1. President Hamid Karzai really doesn’t like the United States.
2. Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito might be getting back together.
3. There is a musical based on Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
4. The musical is really really good.
5. Tim Minchin wrote this musical and it’s for kids.
This week, I will writing about my new favorite musical, Matilda: The Musical. I watch Glee, and this may make you question my taste in, well everything, but Matilda is flawless. Just flawless, let me explain. The musical is adapted from Rolad Dahl's children's book of the same name, about a young genius, neglected by her family, who must stand up for herself and stop her principal, the Trunchbull's, reign of tyranny. She also helps her teacher, Miss Honey, regain her true inheritance from her wicked aunt. Along the way, she makes good friends, with students and teachers alike, and in the end she finds the loving home she's always wanted. I loved this book as a child and many of my friends did too, like Becca. It's only now that the text truly disturbs me, the amount of child abuse in this children's book is kind of terrifying, but I still love it. So, when I found out the West End musical was coming to Broadway this Spring I got super excited.
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Matilda: The Musical, premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon at the Royal Shakespeare Company. The book is written by Dennis Kelly and the music and lyrics were written by Tim Minchin. After success at the RSC, the production transferred to the West End in 2011. The show won a record breaking SEVEN Olivier Awards in 2012, and now the show is currently in previews at the Shubert Theatre in New York. I bet it will sweep the Tonys this year, and if not eligible this year, it will next year. The musical's plot closely follow the book's plot. Today, I shall review its music.
Act 1 opens with the song, "Miracle", where schoolchildren discuss their parent's adoration, compared to Matilda whose parents thinks she is a louse. They believe she less important than their reality tv shows. I like this song, Minchin does a good job setting up the story and not only introducing but characterizing the characters. We understand their motives and emotions.
Next up, is "Naughty", a solo by Matilda, where she decides to get back at her bullying parents. This is one of my favorite songs in the show because its fun and has references to the classics like, Romeo and Juliet. Matilda begins to stand up for herself and I really can't articulate how funny and cute this song is.
Then, it's the show-stopping "School Song", which very cleverly uses the alphabet throughout its lyrics. Just take a listen. It's so cool. Did you catch the alphabet? Did you? Man, Tim Minchin is a lyrical genius. And its fun to listen to! Plus, it helps introduce the audience to Matilda's main antagonist, the sadistic schoolmaster.
Next is "Pathetic" which admittedly gets lost in the hoopla of awesome that is the first act. But it still outlines Miss Honey's motives clearly and the song has a clear purpose, truly helping the plot move forwards! Also the foreshadowing.
The fifth track is the track introducing the Trunchbull, our antagonist and it is awesome! It's called "The Hammer." Bertie Carvel's (Trunchbull) vocals and Minchin's lyrics. A dream team. This is actually one of my favorite songs in the show. It introduces the Trunchbull and her philosophy very well, plus it showcases her relationship with Miss Honey well. And again I say, foreshadowing! Wow. It's just so choice. I'd recommend that you actually listen to this one.
After, "The Hammer", comes Matilda's mother's time to shine, also her dance partner is there too. This number is loud, and its appropriately titled, "Loud." Its gives a nice comparison of what Matilda's has, neglectful, vain parents to what she wants, a nice and caring parent, like Miss Honey.
Next, after Miss Honey's confrontation with the Wormwood's, is the song "This Little Girl." Its somewhat like a ballad, but it is brilliant. The lyrics themselves stand out and build off of Miss Honey's first number, "Pathetic". In this song, she reaffirms that she is powerless and pathetic, but she will do all she can to help the neglected Matilda. Maybe its the lyrics, or the vocals, or the orchestration, but this song gives me the chills. Definitely a highlight of Act 1. Also the musical foreshadowing!!!!
Now, it is time for the Act 1 Finale, entitled "Bruce." If you've seen or read Matilda, you may remember that a kid named Bruce ate the Trunchbull's cake and has to eat a whole cake. I like this song, Carvel remains a flawless Trunchbull and its super catchy, but for some reason it doesn't stick out to me. But its still a great song, it just doesn't pop out quite as much as "The Hammer", but its still a really good group number.
Now we open Act 2 with "Telly". It's a quick little song about the pros of tv and the cons of books. Its a funny and charming way to start the Act, and considering that the show is much more serious in the second act. The humor is appreciated.
After "Telly", the act really gets going with "When I Grow Up", which is my second favorite song in the show. It's childish, yet thought provoking. It reminds me off elementary school and what I thought being an adult meant. Its nostalgic in all the right ways. Its fantasy and reality meeting in the middle to create something truly awe inspring.
Get ready to get punched in the gut, because "I'm Here" is a really effective tearjerker. It is also the song that most directly deals with child abuse in the show. It's pretty heavy, its the story of the Trunchbull and Miss Honey, and if you know the story already, you must know exactly what you're walking into here. A father and daughter comfort each other in the midst of an evil aunt's abuse, the song ends with a crescendo in a fit of rage. There are almost no words for this one, every performance rips aparts your heart.
After the roller coaster that is "I'm Here", comes "The Smell of Rebellion". Like "Bruce", its a solid group number, but not the show's most memorable. However, Carvel and the ensemble really do bring their a game. This could never be called a bad song.
Now, it is time for my favorite song, "Quiet." My love of this song is more personal than anything really, but I just know exactly how Matilda feels during this ballad. It is like Tim Minchin grabbed my very own soul and turned it into one of the most beautiful songs in musical theatre. Minchin is a genius, he may be an "Offensive comedian", but the man is really truly a gifted genius.
We have arrived at "My House", another tearjerker sung by Miss Honey. Its really about how Miss Honey has overcome the abuse inflicted by Trunchbull and how she is content with her life as it is. It brings her story full circle, she is Matilda's beacon of hope and better parent than her parent's ever will be. Not to mention the beauty of Lauren Ward's voice, thank goodness she and Carvel hopped the pond for Broadway.
We have reached the penultimate song, "Revolting Children." Its loud and it is UNASHAMED, which makes it absolutely perfect. It's a solid song sung by the children celebrating their freedom, essentially it is their battle cry, Plus it has some fun spelling, just like the "School Song."
And finally, we have reach the finale, "When I Grow Up (Reprise)" which contains all the charm and nostalgia of the first "When I Grow Up." It has the spunk of "Naughty" and kindly reminds us all to get involved in out own lives.
All I really have to say about this show and its soundtrack is that is that it is amazing! Tim Minchin is a lyrical genius, and that's all for now.
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