Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

Matilda faces incredible odds with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The only person who sees her and her gifted personality is her lovable teacher, Miss Honey. Using her extraordinary imagination and psychokinetic powers, Matilda overcomes every obstacle and teaches classmates and grown-ups alike to stand up for themselves and find their magic within. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is a delight for all ages.

Note: This production uses haze and a strobe effect.

Please join us in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

ADDED SHOWS: 7:30 PM, Friday, July 29; 7:30 PM, Saturday, July 30; 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 31

For those with young children, the 60-minute version of Matilda The Musical may be a better fit. Click here to learn more about The Playhouse Performance Academy production of Matilda Jr.

Matilda Extraordinary Stories Contest

Every day, children in our community inspire those around them with their resilience and imagination. The Des Moines Playhouse is looking for children who changed their story. Whether big or small, we want to hear the extraordinary stories they have to share. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s Matilda The musical, this contest is open for nominations of any person 18 years old or younger. Click here to read more and to nominate a young person in your life.

 

Matilda Book Drive

To celebrate Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and the magic of reading, The Des Moines Playhouse is teaming up with the Des Moines Public Library’s outreach and Rosie programs for a book drive. Bring new or gently used books to The Playhouse to be distributed around the community. The library is looking for books at all reading levels – board books, picture storybooks, early readers, chapter books, young adult, and adult. Books can be donated from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, on weekdays in the ticket office, or during performances of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022.

 

Our safety guide has been updated and reflects these main changes: The Playhouse no longer requires masks to attend a performance. However, masks are welcomed! If it makes you more comfortable, please feel free to wear a mask. We understand that individual healthcare is a matter of personal practices and choices.

We do ask that:

  • if you are feeling sick, or
  • have a positive test, or
  • have had exposure to someone who has COVID

please call the ticket office and reschedule your performance. Our refund and exchange policy remains in effect: You have up to 7 days following your performance date to request an exchange or refund.

Please note: The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests. Should circumstances change once again, mask mandates return, or the CDC alters their recommendations, we will follow the most stringent guidelines. Click here to read our changes as of Mar. 2, 2022.

Note: Streaming and video-on-demand rights are not available for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. This show will be in-person only.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

Company

  • Miss Honey

    Mia Alaimo

    Miss Honey
  • Entertainer / Big Kid / Ensemble

    Michael Beasley

    Entertainer / Big Kid / Ensemble
  • Eric

    Shea Beilgard

    Eric
  • Tommy / Bruce understudy / Amanda understudy

    Gemma Brice

    Tommy / Bruce understudy / Amanda understudy
  • Mr. Wormwood

    Scotty Cartwright

    Mr. Wormwood
  • Alice / Nigel understudy / Lavender understudy

    Vivian Rosalie Coleman

    Alice / Nigel understudy / Lavender understudy
  • Big Kid / Ensemble / Mrs. Phelps understudy

    Shelby Dale

    Big Kid / Ensemble / Mrs. Phelps understudy
  • Mrs. Phelps / Miss Trunchbull understudy / Mrs. Wormwood understudy

    Lyndsy Darland

    Mrs. Phelps / Miss Trunchbull understudy / Mrs. Wormwood understudy
  • Big Kid / Ensemble / Miss Honey understudy

    Caitlyn Dean

    Big Kid / Ensemble / Miss Honey understudy
  • Matilda (shared role; performing July 9, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 30)

    Liliana Haaland

    Matilda (shared role; performing July 9, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 30)
  • Michael Wormwood

    Noah Hackbart

    Michael Wormwood
  • Amanda

    Katelyn Henzi

    Amanda
  • Miss Trunchbull

    Katie Hughes

    Miss Trunchbull
  • Big Kid / Ensemble

    Gbomi Kayode

    Big Kid / Ensemble
  • Big Kid / Ensemble

    Carolyn Kester

    Big Kid / Ensemble
  • Hortensia / Matilda understudy

    Hana Shan Khokhar

    Hortensia / Matilda understudy
  • Big Kid / Ensemble

    Michael Lopez

    Big Kid / Ensemble
  • Mrs. Wormwood

    Natalie Jo Lourens

    Mrs. Wormwood
  • Lavender

    Jeanella McKinney

    Lavender
  • Nigel

    Andrew Nelson

    Nigel
  • Big Kid / Ensemble / Michael understudy

    Hudson Pulver

    Big Kid / Ensemble / Michael understudy
  • Big Kid / Ensemble / Assistant Choreographer

