Matilda waltzes into Meralco

I do not know why people watch those gory, scary horror flicks, but you have to admit that they sell. In fact, it is those films that seem to make money these days. They have dominated the motion picture business, in both big and small screens these past months.

I am happy to note though that the local theater scene has turned out to be tremendously different. It has instead been livelier than usual with a number of wholesome, family targeted musicals running one after the other.

The West End company of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music just ended a successful Manila run at The Theatre at Solaire two weeks ago. Last Nov. 12, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, with a talented Filipino cast led by Gian Magdangal and Yannah Laurel and a flying car, also ended at the Newport Theater for the Performing Arts of Resorts World Manila. And now playing at The Meralco Theater in Ortigas Center is the Atlantis production of Matilda, the Musical, directed by Bobby Garcia.

So now parents, prepare yourselves to take the kiddies to this Tony and Olivier Awards-winning show, starring three future Broadway babies in the lead role. Alternating as Matilda are Esang de Torres, who was in Team Lea in The Voice Kids and who recently played Cossette in the Les Miserables Asian tour; Felicity Kyle Napuli and Uma Martin, who were both from the cast of A Little Princess.

Also in the show are theater stalwarts Jamie Wilson as the mean Miss Trunchbull, how nice that he is getting this beasty star turn, and the always watchable Cris Villonco as the sweet, sympathetic teacher Miss Honey.

Matilda, the Musical, written by Dennis Kelly with music by Tim Minchin, is based on the book titled Matilda written by Roald Dahl. It is about an intelligent little girl who is often bullied by her television and ballroom dancing addicted parents. She is a voracious reader and puzzle solver and possesses telekinetic powers. Like most kids, she also has a naughty streak. She goes to this school where the headmistress is the tyrannical Agatha Trunchbull who regards all children as maggots.

If we are to go by the usual plots in kiddie lit, Matilda Wormwood will be put-upon and mistreated until a kind-hearted savior comes to her rescue. Not in this case though. Remember that this is a tale by Dahl who is one of the greatest storytellers of our time, and one who has a penchant for presenting children in a different light.

Dahl was also the writer of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, The Fantastic Mr. Fox and other classic stories for children with many memorable characters. Kids in these novels are smart, clever and ever brave, take-charge leaders who often make more sense than adults.

Think Charlie getting independence from his lazy grandparents, thanks to Willy Wonka or of James whose cruel aunts get killed when they are run over by the giant peach. And what about those boys who took on an entire witches’ convention. In the case of Matilda, the plucky girl leads the children in a revolt in school that puts away the monstrous Miss Trunchbull and eventually gets her away from her uncaring parents.

Matilda the Musical is one of those instances wherein the writing fully melded with the music and the dancing. It was wildly praised when it came out in 2011 as both intelligent and entertaining with a captivating score. Adults will love it as a total well-executed package of a musical while children will certainly leave the theater inspired.

Not necessarily to revolt against authority but maybe against bullies, more so if there is a Miss Trunchbull in their lives or let us say, even just against television. At the very least I hope it will encourage them to read. I am sure you all agree that today’s kids can certainly make use of some hours in a day spent with a book. Who knows, they might even grow up like Matilda.

Matilda the Musical plays at the Meralco Theater until Dec. 10. It will make a great pre-Christmas treat for the whole family.