A happy and entertained audience offered a standing ovation to the cast and crew of Thurston Middle School's musical production of "Matilda" on its opening night, Thursday, April 9, following a stage show in which student actors ably portrayed their eccentric characters with the help of spot-on costumes, colorful live musical accompaniment, and a stage crew that helped move the story seamlessly along.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Matilda (Emma Rocha, right) entrances the librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Lucy Grabowski), with the love story of an escapologist (Jovan Montijo) and his acrobat wife (Talia Rizzi)."Matilda" is based on the book by children's author Roald Dahl. It follows Matilda Wormwood, an extraordinary, bookish girl born into an uncaring, non-bookish family. She attends a school run by the cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull, and is taken under the wing of a compassionate and understanding teacher, Miss Honey.
While middle school seventh and eighth grade students shouldered much of this production, they received significant help from high school students and school staff, who participated as directors and in roles onstage, behind the stage, and on instruments.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Miss Trunchbull (Audrey Fairbanks, left, in green) chastises Matilda (Emma Rocha) in the presence of her classmates and Miss Honey (Ella Causey).Directed by TMS drama teacher Gina Cosimini, the middle school's production of "Matilda" successfully creates a number of emotional arcs that keep the audience engaged with the story and connected to the characters.
In one notable musical number, "Bruce," the students rally around a pupil who is forced by the fearsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull to eat the rest of an enormous chocolate cake as punishment for stealing one slice. The scene encapsulates themes within the story that include standing up for what's right and camaraderie among students united in rebellion, woven with music, humor, and a sense of fantasy.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Mrs. Wormwood (Annie Goodman, center) is Matilda's showy, self-absorbed, and negligent mother.Catch upcoming performances of "Matilda" in the Westwood High School auditorium on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online from Ludus.
Sunny, with a high of 61 and low of 29 degrees. Sunny during the morning, clear in the afternoon and evening,
Thanks Ms. Viti for calling attention to the language regarding the Reimbursement of Expenses as detailed in the Conservation Restriction on 665 Clapboardtree Street.
Thank you, Ms. Viti. That is precisely why the Town is seeking the judge’s interpretation and ruling. Once again, you are reinforcing Mr. Moore’s previous arguments for why the Town and the WLT need to allow the declaratory judgment to play out – so the judge can rule
The Townwide cleanup is wonderful. Unfortunately none of the
Westwood Conservation areas are included.
Hi Ken, if there is an area in town that you'd like to clean, please reach out to us at westwoodenvironment@gmail.com. We will add it to the list so that you can sign up for it.
32° and Clear