"Matilda" extends through July 25

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS—July 12, 2021—TheatreSquared adds additional performances of Matilda: The Musical, on stage at the brand new Fayetteville Public Library (FPL) Event Center. The show now will run one additional week, closing on July 25. 

The show’s extension comes after a wildly successful opening two weeks of performances, which drew the largest audiences in T2’s history. To date Matilda is T2’s largest production all-around, with a 33-member cast, nine-member orchestra and more than 15 crew members behind the scenes. 

This milestone for T2 is made possible by FPL’s New Event Center which has a large audience capacity as well as state-of-the-art amenities. Matilda is the first professional theatre production on FPL’s new stage since the building’s expansion opened in January 2021. 

Over 9,000 tickets have already been sold for this limited run. “We are thrilled by the turnout and the overwhelming positive response to Matilda. Everyone has been loving the show,” executive director Martin Miller said. “We are extending because we didn’t want anyone to miss out on this magical performance.”

“As Matilda says, ‘to change the world, it takes a little genius,’” said T2 artistic director Bob Ford. “Partnering with the library to showcase this award-winning musical felt like a stroke of genius. With the amount of sheer joy, musicality, humor and action in this show—not to mention sticking it to the authority—every human being in this audience will feel something they haven’t felt in far too long.”

“To see this space lit up for a spectacular musical that celebrates the adventure of reading and the power of imagination—it exemplifies the dream for this space that began almost a decade ago,” said David Johnson, Fayetteville Public Library executive director. “And, in keeping with our mission to provide free and public access to a variety of experiences, our patrons and community members can check out one of ten free tickets to any show.”

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than the Fayetteville Public Library,” added Miller.

Based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, the five-time Tony Award winner Matilda is an international phenomenon. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who dares to change her own destiny. A classic underdog story, Matilda’s journey sets an incredible example of how to stand up for what is right—no matter your stature. Directed by Aimée Hayes  and starring young actors Leanne Parks and Piper Wallace alternating in the role of Matilda, this will be a riotous, inspiring experience for the whole family.

With song, dance and a little magic, Matilda tells the story of a young Matilda Wormwood, a bookworm born into a family that does not understand her. Matilda soon learns that it’s more than her love of literature that makes her different: she has the power to move objects with her mind. Matilda’s life is changed by one incredible teacher, Miss Honey, who takes a special interest in her many gifts. Together they unite against the evil headmistress Miss Trunchbull to discover that love and acceptance can conquer all. 

Matilda the Musical has received widespread critical acclaim and box office success, winning seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical—currently tied with Hamilton for the most Olivier awards ever won by a single show.  The musical also won five Tony Awards for the Broadway production, including the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly.

Matilda joins a full summer of productions for TheatreSquared after its return to live performance with American Mariachi by José Cruz González beginning August 4. This full-force return to in-person performance comes after a year of streaming work featured among the “Top Theatre of 2020” by The New York Times along with recognition as an “outstanding drama company” by The Wall Street Journal.

The creative team for Matilda includes Jason Burrow (music director), Kenny Personett (choreographer), Martin Andrew (scenic designer), Margaret Weedon (costume designer), Weston Wilkerson (lighting designer) and David Rigamer (sound designer).

Taking the lead role of Matilda are Leanne Parks, most recently seen with the First National tour of School of Rock, and Arkansas' own Piper Wallace, who recently performed in a national streaming production of Les Miserablés. Broadway veteran Elisabeth Evans (T2’s Once the Musical, Sound of Music—First National Tour) joins the cast as Miss Honey and Drew Johnson (T2’s Shakespeare in Love, Disfarmer at Arkansas New Play Festival) plays the classic villain Miss Agatha Trunchbull. Completing the cast are 15 adult national and local actors as well as 16 youth actors. Each performance is accompanied by a live, nine-member orchestra. 

Tickets
Tickets for Matilda: The Musical range from $17-$60. All fees are included, with no additional charges at checkout. Reduced-price tickets are available through the Lights Up! Program, as well as to students and patrons under 30 years of age. Ten free tickets per show are available for checkout through the Fayetteville Public Library. 

Subscription packages for TheatreSquared include full seven-play packages starting at $119, with four-to-six-play flex packages starting at $69. Benefits for season ticket holders also include savings of up to 20%, free unlimited exchanges, discounted reserved parking, and same-day discounts in the Commons Bar/Cafe and other T2 Restaurant & Hotel Partners. 

Through T2’s Lights Up! For Access program, supported by the Walmart Foundation, SNAP benefit recipients can purchase $1 tickets, while students and patrons under the age of 30 can purchase $10 tickets. For more information, visit theatre2.org/lights-up. Fully subsidized, free tickets are also available for clients of a number of local community service organizations.  

Subscriptions and single tickets can be reserved by calling TheatreSquared at (479) 777-7477 or by visiting theatre2.org/subscribe.