Matilda Jr. musical theatre performers (left) Alizay Hickman, Mattea Gabrielson and Ruby Hickman chill out on swings while rehearsing under the direction of Center Stage Studios owner and instructor Kathryn Edwards, centre. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Cue the applause.
That’s all that’s left between now and the curtain falls at three performances of the Matilda Jr. musical at Vic Juba Community Theatre April 21-22.
This high-energy musical involves about 83 young actors and actresses under the direction of Center Stage Studios owner Kathryn Edwards who is sure it will be a hit.
“The talent of the cast really shows and I think Lloydminster’s going to be blown away with the talent they see with this show,” said Edwards.
The musical kicks off next Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. and the close-out show at 7 p.m.
“Our first two shows are sold out; they’ve been sold out for six weeks,” beamed Edwards.
“We decided to add a third show because tickets were selling so well.”
Edwards says because so many kids are involved, they’ve split them off in two casts.
“We’ve got our principal cast that performs in every show and our junior ensemble and our children’s ensemble, we split those off and alternate performances,” she explained.
The musical has an empowerment theme with the main character, a girl named Matilda Wormwood who stands up against all the people who mistreat her in a triumph over evil storyline.
Lashburn’s Ruby Hickman and Mattea Gabrielson from Paradise Valley share Matilda’s character, given it’s such a big role.
“They are pretty much on stage the entire show,” said Edwards. “There’s lots of lines, a lot of memorizing.”
The cast has been rehearsing since November and Ruby, for one, can’t wait for the show to begin and play her part.
“Matilda is a character that I’ve always wanted to play since I was really little and I like how she doesn’t let people treat her wrong. It’s a super fun play,” said the 13-year-old.
Ruby says she’ll be singing lots of songs and has more to learn since she will also perform in the upcoming Kiwanis Lloydminster and District Music Festival.
Her older sister, Alizay plays Matilda’s mother, so the siblings can practise at home.
“I’ve been taking voice lessons from Kathryn since I was five. It’s only my fourth play with Kathryn,” said the youth.
Performing arts run in the Hickman family.
“Our mom did it as well when she was young. She did the Kiwanis music festival as well. I am competing again in the festival this year with six songs.”
Her youngest sister is also in the Matilda Jr. musical as part of the ensemble.
Mattea meanwhile, is following in the footsteps of her older sisters who grew up loving performing arts.
“They’re my role models. I look up to them,” said the 11-year-old.
She says when she’s on stage she’s as cool as a cucumber.
“I’ve been watching people perform since I was very little. There are quite a lot of lines but I know we can do it,” she said with high expectations for the audience too.
“They are going to be amazed. We’re all amazing.”
Edwards has been waiting five years for the junior version to roll out after the Broadway production when COVID hit and she had to put it on the back burner until now.
“Once I knew that we could perform it without having any restrictions, we decided this is the time to do it.”
“It’s wonderful because it shows the children in this show— they are taking a stand against people who are mistreating them and taking a stand saying ‘this isn’t right and we’re going to do something about it’,” said Edwards.
Her studio at 4720-50 St. offers music lessons, voice lessons and musical theatre classes.
