"Matilda the Musical" - by Roald Dahl, Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin - Bradley Playhouse (Putnam, CT) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Corinne Sweeney stars as Roald Dahl's "MATILDA" in the musical adaptation by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through February 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Mike Scott)
By Emily Baldwin
Special METRMAG Correspondent Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”
- ("Matilda") / Roald Dahl, Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin
Theatre Of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc.
at the Bradley Playhouse
Presents Roald Dahl's
"MATILDA THE MUSICAL"
Book by Dennis Kelly
Based on the story by Roald Dahl
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Rachel N. Terceira
Music Director Dr. E. Justin Simone
Choreographer Catie Verostick
Stage Manager Kerrissa Cobb
Cast Includes: Corinne Sweeney as “Matilda,” Larissa Laver as “Agatha Trunchbull,” Kaitlyn Nusz as “Miss Honey,” Samara Klion as “Mr. Wormwood,” Sophia Pontbriand as “Mrs. Wormwood,” Liam Galante as “Michael Wormwood,” Kiku Langford McDonald as “Mrs. Phelps,” Rupert McDonald as “Bruce,” Lillian Bengtson as “Lavender,” Savannah Stevens as “Amanda,” Augustus (Gus) Lewis as “Nigel,” Aurora Currier, Lily Drowne as “Hortensia,” Tristan Jolley, Ambrose McDonald as “Eric,” Flynn Currier, Evan Meyer as “Tommy,” Charlee Bellfeuille, Kendall Drobiak as “Alice,” Corey Stanley as “Rudolpho/Escapologist,” R. Terceira as “The Acrobat,” William A. Alexson as “Sergei,” Skylar Hornung as “Cook,” Danny Choquette as “Henchman,” Preston Arnold as “Children’s Entertainer/Nurse,” Sebastian Ferdman as “Unruly Child,” Rollo Hershey Theriaque as “Party Animal.”
“School Kids” Ensemble: Evan Meyer, Ambrose McDonald, Lily Drowne, Kendall Drobiak, Laila Pagan, Eleanor Flores, Spencer Middleton.
Additional Creative Team:
Assistant Stage Manager - Anthony Archambault; Artistic Committee Liaisons - Greg Brock, Madeline Jaaskela; Production Manager - Jeanne Foley; Assistant Production Manager - Carol Schimmelpfennig; Production Coordinator - Kathleen Atwood; Costume Designer - Paisley Gothreau; Hair and Makeup Designer/Artist - Rebecca Theriaque; Set Design - Ty Collige; Props - Kerrissa Cobb, Rachel Terceira; Scenic Artist - Kerrissa Cobb; Set Painters - Charlee Bellefeuille, Jodi Bellefeuille, Tristan Jolley, Tana Jolley, Kiku Langford McDonald, Larissa Lavar, Rupert McDonald, Ambrose McDonald, Liam Galante; Set Construction - Ty Collige, Jordan Miller, Carlo Galante, Steven Drowne, Nora Miller, Liam Galante; Lighting Design - Ty Collige; Sound Design - Zach Searle; Light Operator - Reilly, Jordan Miller; Sound Operator - LJ Theriaque; Spotlight Operators - David Abbamonte, Liz Wilcox; Stagehands - WIll Alexson, Danny Choquette, Mark Smolak.
Performances:
April 24, 2026 through May 10, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE, 30 Front Street (Route 44) in Putnam, CT. 06260-1942
TICKETS:
All seats reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887.
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Class is now in session as the folks at the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut (TNECT) at the Bradley Playhouse present Roald Dahl’s "MATILDA THE MUSICAL."
Based on the 1988 novel "MATILDA" by children's author Roald Dahl the show, normally referred to as either "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" or simply "MATILDA," features a score by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly.
The Broadway production of "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" ran until 2017 with a respectable run of 1,555 performances while, in the UK, the original West End production in 2025 celebrated its 5,000th performance.
Even given the above impressive numbers, this is another Dahl story that most folks will either love or not, leaving very few sitting on the fence.
The TNECT production of "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" features a strong cast and, at least at the April 25th performance, it seems like this cast deserves extra credit for overcoming some obvious technical issues (more on that later).
When Dahl wrote his novel "MATILDA" (featuring illustrations by Quentin Blake), he wrote about a young, intelligent girl who develops a love of reading despite abusive adult figures, including her parents and the headmistress of her school.
To counter the adversity in her life coming from those who should be helping and not hurting her, "MATILDA" learns to develop a special magical ability which she uses to help stage a rebellion.
In the story we meet "MATILDA" Wormwood (Corinne Sweeney), a clever little girl who mainly loves to read, but has been blessed (or cursed, depending on one’s perspective) with the gift of telekinesis, the psychic ability to move objects without physical contact just by using her mind.
After a try-out by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from 2010 to 2011, "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" debuted in the West End then in 2013 transferred to Broadway.
The musical was a critic’s darling, with the UK production winning multiple (if not a veritable majority of) awards including seven Olivier Awards (counting one for Best New Musical), and the US production winning five Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and five Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly.
Since 2013 the show has enjoyed successful national and international tours and, in 2022, a film adaptation was also released.
Now "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" appears courtesy of TNECT under the competent supervision of director Rachel Terceira along with music direction by Dr. E. Jusin Simone and choreography by Catie Verostick.
(Photo: The CAST of Roald Dahl's "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through February 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Mike Scott)
The story begins with Mrs. Wormwood (Sophia Pontbriand) giving birth to "MATILDA" during the opening number “Miracle.”
