I first encountered Matilda when I was in grade school, and I remember turning pages with delight, enthralled by this little girl whose world was full of cruel adults, awkward children, wondrous moments of magic, and wildly creative stories. There’s a lot of darkness in this tale, and the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic leans into that dark. But at the center is a little girl who discovers her power in the midst of (or because of) injustice and stands up to the tyranny of the Big Bad Guys. 

Because of the stories she reads, Matilda is able to envision a world different from the one in which she lives. As her awareness of right and wrong grows, so do her actions, and what begins as questioning patterns turns into breaking rules and standing up for what’s right. Matilda’s little actions of rebellion embolden others, ultimately sparking the change that shifts the world. 

So it is my pleasure to welcome you into this world of Matilda, where stories have power, the bad guys are clearly the bad guys, and the good guys–regardless of size–come into their power and triumph. It’s a story we all can celebrate right now.

Kendra Norton Dando
Director of Matilda