and SAMANTHA BEAM as Alice; MARIELA DENSON and Elli Grace Hodges as Hortensia;BEATRIX McDANIEL and ELLA RUTMAN as Tommie; with JACK WEAVER and BRECKIN MURPHY as her brother Michael Wormwood.

Rounding out the adult cast: Tyler Jones as The Escapologist; Paul Sanchez as Doctor/Sergei/Cool; ERNEST SAUCEDA as Rudolpho; EBONY CRICHLOWas Acrobat; BEN GIBSON as Counselor; JAUKEEM BALCOM as Dad; MERCY BOVIK, CAMRYN LAMONTAGNE, ZOE PARKINSON, AUSTIN DUNN, CARLI VINCIGUERRA, OWEN SCALES, and ANDERSON ZOLL as Ensemble; and ALEXA GRACE GODWIN and ARAYA FEENEY as Swings.

Directed by Abe Reybold and NAT MILLER, the production team also includes ALLEN ROBERTSON as Music Director, JEN YOUNG as Choreographer,MICHELLE NEY as Scenic Designer, STEPHANIE BUSING as Projection Designer, Susan Branch TOWNE as Costume Designer, SERRET JENSEN as Hair and Makeup Designer, MATT WEBB as Lighting Designer, CRAIG BROCK as Sound Designer, SCOTT GROH as Properties Designer, AMANDA COOLEY DAVIS as Dialect Coach, and CATHERINE ANNE TUCKER as Stage Manager.

Age recommendation: 6 and up; No children under the age of 3 will be admitted into the theater.

Run time: Two hours and 30 minutes including one intermission.

Tickets start at $25 and are available online at zachtheatre.org

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