Greensburg Civic Theatre kids' troupe romps through 'Matilda Jr.'

Matilda Wormwood is a precocious little English girl born to parents who are neglectful, anti-intellectual and possibly criminal.

At school, her classmates and kindly teacher are bullied by the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

When Matilda discovers that her angry feelings unleash telekinetic powers, she sets out to use them to teach Miss Trunchbull a lesson and make things better for the whole school.

That’s the premise of “Matilda the Musical Jr.,” the upcoming production of the Greensburg Civic Theatre’s Greasepaint Players.

“Matilda” will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday in the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road.

Based on the 1988 children’s book by British writer Roald Dahl, the musical is called “a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination” by the theatrical licensing agency Music Theatre International.

Adriana Lavery, 8, of Connellsville is the right actor for the title part, said director Becky Ziegler-Koch.

“She’s fairly new to theater; this is only her third role,” Ziegler-Koch said. “But she’s a little spitfire with a big voice and a lot of personality.”

It’s just the thing needed for a character often said to embody the concept of “girl power.”

Likewise, the director said, Penn Trafford High School senior Phelan Newman captures the cruel essence of Miss Trunchbull, despite her young age.

“She’s a well-seasoned actor and a lot of fun to watch,” Ziegler-Koch said.

Indeed, the entire young cast of 28 is doing a “fantastic” job, she added.

“The songs are fast tempo and wordy with a lot of strange time signatures. There’s a lot of fancy choreography,” Ziegler-Koch said.

Through the 1-month rehearsal process, “they’ve put in a lot of time, and it shows,” she said.

Other actors in lead roles include Sophia Kochis of Connellsvile as Matilda’s teacher, Miss Honey; and Ben Ament of Latrobe and Lydia Kurek of Unity as Matilda’s parents.

The musical has a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. Kelli Wilson of Herminie is choreographing the Greasepaint Players production.

Tickets are $15 in advance (plus fees) or $17 at the door, subject to availability. GCT recommends that masks be worn inside the theater.

For tickets and information, call 724-836-8000 or visit ggccevents.org.