BOOK BY
Dennis Kelly
MUSIC + LYRICS BY Tim Minchin
ORCHESTRATION + ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY
Chris Nightingale
Matilda was first commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England on November 9, 2010. It transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End of London on October 25, 2011 and received its US premiere at the Shubert Theatre, Broadway, USA on March 4, 2013. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com
DIRECTOR – Beth Lambert
MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Robert Laraway
SCENIC DESIGN – Chad Lefebvre
COSTUME DESIGN – Travis M. Grant
LIGHTING DESIGN – Joshua Karp
SOUND DESIGN – Elise DeSeifer
CHOREOGRAPHER – Ariel Grenier
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER – Mollie Sharples
PROPS DESIGN – Nathan Sylvester
STAGE MANAGER – Andrea Swiderski
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER – Linda Neubelt
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Matilda ........................................................................... Bethany Gordon
Miss Agatha Trunchbull ....................................................... Ben Fisher
Miss Honey ................................................................... Jessica Haviland
Mr. Wormwood ...................................................................... Dean Neal
Mrs. Wormwood ...................................................................... Lisa Neal
Michael Wormwood/Ensemble .................................... Brady Dyer
Mrs. Phelps/Ensemble ...................................................... Katie Libold
Bruce .................................................................................. Wesley Pierson
Lavender ........................................................................ Avonlea Winters
Amanda ................................................................................. Emma Bailey
Nigel ..................................................................................... James Browne
Erica .............................................................................. Edith Bambakakis
Alice/Matilda US .............................................................. Evelyn Meyer
Hortensia ........................................................................ Brielle Michaud
Tammy ................................................................................ Agatha Meyer
Escapologist/Doctor/Ensemble .................................... Greg Wiers
Cook/Ensemble .................................................................. Dawn Wiers
Sergei/Ensemble .................................................................. Paul Herard
Acrobat/Ensemble ...................................................... Marissa Steiner
Rudolpho/Ensemble .................................................. Michael Gilbert
Ensemble ................................................................ Ataraxia Campbelll, Hannah Comfort, Kendall DeBoer, Karl Koroski, Abby LaBrash,
PRODUCTION TEAM
Technical Director ..................................................... Juniper Purinton
Production Manager ............................................................ Bryant Cyr
Production Assistant ............................................... Nathan Sylvester
Light Board Operator ............................................. Andrea Swiderski
Sound Board Operator .................................................. Elise DeSeifer
Master Carpenter ................................................................... Ben Fisher
Scenic Painter ............................................................................ Ally Turlo
Assistant Scenic Painters ...... Nicole Solis Clewley, Lucy Hallen
Moving Light Programmer .................................... Brendan Warner
Backstage Crew .......................................................... Katherine White
Spotlight Operators ....................... Lucy Hallen, River Hernandez
ORCHESTRA PIT MUSICIANS
Conductor ..................................................................... Robert Laraway
Trumpet ............................................................................. Blake Peachey
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone .............................. Chase Whelan
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet ........................................................... Ray Libby
Trombone .......................................................................... Amanda Bloss
Cello .......................................................................................... Eliza Meyer
Bass ................................................................................... Andy Buckland
Percussion ........................................................................... Tom Bennett
SPECIAL THANKS
Lizzie Bambakakis, Jackson Leonard, MCI Technical Theatre Class, Skowhegan Opera House, Waterville Public Library, Dana Bushee + Waterville Senior High School
This production is presented with one 15-minute intermission.
The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome to Matilda the Musical at the Waterville Opera House!
From the beginning, our team has been excited to tell this story in a way that highlights both its humor and its heart. Matilda is all about resilience, curiosity, and the idea that even the smallest voice can make a big impact. It’s also about what it means to be truly seen, to speak up for yourself, and to imagine a different path when the one in front of you doesn’t feel right.
We’ve had a great time playing with how kids experience the world—how they use imagination, movement, and emotion to make sense of things. Through shadow play, stylized staging, and a little theatrical magic, we’ve tried to bring Matilda’s point of view to life. Her world is full of wonder and fear and bold ideas— and we’ve leaned into all of it. This story has plenty of fun and fantasy, but also some tough truths—because sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is call out what’s wrong and imagine something better.
