Newton Student To Star In 'Matilda'

From the Weston Drama Workshop: In 2010, Roald Dahl’s classic book Matilda was given new life as a musical, adapted by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. This month Weston Drama Workshop, a nonprofit youth summer theater program, currently in its 57th season, will produce this inspiring and imaginative story at Regis College in Weston. Sixty young thespians between the ages of 10 and 14 have been hard at work since mid-June, rehearsing five times a week in the Fine Arts Center’s beautiful Eleanor Welch Casey Theatre. Matilda transports audiences to the larger-than-life world of the title character, a young girl with wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. Weston Drama Workshop’s production stars Newton’s very own Ariel Gabay as the titular Matilda, and features several other Newtonites in its ensemble.

Directed by Aidan O’Hara, Weston Drama Workshop’s Producer and a theater educator at Wayland High School, the show has been a fun challenge for the young Gabay. She says of the process: “My favorite part has been getting to work with the other actors and actresses. I also loved learning the songs.” She notes that watching the famous 1996 film starring Mara Wilson made her especially excited to tackle the role. “Matilda isn’t like the other little kids,” Gabay adds. “She cares about doing things the right way. I feel similar to her. I also care about treating people how they want to be treated.”

Matilda originally opened on the West End in 2011, moving to Broadway in 2013. The show boasts a rousing score and energetic dance numbers, choreographed by Emily Craver. Director O’Hara refers to the opportunity to direct Matilda as “a dream come true.” He notes: “It's asked me to look back and consider the lens of a child when looking at the adults in their world. What could be those perceptions based on the realities of that world? What are the possibilities of a child's truth?”

In addition to Gabay, several other Newton residents appear in the cast: Cora Gundy, Jane Jakubowski, Sofia Kovarzin, Benn Litvak-Hinenzon, and Marc Quintanar. The show will be performed July 20-27 as part of Weston Drama Workshop’s 57 th season. Other productions this season include Finding Nemo Jr., Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, and The Wolves. For full program details and ticket information, please visit www.westondramaworkshop.org.

This press release was produced by the Weston Drama Workshop. The views expressed here are the author’s own.