    Abby Rogers

    Big Kid / Ensemble / Assistant Choreographer
  • Rudolpho / Doctor / Escapologist

    Christopher Rozenboom

    Rudolpho / Doctor / Escapologist
  • Matilda (shared role; performing July 8, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 29, 31)

    Nina Spahr

    Matilda (shared role; performing July 8, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 29, 31)
  • Acrobat / Big Kid / Ensemble

    Stella Webster

    Acrobat / Big Kid / Ensemble
  • Bruce

    Franny Winn

    Bruce
  • Director

    David A. VanCleave

    Director
  • Music Director

    Brandon Record

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Alison Shafer

    Choreographer
  • Scenic Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer / Properties Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer / Properties Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Sam Stephen

    Lighting Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jenna Darsee

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Jenny Bryant

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    DC Felton

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Production Intern

    Tess Meggison

    Production Intern

Photos/Video

  • Liliana Haaland (pictured here with Katie Hughes as Miss Trunchbull) alternates performances as Matilda with Nina Spahr in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • Nina Spahr alternates performances as Matilda with Liliana Haaland in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

  • Liliana Haaland (pictured here with Katie Hughes as Miss Trunchbull) alternates performances as Matilda with Nina Spahr in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • Nina Spahr alternates performances as Matilda with Liliana Haaland in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • Liliana Haaland (center) alternates performances as Matilda with Nina Spahr in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Revolting children, clockwise from lower left, are Hana Shan Khokhar, Jeanella McKinney, Vivian Rosalie Coleman, Gemma Brice, Shea Beilgard, Andrew Nelson, Katelyn Henzi, and Franny Winn. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • Liliana Haaland (pictured here with Katie Hughes as Miss Trunchbull) alternates performances as Matilda with Nina Spahr in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

  • Nina Spahr alternates performances as Matilda with Liliana Haaland in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: July 24, 2022
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 103rd season, presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, July 8-24, 2022. IRIS's Sensation Team will provide live audio description for the performance Sunday, July 10, and an ASL interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, July 24, 2022. Tickets are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is performed at John Viars Theatre and is sponsored by EMC Insurance Co.

Magical. Mischievous. Miraculous. Matilda faces incredible odds with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The only person who sees her and her gifted personality is her lovable teacher, Miss Honey. Using her extraordinary imagination and psychokinetic powers, Matilda overcomes every obstacle and teaches classmates and grown-ups alike to stand up for themselves and find their magic within. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is a delight for all ages.

Audiences are invited to come to the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

The Playhouse cast includes Mia Alaimo, Michael Beasley, Shea Beilgard, Gemma Brice, Scotty Cartwright, Vivian Rosalie Coleman, Shelby Dale, Lyndsy Darland, Caitlyn Dean, Liliana Haaland, Noah Hackbart, Katelyn Henzi, Katie Hughes, Gbomi Kayode, Carolyn Kester, Hana Shan Khokhar, Michael Lopez, Natalie Jo Lourens, Jeanella McKinney, Andrew Nelson, Hudson Pulver, Abby Rogers, Christopher Rozenboom, Nina Spahr, Stella Webster, and Franny Winn. The show is directed by David A. VanCleave with music direction by Brandon Record and choreography by Alison Shafer. The design team is Nicholas Amundson, scenic designer; Angela Lampe, costume designer/properties designer; and Sam Stephen, lighting designer.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is presented in the John Viars Theatre. The Playhouse no longer requires masks; however masks are welcomed.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For up-to-date information and general guidelines, visit The Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.974.5354.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. Sundays, July 8-24, 2022
Tickets start at $29
Streaming and video-on-demand are not available for Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

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Show Credits

Book by Dennis Kelly
Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Matilda was first commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England on 9 November 2010. It transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End of London on 25 October 2011 and received its US premiere at the Shubert Theatre, Broadway, USA on 4 March 2013.
Orchestrations and Additional Music – Chris Nightingale

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-541-4684, Fax: 212-397-4684, www.MTIShows.com.

Sponsored by

  • EMC