Theater Review: 'Matilda The Musical' by Cabaret On Main Theater

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Cabaret on Main Theater, located at Broadway on Main Theatre Company, launched an immersive, community theater production of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical" for six shows in two weekends on their stage in East Haven. I was lucky to get a seat for the closing performance and enjoyed watching a stage-full of young performers and dedicated adults bring this fun story to life.

“Matilda” contains memorable music and lyrics by Tim Minchin that accompany a book written by Dennis Kelly.

Director Neil Fuentes clearly worked hard to wrangle the little bit “Naughty” and not very “Revolting Children” that ranged in age from five to teens. Billy DiCrosta served as the show’s producer. Music Director Rachel Hanchuruck, assisted by Edwin Rodriguez, helped every singer to sound great with the recorded musical tracks.

Fuentes notes that the group delved into "the story of a little girl born into a dysfunctional family, facing bullying head-on." The show they have tackled "are not just entertainment; they're journeys that hopefully leave you with something to ponder."

I was really impressed with the work of Choreographer Gina Helland (assisted by T’Asia Newton) that was performed energetically by her dancers. My “Fiddler on the Roof” stage husband Rick Pegnataro (second from the right in the photo above) managed to keep up for the most part.

Fuentes also produced the amazing, all encompassing projection and set lighting design. The colorful projections of the original digital set fill the two long sides of the space, in addition to the stage area and the area that surrounds it. Whether it is the library of Mrs. Phelps, the Wormwood’s home, or the ever expanding chokey spaces, the virtual scenery never fails to delight the eyes. While I loved my seat close to the stage, I often turned to look behind me in order to appreciate the scale of the projections. Allowing the performers to enter and exit through the center aisle, and even play in the aisles during “When I Grow Up,” added to the immersive experience

Kudos to Costumer Gina Helland for a collection of matching school uniforms and sparkly dance ensembles. I especially loved Mrs. Wormwood’s tall blonde wigs, Wormwood’s purple suit and green hair. Lead set builder David Denecke and his assistant Vaughn Tardif produced some fine pieces, with alphabet blocks that transformed into school desks and benches. Parents that came together to provide the props included Lisa Costello, Shauna Denecke, Tracey Harding and Lindsay Manciero.

The tiny Luciana Scheinberg led the cast in the title role, bringing the special Matilda to life. She shared the role with Olivia Clarke.

The adults in the cast did very well with their comedically well-drawn roles. DeCrosta told us that some of their cast members had traveled 90 minutes to be part of the cast. He also mentioned during his curtain speech that the members of this cast saved the drama for the stage throughout their time together.

Alecia Coffin stomped about the stage and the aisles in her role as Headmistress Agatha Trunchbull. Johanna Milani completely embodied the role of Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey and sang wonderfully.

The ridiculous Wormwoods were brought to life by the talented Kyle Riedinger as Mr. Wormwood (“All I Know”) and Rachel Morrow as the “Loud” Mrs. Wormwood. The two had “stupid” chemistry as Matilda’s clueless parents. Luke Cashman and Jimmy O’Hara shared the role of the couple’s dull son Michael Wormwood.

Lisa Costello gave a charming performance in the great role of librarian Mrs. Phelps, the first adult that appreciates the specialness of Matilda.

In the featured student roles were Aiden Masterbone as a wonderful Bruce, with a great solo in “Revolting Children,” and Paige Lawner and Julia Valenzano sharing the role of Lavender.

Abigail Costello and Noa Rengifo-Miller shared the role of Amanda, Avery Denecke covered Eric, Audrey Lenington played Alice, Nicole Floran was Hortensia, and Michael Raccio appeared as Tommy. Ava Palmer stood out in the role of Nigel.

I was so impressed with the strong singing voice and stage presence of Edwin Rodriguez in his two roles of The Escapologist and the doctor at the top of the show. Piper Stepule was the lovely Acrobat with dynamite in her hair.

The Bulgarian Henchmen were played by Derek Masterbone, Pegnataro, Pat Doolan, and Marvin Jones, with Masterbone also stepping up to play the children’s entertainer in a rainbow clown wig.

Angela Jackson played the hospital nurse, and Lynn Vogel played the role of the Mrs. Wormwood’s dance partner Rudolpho and the Bulgarian Sergei. The “Miracle” parents were played by Costello, Doolan, Jackson, Jones, Masterbone, Pegnataro and Piper Stepule.

The Kids ensemble included Lennon Albe, Theodora Anderholt, Rose D’Angelo, Arianna Francis, Teagan Haesche, Vinny Hedley, Isabella Jones, Lenah Jones, Melanie Kline, Jayla Orozco, Michael Raccio, Olivia Valenzano and Isabella Viteri. The work that they had put into mastering the strong choreography definitely showed. DiCrosta told me that his non-profit organization strives to prepare the students to be polished members of other community productions and these young performers are well on their way to just that.

After the closing performance, DiCrosta announced that the holiday show this year will be “A Christmas Story,” scheduled for the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving.

All photos courtesy of Broadway on Main.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.