In the spirit of Matilda’s love of books and learning, we’ve also been running a community book drive alongside this production. We’ve been collecting new and gently used books to help get more stories into the hands of local kids and families—because we truly believe that access to stories can open up worlds, spark ideas, and empower change.
Thanks so much for being here with us. We hope this show makes you laugh, makes you feel, and maybe even makes you want to go home and do something just a little bit rebellious—in the very best way.
Beth Lambert, Director
ABOUT THE CAST + CREW
Emma Bailey (Amanda) is excited to make her debut in Matilda the Musical. Though this is her first performance at the WOH, she is no stranger to the stage, with experience in numerous school productions, years of dance training, and performances with District 4 Band and KV Honors Choir. Emma hopes this show inspires others to embrace their inner “revolting child” and pursue the arts. She extends heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends, and the talented cast and crew. Enjoy the show!
Edith Bambakakis (Erica) is thrilled to be a part of this production! Past credits include Annie Jr., Robin Hood, Gulliver’s Travels, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk. She is passionate about theater and loves bringing stories to life on stage. She thanks her family, friends, and directors for their support!
James Browne (Nigel) is thrilled to be part of this WOH production. He has previously participated in the ensemble of Elf, as well as several productions with the Lakewood Young Performers. James is in the fifth grade at Kennebec Montessori School, where his favorite subjects are science and art. He also enjoys soccer, skiing, and baseball.
Ataraxia Campbell (Ensemble), known to some as Trista, is thrilled to return to her friends at Waterville Opera House for Matilda, after having the time of her life in the ensemble for The Spongebob Musical. Xia has been involved in music and theatre since the age of nine and in her free time enjoys writing, composing, producing, and recording her own music, as well as crocheting, drawing, fashion, and makeup. She owes everything to her mom, dad, two sisters, and pepere; Kathy Brown at Noteworthy Vocal Studio; her two cats, Rosemary and Noodle; and her dearly beloved partner, Cameron.
Hannah Comfort (Ensemble) has danced at the Waterville Opera House for twenty years and is thrilled to return for her second theatrical performance. As a third-grade teacher at Winslow Elementary, she knows the impact a positive educator can have. She dedicates her performance to the arts teachers who inspired her love for the stage: Mr. Scott, Ms. Pellegrini, Mr. Villavicencio, and many others. She is excited to help tell Matilda’s story and grateful for the support of those who shaped her journey.
Roald Dahl (1916-1990) (Author) was the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and many more of the world’s best-loved children’s stories. He remains one of the world’s greatest storytellers and is celebrated annually by the world’s biggest author-based event, Roald Dahl Day – which is recognized across the globe on September 13th. His first children’s story, James and the Giant Peach, published in 1961, was a huge hit. Every subsequent book became a best-seller. Today, his stories are available in 59 languages, and, by a conservative estimate, he has sold more than 250 million books. Many of these stories have also been adapted for stage and screen,
including the 1971 film classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wes Anderson’s acclaimed Fantastic Mr. Fox, and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award winning production of Matilda the Musical. roalddahl.com, facebook.com/roalddahl, instagram.com/roald_dahl
Kendall DeBoer (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of this fabulous musical! This is her second production with Waterville Opera House, where she previously performed as Karen in The SpongeBob Musical. Her love of theater also informs her job as Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Colby College Museum. Kendall would like to thank her partner, Seth, her mom, Robyn, and her three cats, Peach Pie, Cricket, and Worm— and all of her friends who encourage her to perform!
Elise DeSeifer (Sound Designer) is excited to be a part of Matilda, her favorite musical, and a dream show to work on. She has worked as a sound designer for Waterville Opera House’s past two musicals, Head Over Heels and SpongeBob. Elise previously worked with Opera House Theatre Company in Wilmington, NC and sound designed for Spring Awakening in 2023.
Ben Fisher (Miss Agatha Trunchbull) This is Ben’s second production at the Waterville Opera House, following his performance as Patrick Star in The SpongeBob Musical. Since then, he has also been part of recent productions at the Skowhegan Opera House, including a staged reading of A Christmas Carol as Narrator 1, and as the Director of Lights Up Production’s Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged]. Ben would like to dedicate this performance to his mother and her entire third grade class. He would like to thank the people of Waterville Opera House and his fiancée, Mollie, for their incredible support.
