CYT’s ‘Matilda’ is a story about overcoming in more ways than one
Published 12:59 pm Thursday, May 9, 2024
- In this CYT Matilda scene, students discover that the owner of the language has the superpower. Pictured are Rollins Anderson, McKenzie Menard, Kinley Leger, Carrison Duhon, Cicily Self, Lauryn Scott, Averill Ranier, Riley Hill and Victoria Matte. (Special to the American Press)
CYT’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda, The Musical,” has created quite the buzz, according to Brittany Menard, artistic director.
“Our field trip show is sold out,” Menard said. “Bulber has 1,800 seats. It’s going to be a wild ride.”
The story of an overcomer is always well received, but this production is not only about Matilda’s escape from Harry and Zinnia Wormwood and The Trunchbull. It is also the story of CYT overcomers.
“We were midway through production for “Matilda” in 2020 when the whole world shut down,” Menard said. “We lost this show and our kids grieved it.”
After two years, most of the students graduated out of the program.
“We couldn’t redo the show because it was too painful,” Menard said. “It brought up lots of memories and deep-rooted emotions of all we lost that year, the hurricanes, the flooding. We have finally revived it and we’re going out with a bang.”
The original cast will be on stage for a final bow. McKenzie Menard will star as Matilda. Cooper Self is Trunchbull and Hannah Miller is Miss Honey.
This captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company revels in the anarchy of childhood while delivering adult-sized lessons, making it a show enjoyed from the young to the young at heart. The book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, have won 47 international awards.
Tickets are $20. Seats at Bulber Auditorium, McNeese State University, are still available for Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m. Go to cytlakecharles.org/shows to find out more.
