Front Row seated, L to R: Alan Van Zee, Carol Culver
Second Row: Larry Richardson, Fia Gaines, Karlie Goldberg, Rain Barrett Verd, Savannah Hubbard
Third Row: Ron Soderstom, Sabryn Rudinoff, Simon Oyama, Abby Winters, Travis Williamson, Trinity Grace Muana, Kayman Addison, Eva Light, Tawna Bensaid, Erin Gaines, Taj Gutierrez
Fourth Row: Max Richardson, Echo Rohner, Natalie Claytor, Anastasia Gatlin, Amber Jardin, Veda Parker, Leilani Goldberg
Back Row: Jacob Lester, Margaret McLeod, Eve Parker, Isaac Dubey, Charles O’Neill
Hawaii Children’s Theatre Announces: Matilda the Musical!
Hawaii Children’s Theatre announces the upcoming fall production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical! An incredible and gifted girl takes control of her own destiny in this Tony Award- winning musical based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl. Filled with heart, hope and determination, Matilda the Musical will enchant audiences and is guaranteed to make magic on the stage!
Matilda is a full-scale Broadway musical production directed and choreographed by Carol Culver, who has been working with Hawaii Children’s Theatre for many years. She directed their recent productions of “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. This one promises to be lots of fun with wonderful songs, lots of dancing, a live orchestra and exciting sets and special effects. Carol is a long-time dance instructor on Kauai. She has Broadway chops too, having been involved in the Broadway version of “Grease” as well the much-loved film version. She is complemented by a team of seasoned theatre professionals including Alan van Zee (Musical Director), Dolly Kanekuni (Vocal Coach), Taj Gutierrez and Bailey Hutton (Stage Managers) and Debra Blachowiak (Producer).
The cast of Matilda the Musical features 29 cast members from the Kaua’i community. The very difficult role of Matilda Wormwood will be double cast and played by Rain Barrett Verd and Karlie Goldberg. Matilda’s classmates will be played by Kayman Addison, Fia Gaines, Savannah Hubbard, Eva Light, Trinity Grace Muana, Simon Oyama, Travis Williamson and Abby Winters. The Big Kids by Kala’e Abrams, Anastasia Gatlin, Leilani Goldberg, Amber Jardin, Jacob Lester, Margaret McLeod, Charles O’Neill, Eve Parker, Veda Parker and Echo Rohner. Erin Gaines and Taj Gutierrez have the roles of the teacher Miss Honey and Headmistress Trunchbull. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood will be played by Larry Richardson and Sabryn Rudinoff. Rounding out the cast in a variety of fun characters are Tawna Bensaid, Natalie Claytor, Isaac Dubey, Max Richardson, and Ron Soderstrom.
HCT’s hallmark is a diverse cast integrating both experienced and novice actors, with an educational production process where students and adults build valuable theatre skills in all aspects of production, while building confidence and a sense of teamwork along the way.
The show is scheduled to perform over three weekends at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall from November 15th through December 1st, with Friday and Saturday shows scheduled at 7:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available at the door for $15 adults, $12 seniors students (children 3 and under are free). Advance tickets will be available for $12 at ticket outlets from and on our website. Ticket outlets are: Times in Lihue, Kalaheo Cafe, Progressive Expressions/Billa Bong in Koloa, Papayas in Kapaa, Healthy Hut in Kilauea, and Magic Dragon Toy and Art Supply in Princeville. Groups may contact the organization for discounted tickets (25 persons or more). Tickets from the cast are $10.
The community is encouraged to support a special benefit matinee performance on Sunday, November 17th for Kauai food banks with $6 tickets from the cast and at the door along with a donation of food or money.
Hawaii Children’s Theatre productions are made possible through a broad range of community support and thousands of volunteer hours. Many opportunities remain to support the production in its final months of preparation. Those interested to find out more about how to support Matilda the Musical and Hawaii Children’s Theatre including donations, set sponsorship, program advertising or volunteering are invited to contact HCT Administrator, Erin Gaines at the HCT office, 808-246-8985 or log onto www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.org.
Check out our behind the scenes of a Hawaii Children’s Theatre Fall Musical Production!