Michael Gilbert (Rudolpho/Ensemble) is very excited to be back on the WOH stage after a break from his last role in Newsies in 2019. He has been in a handful of shows over the years here at the WOH, but most recently has danced on the WOH stage as a dancer from Studio One for Dancers for the last four years. Playing Rudolpho has been a joy where Mike gets to both sing and dance. Mike is thankful for the continued support from his family, friends, and his partner, Scott.
Bethany Gordon (Matilda Wormwood), age 9, is incredibly grateful as this entire experience has been her “dream come true!” Beth is passionate about dance and enjoys taking lessons. Being part of this wonderful cast has been a life-changing experience. She is so thankful for the opportunity to learn from such kind, supportive, and talented staff, and will remain grateful for her new friendships. She would like to thank her family for their support! She hopes you enjoy the show!
Travis M. Grant (Costume Designer) Previously at WOH: The SpongeBob Musical, Head Over Heels, Tuck Everlasting, Hello Dolly!, Annie, Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, The Rocky Horror Show, Into the Woods, Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, Spamalot.
Elsewhere: Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, The Rocky Horror Show, The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain (Maine State Music Theatre); The Nutcracker (Bossov Ballet); Inook and the Sun (U.S. Premiere), Last Easter (New England Premiere, KCACTF/Barbizon Region I National Design Award) (University of Southern Maine), and many more! Travis is a frequent collaborator with RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, JuJubee (Huluween Dragstravaganza, PetSmart National Commercial/ Instagram). Winner of five regional Broadway World Awards for Best Costume Design, including Best Costume Design of the Decade (2010–2020). travismgrant.com
Ariel Grenier (Choreographer) is the owner and artistic director at Between Friends Arts Center—home of Next Generation Theatre and Dance Studio in Brewer, ME and on Faculty for Studio One for Dancers. She received her Bachelors in Psychology/ Early Development with a minor in Dance from the University of Maine. She is a Board Member for Maine Dance Teachers Club and has been a dance and theatre educator for over a decade locally as well as in the UK and Ireland. Ariel’s performance credits include the US Premier of Fame Forever, Young Frankenstein, and Hello, Dolly!, among others. Her recent choreography credits include Head Over Heels, Elf, and The Wizard of Oz, as well as countless productions at local stages. When she is not working with the Next Generation, you’ll catch her globe-trotting with her pup, Ollivander Hamilton. “Thank you WOH for allowing me to never Grow Up.”
Jessica Haviland (Miss Honey) is delighted to be part of this production! She was last seen on the Opera House stage in the Ensemble of The SpongeBob Musical. Some other credits include: Ensemble in Head Over Heels, Emily Hobbs in Elf, Elsa in The Sound of Music, Betsy Foster in Tuck Everlasting, Katherine Plummer in Newsies, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!, Woman 1 in Songs for a New World, and Gangster 2 in Kiss Me, Kate. Thanks to the WOH production team, fellow cast members, and crew for a wonderful show! Sit back and enjoy!!
Paul Herard (Sergei/Ensemble) is honored to play the part of Sergei in Matilda the Musical! This marks his sixteenth production at WOH. Paul has been in such productions as Drinking Habits (Father Chanelle), Tuck Everlasting the Musical (Constable Joe), and Rock of Ages (Dennis Dupree). In real life, Paul is an Associate Broker and founding member of The Pine Tree Group - Powered by EXP Realty. He would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him in his passion for acting and theater production and urges everyone to donate to the Waterville Opera House!
Joshua Karp (Lighting Designer) Josh is a New Jersey-based lighting designer and is thrilled to be making his design debut with the Waterville Opera House. Recent design credits include Spring Awakening, The SpongeBob Musical, Newsies, Shrek the Musical, and The Wiz. @joshuakarpdesigns
Dennis Kelly (Writer: Musical Book) Work for theatre includes Debris, Osama the Hero, After the End, Love and Money, Taking Care of Baby, DNA, Orphans, The Gods
Weep, and The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas. He has written the book for the new musical of Pinocchio which opens at the National Theatre at the end of 2017, and in 2018 his new play Girls and Boys opens at the Royal Court. His plays have been performed worldwide and to date have been translated into nearly forty languages. For television he co-wrote and co-created Pulling and wrote and created Utopia, and for film he wrote the screenplay for Black Sea, directed by Kevin MacDonald. He also wrote the book for the Olivier and Tony winning Matilda the Musical. In 2010 DNA became a set text on the GCSE English Literature syllabus.
