Looking for a fun family activity in Overland Park this July? Look no further than The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at The J!
Opening July 2 and running through the 24th, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” hits the stage to wrap up an exciting 2021-22 season at The White Theatre. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, “Matilda The Musical” is a captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With the book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Tickets to “Matilda The Musical” are available now at TheWhiteTheatre.org, at The White Theatre Box Office or by calling 913-327-8094.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda shows courage and cleverness in equal amounts as she rises above it all.
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs, and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Elizabeth Cure will play the titular character, Matilda, in her ninth musical performance, having played Gavroche in “Les Miserable” and Jojo in “Seussical The Musical.” Joell Ramsdell returns to The White Theatre stage as mean headmistress Miss Trunchbull after performances in “Annie” and “Young Frankenstein.”
Elizabeth Phillips is making her debut at The White Theatre as Matilda’s schoolteacher, Miss Honey. Phillips has performed on stage throughout Kansas City. Matt Walberg and his daughter, Willa, are making this performance a family affair, as Matt plays Matilda’s father, Mr. Wormwood, while Willa takes the stage in the ensemble!
Kelly Urschel Edgar is back on stage at The White Theatre as Matilda’s mother, Mrs. Wormwood. Finally, after 20 years, Denice Trawicki is back on stage at The J, rounding out the lead cast as Mrs. Phelps.
Fresh and familiar faces will also take the stage as “The Little Kids” – Nora Brasel, Lily Case, Lucy Dandurand, Quinn Kamphaus, Olivia Kenyon, London Oxandale, Liam Smith and Oliver Yeung – and as “The Big Kids/Adults” – Laura Behm, Tessa Brasel, Hartley Graham, Stuart Jackson, Sharon Johnson, Cody Kreutzer, Pete Kuhn, Reed Pearman, Mia Valentine, Willa Walberg, Colin Weaver and Alison Weaver.
This production is the product of a groundbreaking educational collaboration with Theatre in the Park called The Emerging Theatre Professionals Initiative, or ETPI. This new program provides opportunities for theatre professionals at the beginning of their careers to train and develop their leadership and production skills while creating amazing art in two nurturing theatre environments in the Kansas City area.
The talented ETPI participants who have collaborated and created theatre at The White Theatre for “Matilda The Musical” will do so later this year at Theatre in the Park for their production of “Sponge Bob.” Under the mentorship of seasons professionals and the leadership of Guy Gardner, who created the initiative the emerging artists grow their skills as artists, leaders and professionals. It is the hope of the program creators and developers that it will enhance future theatre opportunities for local individuals and add to the prodigious pool of artistic talent in the region.
The White Theatre recently announced an exciting 2022-23 season lineup, which will feature some fantastic, high energy shows like “Addams Family” and “Kinky Boots,” as well as some tried-and-true classics like “A Raisin in the Sun” – coproduced with the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City – and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Guests can also look forward to lively concerts and new special engagements like the “Jewish Nutcracker,” a one-man show called “Eddie” – cosponsored by The Truman Library Institute – and another new work called “Vilna: A Resistance Story” – coproduced with The Culture House.
More information about “Matilda The Musical” and the 2022-23 season can be found at TheWhiteTheatre.org.
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