Yet again, the WBHS theater department has knocked it out of the park with the annual spring musical. This year Roald Dahl’s Matilda was brought to life on the high school stage. The show featured students of all grades working together to put on a spectacular performance. Most notable were the efforts of sophomore Ella Daiek who played the leading lady, Matilda Wormwood as well as seniors Ellena Guinn and Janay Bearden who played Miss Honey and Agatha Trunchbull respectively.
After the advisory preview on Thursday, high expectations for the play had already taken root in students’ minds. In reference to the comically harsh treatment of schoolchildren on the part of Ms. Trunchbull, senior Eric Kocher jokingly said, “It looks great. I like that the kids are getting tortured.” The preview was comprised of songs “School Song” and “The Smell of Rebellion,” which feature students lamenting the dreadful circumstances they’re forced to live under as well as evident child abuse in gym class.
In addition to the prospective viewers, those involved in the play were also feeling good about it come Thursday afternoon. Myleigh and Mylah Dorsey, senior actors for whom Matilda is their fourteenth WB play, expressed their enjoyment in being a part of their very last show at the high school. Mylah Dorsey explained, “I feel good about it. I think it’s gonna go really well,” whereas Myleigh Dorsey, also positive, was more focused on the relief of wrapping up another successful production.
Representing another aspect of the play, Shiho Kashiwagi-Wood, a jack of all trades in the pit orchestra, explained that the musical aspects of the play were all in order just in time for opening night. Their instrumentals and vocals kept the show on pace and the added dimension elevated all the emotions audience members experienced throughout the show.
The show itself started with a bang as the audience was immediately drawn into Roald Dahl’s whimsical world of childhood fancies contrasted harshly with Matilda’s quite unpleasant upbringing. The characteristic whitty lyrics and emotional contrast throughout the show kept viewers on their toes for the nearly three hour duration. Fully immersed, audience members chuckled at Trunchbull’s antics, so well illustrated by Bearden; grieved for Matilda with Miss Honey, whose songs were full of raw emotion beautifully integrated by Guinn; and celebrated with Matilda who quickly captured hearts owing to Daiek’s easy charm.
The show was a great hit as audience members reported thorough enjoyment following the performance. Student Ava Aisner declared, “I thought it was so good! 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.” Likewise, Carter Woolbright also expressed hearty amusement from the play, particularly mentioning the humor and character connections as noteworthy.
Though the show was a joy in most respects, the end of closing night was bittersweet as the retirement of theater champion and WBHS counselor, Mrs. Karen Brody was celebrated alongside that of the essential technical director, Mr. John Verloove. These two crucial players in the success of WBHS theater will be missed greatly as stated in heartfelt speeches from International Thespian Society (ITS) president, Seleste Knappe, and vice president, Sarah Laurman, as well as play director and high school theater instructor Mrs. Kristine Stephens.
While they may have been the only ones to get speeches, Mrs. Brody and Mr. Verloove were hardly the only essential members of the theater department leaving this year. Matilda marked the final high school production of all of the senior actors who will soon be going off to bigger and better things. While they are overwhelmingly excited by the big changes ahead of them, the seniors will certainly be missed by those they leave behind. Assistant stage manager, Hannah Fridman described her favorite part of Matilda as “hanging out with my favorite seniors who are graduating.” Others are similarly soaking up their last moments with the graduating class while also looking ahead to their moment in the sun.
Despite all the melancholy touches, closing night was truly a beautiful end to the production. Junior actor Cameron Hegarty explained, “closing night was the best because we all just like banded together.” Reflecting her observation, cast members could be seen crying and hugging on the stage during the post-show honors as well as outside the auditorium doors following the end of the recognitions. Thus, Matilda served as a lovely, heartfelt end to many WBHS theater careers as well as an exciting start to the next chapter.
