Picketwire Players Take It To a New Level with Matilda The Musical

Description: Bethany Taullie plays Matilda in The Picketwire Players Matilda The Musical Showing This Week. (photo by Ashley Bass Photography)


Published: 07/20/2022
Byline: SECO News

Picketwire Players Take It To a New Level with Matilda The Musical

By Susie Sarlo

The Picketwire production of “Matilda the Musical” opens Wednesday, July 20th at the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts in La Junta (802 San Juan Avenue). The beloved Roald Dahl children’s novel is adapted for the stage by Dennis Kelly (playwright) and Tim Minchin (musical score).  

The story is told from the perspective of the most powerless group of our society – children. Throughout the play, the children’s sense of empowerment grows as they use their imagination to create the happy childhood they desire.

Under the direction of the always fabulous Tracey Salzbrenner, Picketwire’s production of “Matilda the Musical" thrills, warms our hearts, and has us cheering for some of the most unruly behavior seen in any classroom. Dean Rees as choral director and James Lind as orchestra director take musical production to a new level. Their group of local musicians perform this innovative score flawlessly.

Starring in the show are three veteran actresses. Bethany Taullie performs the title role of Matilda. Ms. Taullie’s voice is always wonderful. We have enjoyed her in children’s theatre as well as Picketwire productions; however, as Matilda, she expresses the abused and tortured soul of her character like a mature adult.

Heather Pidcock-Reed plays the shy, but kind Miss Honey. When Ms. Pidcock-Reed sings, it is as if the heavens have opened up and angels sing. As Jenny Honey, she strikes a lovely balance of feeling the pain of a terrible childhood and wanting to make the lives of her students – especially Matilda – better.

(Photo by: Ashley Bass Photography)

The terrible, horrible Miss Trunchbull is played to perfection by Hannah Smith. Ms. Smith’s versatility over her many performances is always impressive. In this musical, she stretches her talents to a new level. She not only embodies the evil of Miss Trunchbull, we almost believe she might enjoy being mean.

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda’s parents) are played with the ultimate in campiness by Natalie Summers and Patrick Smith. Those who know Ms. Summers may take a double look at her “embellishments." Do not worry, they are all accomplished with the wonders of costuming.

Other performances of note are nearly thirty children who sing and act their way into our hearts. When they start belting out songs, it is hard to believe how young they are. Four of the older children – Kaydence Lagergren, Noah Nunez-Rebel, Andrew Benjamin, and Isabella Ortiz – do an exceptional job.

Ms. Salzbrenner’s assistant directors are her husband, Cameron, and Desiree Goheen. Zach Zamora is the light and sound technician. This team of four have been producing excellence during Picketwire’s summer musicals for over a decade. Ms. Goheen was also the choreographer, with two dance numbers choreographed by Jennifer Jackson and Cynthia Fazio. Costuming is by Rebecca and Courtney Ayala.

Actors and technicians bring this story to life. Even the set should take a bow for its innovative and technical achievement. During one song, four swings drop down from above, allowing children to swing and sing.  While there are so many wonderful songs – some playful, some full of mischief, and a few soulful, one of the highlights was the song using the swings.

Perhaps this song, “When I Grow Up," best expresses the theme of Roald Dahl’s story. The children sing it because they truly believe all their problems could be solved once they are adults. Yet the contrast between their wishes and Miss Honey’s journey from tortured childhood to tortured adulthood is in clear view.

The miracle of this story is the transformation for both Mathilda and Miss Honey that happens because of their love for each other. This love gives them the strength and hope that is required for a happy life, a happy family. Don’t you just love happy endings?

This reviewer commends all the actors and technicians and recommends “Matilda: The Musical” to anyone who is in the mood for a delightfully entertaining evening. The Picketwire summer musical runs from Wednesday, July 20th through Saturday, July 23rd.

Tickets can be purchased online at picketwireplayers.org.

Once again, I shout hurrah to Picketwire’s 54-year old community theatre and all the talent and hard work that continues to make it successful.

Related Content:

Picketwire Players Announce Matilda Cast

The Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts is Located at 802 San Juan Ave. in La Junta.



Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.