“Revolting Children, living in revolting times”
TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year, “Matilda The Musical”, opens at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts April 25 for a limited two week run through May 7.
The show is based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl who also wrote classics children’s stories like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and many others.
“Matilda The Musical” is directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus (“God of Carnage”), who helms this production with a book by Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin. The show is the winner of over 70 international awards including four Tony Awards and a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical.
Matilda is a precocious five year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life.
The title role is played by three actresses; Gabby Gutierrez, Jaime MacLean and Jenna Weir. The principal cast also features (alphabetically): Jennifer Bowles (Miss Honey), Dan Chameroy (Miss Trunchbull), Keisha T. Fraser (Mrs. Phelps), Matt Harrington (Mr. Wormwood) and Darcy Stewart (Mrs. Wormwood).
It was a pleasure to sit down with Jennifer Bowles for this exclusive Hotspots Interview. Bowles is originally from Fort Lauderdale and is looking forward to seeing friends and family,
Were you always an actor even as a child?
No, I absolutely wasn’t. I was a ballet dancer when I was little and very shy. No one ever expected me to become an actor.
What was your first professional/paid gig?
I did a tour of the musical “Wonderful Town” when I was just out of college.
When did you know performing would be your career?
In high school I made the transition from ballet to theater and that’s when I knew I wanted to do this as a living.
What has been your favorite role other than this one?
My favorite show that I have been in was “American Idiot.” It was my first Broadway show and there is something magical about your first Broadway show. The actors in that production were very special, and it felt like we were a bunch of misfits doing this awesome rock show on Broadway.
What is your fantasy role?
It would be playing Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors.” I played Audrey in high school and would love to play her as an adult.
What should the south Florida audiences expect from this production of “Matilda”?
I think they should expect it to be different than the movie as its much more like the book. However the show has added plotline, so it goes farther than the book. It does go much deeper and darker and it is one of the most beautiful shows I have ever done or seen. The music is brilliant and it’s an important show as it’s about a couple people who believe their voices can’t be heard. Then, they meet this little girl who helps them. The theme of the show is “Even though I am [only] one person I can still make a difference.”
The Ensemble of “Matilda The Musical” includes Jacob Anderson, Gabby Beredo, Darren Burkett, Jacqueline Burtney, Eric Craig, Talia Consentino, Stephen Diaz, Gregory Diaz IV, Blake Ferrante, Keisha T. Fraser, Heidi Friese, Michael D. Jablonski, Jim Kaplan, Marisa Kennedy, Anthony MacPherson, Tyler McKenzie, Soren Thayne Miller, Gray Monczka, Brittany Nicholas, Abigail Nicholson, Justin Packard, Molly Richardson, Kim Sava, Liz Schmitz, Brandon Stonestreet and Isabella Stuebing.
The production has sets and costumes by Tony Award winner Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Tony Award winner Hugh Vanstone, and sound by Simon Baker.
Tickets are available at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, BrowardCenter.org or call 954-462-0222. Ticket prices start at $35.
For more information go to MatildaTheMusical.com/tour or MatildaTheMusical.com