Abby LaBrash (Ensemble) is pleased to return to the Waterville Opera House stage, having previously appeared in The Sound of Music, Elf, and SpongeBob musicals. Like Matilda, Abby loves to read! She holds a degree in English and Women’s Studies. Abby would like to thank her family and friends for their support, and hopes the show reminds you that “even if you’re little, you can do a lot!”
Beth Lambert (Director) is honored to have directed this production of Matilda the Musical. She has directed several productions for the Waterville Opera House, most recently, SpongeBob the Musical. Beth is a trained actor/director, vocalist, and educator, and holds degrees from Lawrence University Conservatory and Harvard University. Beth has acted, directed, and taught all over the world including the Arcola Theatre in London and was a founding member of a “Theatre of the Oppressed” inspired school in Pune, India. Beth is grateful for the support of her family, Greg, Lillian, and Paige.
Rob Laraway (he/him) (Musical Director) is an Orono-based musician and music director. This is his first show with Waterville Opera House, and he’s had a blast working with the many talented folks in this community! In the past year, he was both Music Director and an actor in multiple runs of Acadia Repertory Theatre’s Souvenir, was Music Director for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play with Penobscot Theatre Company (PTC), and contributed an original piano performance to the sound design of PTC’s Birthday Candles. He also directed the music for Newsies and Seussical Jr. with PTC Dramatic Academy. Outside of theatrical work, Rob composes and performs regularly in the Bangor area in many styles.
Chad Lefebvre (Scenic Designer) works as the lighting programmer and designer for Carnival Cruise Line, NCL, Kinky Boots, Amazing Grace National Tour, ESPN Sports Center, ESPN NFL, and Rachael Ray. Chad’s recent projects include NCLs lighting design for Press Your Luck Live and Carnivals Texas Lonestar Tailgate. Previously at the Opera House: scenic and lighting design for Rock of Ages, Shrek the Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, Rocky Horror Show, Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Story, Annie, The Producers, Seussical, Hello, Dolly!, Wizard of Oz, and Newsies. chadlefebvre.com
Katie Libold (Mrs. Phelps/Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the Waterville Opera House for her seventeenth production! Some of her favorite roles at WOH
include Justice Charlier in Rock of Ages, Mayzie La Bird in Seussical, Lily St. Regis in Annie, and Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein. Tons of love and thanks to her castmates and the production crew. Katie is a lifelong bookworm (her BA is in English!), and Matilda was her favorite book growing up. This show is for that little girl and all the others like her. Forever love to Keith, Ahsoka, and Vader!
Agatha Meyer (Tammy) is very excited to be in the production of Matilda this year. She has been in other theater performances at her school and was in the ensemble for last year’s production of Elf. In her free time, Agatha enjoys taking dance classes at LSD, playing the clarinet in band, and spending time with her friends and family. She loves being on stage and showing off her theatrical talents. She is so excited to be back on the WOH stage.
Evelyn Meyer (Alice/Matilda US) is very thrilled and excited to be in the musical Matilda. This is Evelyn’s third show at WOH. You may have seen her in Elf or as Gretl in The Sound of Music. Evelyn also likes to play classical guitar and trumpet, dance at LSD, play games with her family, and knit with her sister Agatha. Evelyn wants to thank her mom for playing in the pit and helping her prepare for the show, her sister for supporting and being in the show with her, her dad for always being there and keeping her laughing, and her family, teachers, and classmates for cheering her on!
Brielle Michaud (Hortensia) is thrilled to be performing in her first-ever Waterville Opera House production! She has made so many wonderful connections with the cast of Matilda! Her biggest passion has always been music and theater. She has performed in previous roles as Jane in Mary Poppins, Jovie in Elf, and Willy Wonka in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory through Winslow Elementary productions with her first theater teacher, Ms. Whitney. She would like to thank her music and chorus teachers (Ms. Vigue and Mrs. Maroon) for helping her get this far. She would also like to thank her family for their continuous support!
Tim Minchin (Writer: Music + Lyrics) is a musician, actor, comedian, writer and director. He’s toured extensively in the US, UK and Australia, performing solo, with bands, and with symphony orchestras. He’s released five DVDs, the most recent recorded with the Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Screen acting credits include Robin Hood Origins (2018), Secret River (2015), and Californication (Season 6 - 2013). Stage acting credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Sydney Theatre Company) and Jesus Christ Superstar (UK/Australia tours). Tim has written extensively for theatre and is the composer-lyricist of Matilda the Musical (with Dennis Kelly) and Groundhog Day the Musical (with Danny Rubin).