However, the new mother seems more concerned about missing a ballroom dancing contest as a result of this unwanted “inconvenience.”
Upon learning his wife has given birth to a daughter instead of a son, used-car salesman and television addict Mr. Wormwood (Samara Klion) similarly dismisses the child.
Both Pontbriand and Klion offer outstanding comedic portrayals of the abysmally self-absorbed parents, although both performances were impeded at the April 25th performance by microphone issues, resulting in some key lines lost upon the audience.
Each is given a moment to shine as Pontbriand is a fine dancer and Klion impresses rendering the Intermission song “All I Know.” Mr. Wormwood takes out his career (or lack thereof) frustrations on "MATILDA" so she retaliates by putting superglue around the rim of his hat, leading to some hilarious results.
Sweeney simply delights as "MATILDA" who overcomes obstacles caused by her family and headmistress at her school to help her favorite teacher reclaim her life.
Sweeney also showcases an impressive voice demonstrated by her rendition of the Act Two song, “Quiet” which is about finding inner peace amidst overwhelming chaos, anxiety, and the emotional noise existing in our world…an inner peace we could all use these days.
Five years later, "MATILDA" emerges as an avid reader living unhappily with her parents.
A favorite place she goes to escape her dreary existence is the library, where "MATILDA" spends time with kindly librarian Mrs. Phelps (Kiku Langford McDonald).
(Photo: Larissa Laver as “Agatha Trunchbull” in Roald Dahl's "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through February 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Mike Scott)
In the number "Once Upon a Time" we are introduced to the Acrobat (R. Terceira) and Escapologist (Corey Stanley) as "MATILDA" makes up a story about a world-famous acrobat couple who cannot have children which, at the April 25th performance, was particularly well executed.
As the "School Song" number unfolds, "MATILDA" attends her first day at school where she meets her teacher Miss Honey (Kaitlyn Nusz) with whom she instantly bonds.
As teacher to student or simply as friend to friend Nusz and Sweeney have terrific chemistry, illustrated when Miss Honey sees how gifted and intelligent "MATILDA" is and decides to request that "MATILDA" be moved to the top class.
Nusz does a fine job leaning into the amiable nature of Miss Honey and her relationship with "MATILDA" as well as her vocal rendering of the song “My House” which is a number also featuring the Escapologist.
However much student and teacher have bonded, Miss Honey's suggestion is vehemently rejected by the child-hating and tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull (Larissa Laver), displayed in the number "The Hammer.”
(Photo: Corinne Sweeney stars as Roald Dahl's "MATILDA" in the musical adaptation by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through February 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Mike Scott)
Laver excels as the over-the-top villainous Trunchbull but, unfortunately, during some of her songs the performer was drowned out by the sheer volume of some of the actors portraying the students.
This is not the fault of the young TNECT actors portraying the students, all of whom are exceptional throughout the show.
In general, the entire April 25th "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" TNECT performance appeared hampered by technical issues, primarily in the areas of sound and noisy set changes during scene transitions, which were quite apparent.
Some additional time reviewing or doing a “cue-to-cue” run usually helps to alleviate some of these issues but the company may have fallen behind schedule to best implement those successfully.
That said, the "MATILDA" TNECT cast, very much to their credit, never falters and collectively provides their best performance under the circumstances, especially noticeable with the younger performers portraying the students which, again, are all quite impressive.
Much of "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" may seem rather dark for a so-called “kids' musical,” but even Dahl’s original story tends to lean that way, similar to his better-known tale of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
If Dahl was (ever) fond of children, he had an odd way of showing that fondness in his literary efforts.
"MATILDA THE MUSICAL" is less lighthearted children’s fare and more dark-themed musical saga centering on the struggles one child has just being a kid…albeit a kid with extraordinary gifts.
(Photo: The CAST of Roald Dahl's "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through February 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Mike Scott)
The unusual approach to the Dahl story by Dennis Kelly and the fine score attached to it courtesy of Tim Minchin makes this cleverly constructed tale worth seeing.
"MATILDA THE MUSICAL" continues from TNECT at the Bradley Playhouse until May 10th, 2026.
The 2026 season from TNECT at the Bradley Playhouse continues with the musical “CALENDAR GIRLS" beginning June 5th and running through June 14th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, visit www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or call # 860-928-7887.
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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
"The story of an extraordinary girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny." (MTI).
Inspired by the genius of Roald Dahl, "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" is a Tony Award–winning hit from the Royal Shakespeare Company that celebrates the power of imagination, the anarchy of childhood, and the inspiring story of a brilliant little girl with extraordinary gifts.
With a witty book by Dennis Kelly and unforgettable songs by Tim Minchin, "MATILDA THE MUSICAL" is packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy tunes, and plenty of girl-power spirit.
Audiences of all ages will be delighted by this joyous tale of courage, cleverness, and the magic of rewriting your own story.
ABOUT THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE
THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE is a 117 year-old vaudeville theatre in the heart of the Putnam antiques and restaurant district in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeastern Connecticut. Since 1991, THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE has been managed by the volunteers of The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc. (TNECT).
ABOUT THEATRE OF NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT (TNECT)
TNECT produces eight main season shows per year and a number of special fundraising events for The Bradley Playhouse Restoration Fund. TNECT’s mission is to produce and sponsor quality theatre and entertainment for the residents of Northeastern Connecticut and the surrounding areas, to encourage the development of creativity through the support of local artists, and to support education and hands-on experience in the creation, direction, and production of theatre and the performing arts.
30 Front Street
P.O. Box # 71
Putnam, CT. 06260-1942
