Our community theater, Curtains Up Pagosa (CUP), will present four performances of “Matilda the Musical” next week on the Pagosa Springs High School stage with a local cast of 37 actors, 11 theater technicians behind the scenes and 12 pit musicians from the Pagosa Springs Community Band.
Demonstrating the experience and leadership of our community’s theater talent, this show rocks under the guidance of co-directors Krisha Doocy and Gus Palma, choreographers Pat Doocy and Sophie Martinez, musical director Leo Baughman, and stage manager Amelia Berndt, all of whom have played a variety of roles over past years as key members of the CUP company.
CUP is grateful for the continued support for set design and construction by Michael and Michele Berndt and our creative costume designer, Elizabeth Baldwin.
The role of Matilda will be played by a newcomer to CUP, Addy Hart, who has performed with the Pagosa Springs Dance Academy for the past four years, and Kylie Coleman, who shined in CUP’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Another new talent to our stage is Jeanie Abbas, who plays Matilda’s empathetic teacher, Miss Honey, and has considerable theater experience at Denver theaters and was recently seen on Pagosa’s Thingamajig Theatre Company stage in “The Odd Couple.”
Other CUP favorites from past shows include Pat Doocy as the sadistic principal Trunchbull, Kaitlen Smith as Mrs. Wormwood, Hunter Swinehart as Mr. Wormwood, Allen Domingo at the escapologist, Miles Rogue as Sergei, Grace Thompson as the doctor, and several of the 27 young adults and children in the energetic ensemble.
“Matilda the Musical” is based on the 1988 novel “Matilda” by Roald Dahl, the acclaimed author of “James and the Giant Peach.”
The musical’s narrative centers on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious young girl who loves reading and possesses a keen sense of justice. She uses her wit and telekinetic powers to right the perceived wrongs in her life and the lives of those closest to her.
This show originally opened in London in 2010 and is still playing there to packed audiences as the 15th longest running production in London’s West End history.
“Matilda” will be performed on the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium stage for three evening shows next week at 7 p.m. — on Thursday, June 26; Friday, June 27; and Saturday, June 28 — and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 28.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and can be purchased online at curtainsuppagosa.org or at the door.
Concessions benefiting CUP will be available before the show and during intermission.
