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‘Matilda’ set to take NAHS stage

Published March 26. 2025 12:25PM
by ED COURRIER Special to The Press

A girl’s psychokinetic powers brings childhood anarchy to the stage with “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” 7 p.m. March 28, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 29 and 1 p.m. March 30 in the auditorium at Northampton Area High School, 1619 Laubach Ave.

The musical is based on the 1988 children’s novel “Matilda” by Dahl and the 1996 film of the same title. “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” film was released in 2022.

The 2013 Broadway debut received 12 Tony Award nominations, receiving four Tonys.

Songs include “Naughty,” “Loud,” “The Smell of Rebellion,” “My House” and “Revolting Children.”

The cast of the NAHS Theatre Company’s production includes Audrey Wood as Matilda (understudy: Violette Pasini), Hailey Laury as Mrs. Wormwood (understudy: Emma Schoeneberger), Jeff Bittmann as Mr. Wormwood (understudy: Ant Curto), Max VanAntwerp as Michael Wormwood, Aidan Fincke as Rudolpho, Hailey Achey as Miss Trunchbull (understudy: Jossie Mateo), Ava Billy as Miss Honey (understudy: Anna Sekol), Emma Schoeneberger as Mrs. Phelps (understudy: Autumn Maikits), Jasmine Evanetz as Bruce, Abigail Weist as Lavender, Logan Pierson-Balik as Escapologist, Emma Luipersbeck as Acrobat, Katherine Deshler as Cook and Madelyn Johnston as Sergei. Henchmen are played by Brody McCann, Dillon Supers and Chase Rossanese.

Additional cast members include Jossie Mateo as Doctor, Madison Michael as Nurse, Olivia Case as Amanda, Ant Curto as Nigel (understudy: Ada Steeley), Tori Hand as Eric, Violette Pasini as Alice, Lyla Larkin as Hortensia, Honour Raub as Tommy and Chase Rossanese as Children’s Entertainer.

The Little Kids Ensemble consists of Olivia Case, Ant Curto, Tori Hand, Karly Hirsch, Kaiah Jaeger, Lyla Larkin, Violette Pasini, Honour Raub, Chloe Ryan, Ada Steeley, Hannah Tauber, Jacalynn Tauber, Izzy Toohey and Abigail Weist.

Parents/Big Kids Ensemble includes Katherine Deshler, Aidan Fincke, Keely Holland, Madelyn Johnston, Emma Luipersbeck, Autumn Maikits, Jossie Mateo, Brody McCann, Madison Michael, Adriana Miklich, Chase Rossanese, Anna Sekol, Kaylie Simmons, Dillon Supers, Max VanAntwerp and Effie Toole.

Director Christine Marto is assisted by choreographer Gianna Neal, musical director Hannah Milagio, set design adviser Courtney Muick, technical director Jonathan Lynch and costumer adviser Carolyn Peters.

Orchestra director Isabelle Beedle conducts the following musicians: Carter Clough, Natalie St. Hill, Daniel Holub, Jade Lamberty, Alivia Petrella, Jacob Bindics, Nadia Dougherty, Izzy Montiel, Joshua Holub, Michael Chickilly, Logan Romanishan, Alex Beltrame, Roman Garcia, O. Spencer, Kristi Weaver, Peyton Romanishan, Shane Hahnel, Chase Stasak, Jose Carrillo Manzueta, Kaedyn Parker, Allison Silfies, Devin Kurtz and Jennifer Calhoun.

Additional production crew members include Jennifer Moss, Natalie St. Hill, Karah Abarca, Abbey Gildner, Courtney Sheats-Mueller, Lainey Tillotson, Tony Beleno, Jonathan Lynch and City Entertainment.

To purchase tickets ahead of time, visit cur8.com/15805/project/129211.

PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIERFrom left, Emma Schoeneberger as librarian Mrs. Phelps, listens intently as Audrey Wood, as Matilda, begins the story “Once Upon a Time” with Logan Pierson-Balik, as Escapologist, and Emma Luipersbeck, as Acrobat, during a recent rehearsal of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.” Northampton Area High School Theatre Company performs the musical 7 p.m. March 28, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 29 and 1 p.m. March 30 in the NAHS auditorium, 1619 Laubach Ave.
Hailey Laury, as Mrs. Wormwood, and her dance partner Aidan Fincke, as Rudolpho, mock Matilda’s interest in books during the song “Loud.”
At center, Jeff Bittmann, as Mr. Wormwood, and Max VanAntwerp, as his son Michael, perform the “Telly Off” scene at the start of Act 2.
Ava Billy (left), as Miss Honey, sings “My House,” as she treats Audrey Wood, as Matilda, to tea at her humble shack.
Crunchem Hall students turn out for “School Song” during Act 1.
Audrey Wood (left), as Matilda, is berated by her ignorant parents — Hailey Laury, as Mrs. Wormwood, and Jeff Bittmann, as Mr. Wormwood — for being a bookworm.