Matilda at the Ahmanson: A Fantastical Glimpse into the Mind of Roald Dahl

Earlier this week, the hubbs and I attended Opening Night of Matilda The Musical at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical, which has garnered numerous international awards and won four Tony Awards, is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

I have been dying to see Matlida ever since I heard all the Tony Award buzz and was delighted to finally see it – it was definitely worth the wait! What a fun, entertaining, whimsical and uplifting show! The show centered around Matilda, a brilliant little girl with a passion for reading and storytelling which she uses to checkout from her less than optimal home life. Most of the play takes us on a fantastical journey into Matilda’s fun, clever, zany, over-the-top stories and into her imagination. But the lines of reality and imagination become blurred towards the end of the story when we learn that her grandiose stories are actually based on reality and that happy endings really do come true.

Given that this story was penned by the brilliant Roald Dahl, it was no surprise that this whimiscal playful story reminded me a bit of everyone’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also written by Roald Dahl. His brilliant mind takes us magical child-like journeys that feel other-worldly and fairytale-like on one hand, and very real and honest on the other.

I also absolutely loved the characters of Miss Trunchbull (played by a man) and Matilda’s parent’s Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood – all campy, larger than life, entertaining and super fun to watch characters. This show is a feel good, fun, makes-you-smile kind of show that younger theater goers are sure to love. If you want a fun, lighthearted, feel good activity to do with the family this summer, go see Matilda, you are in for a real treat!

Disclosure: The Ahmanson invited me to opening night of Matilda for editorial coverage, but all opinions and whimsical musings are my own.