Dean Neal (Mr. Wormwood) is excited to return to WOH after a ten-year hiatus. Previous WOH appearances include Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Into
the Woods, once as the Baker and once as Wolf/Prince Charming. Dean is Director of Vocal Music at Nokomis Regional High in Newport directing Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combo 1, assistant director for Show Choir and technical theatre director for drama. Dean would like to thank his wife Lisa for “encouraging” him to take the leap into musical theater twenty years ago.
Lisa Neal (Mrs. Wormwood) has had the privilege of bringing many characters to life over the past 35 years. The last time she was on the boards at the Opera House she played the Witch in Into the Woods. Lisa is excited to share the stage again with her real-life husband, Dean, in Matilda. Lisa works as a Theatre Arts Educator at Nokomis Regional High School where she is the artistic director for both the Drama Program and the Show Chorus. Lisa and Dean live in Palmyra with their Host daughter from the Czech Republic, Dani.
Wesley Pierson (Bruce) is a freshman at Temple Academy. He is fourteen years old and has performed in around twenty shows since he started acting in 2019. Some of his favorite shows that he’s performed in include Newsies Jr (Les), The Addam’s Family (Pugsly), and The Jungle Book (Mowgli). He also made an appearance as Young Jack in the Hallmark Christmas movie A Downeast Christmas. Bruce has been a dream role of Wesley’s for years, and now he gets to perform as one of his favorite characters in front of you! And don’t worry, he’s hungry!
Mollie Sharples (Assistant Choreographer) is thrilled to make her production team debut at the Waterville Opera House! She has previously performed in the Waterville Opera House productions of Oklahoma, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, SPAMalot, and many, many, many Bossov Ballet Theatre Nutcrackers. She is grateful to the cast, crew, and creative team for their dedication and enthusiasm, and to her fiancé, Ben Fisher, for encouraging her to get back in the studio. Enjoy the show!
Marissa Steiner (Acrobat/Ensemble) is truly humbled to share the stage with these fantastic performers and honored to work with the many talented professionals who made this show come to life—it takes a village. This is Marissa’s second opportunity to perform at the Waterville Opera House (Rock of Ages) and she is so excited to share this story with you all! Marissa would like to thank you for being here and supporting this amazing community. Enjoy!
Ally Turlo (Scenic Artist) has been a scenic artist and designer for the Waterville Opera House for the past year and a half. They graduated from Syracuse University where they earned their BFA in Theater Design and Technology with a focus in scenic design. Many thanks to Nicole and Lucy for their help and enthusiasm!
Dawn Wiers (Cook/Ensemble) has been part of the Central Maine community theater family for fifteen years, appearing in eleven productions. This is her fourth musical at WOH. Her favorite roles are those in any production in which she gets to share the
stage with her husband, Greg. Dawn thanks the Matilda production team for being the most attentive and cohesive she has ever worked with. She also thanks Greg, her favorite scene partner, on and off stage. Enjoy the show!
Greg Wiers (Escapologist/Doctor/Ensemble) has been stumbling onto community theater stages for the past fifteen years, occasionally remembering his lines, but always bringing the drama. Family drama is preferred as he loves sharing the stage with his wife, Dawn, and any family members who will join him on stage. Favorite family-filled shows include Gypsy, Footloose, Damn Yankees, Young Frankenstein, Seussical, and most recently, as Angus Tuck in Tuck Everlasting. He thanks his family for their support over the years and is excited to again join Dawn for his tenth WOH production as part of this amazing cast and crew of Matilda.
Avonlea Winters (Lavender) Avonlea’s passion for singing and dancing started before she could walk! She actively participates in her school’s chorus and recently showcased her talent as the Candy Man in Lakewood Theater’s Wonka Jr. during the summer of 2024. She also participated in Missoula Children’s Theatre’s rendition of Sleeping Beauty this winter. When she’s not performing, Avonlea enjoys diving into books, honing her skills on the piano, and snuggling her two kitties, Watson and Mr. Holmes. Her dream is to someday perform on Broadway!
