‘Matilda the Musical’ heading to Garden Theatre

A beloved Roald Dahl story character is set to hit the stage at the Garden Theatre in April.

“Matilda the Musical” will be featured at the Garden April 24 to May 24 with an ASL-interpreted performance set for May 7 and a sensory-friendly performance scheduled for May 9. The upcoming musical will be directed by Garden Theatre Artistic Director Joseph C. Walsh. It’ll be the first production he’s directed at the Garden. Tickets are $35 to $37 and can be purchased at the box office, online at gardentheatre.org or by phone at 407-877-4736. Discounts are available for seniors, youth, military and groups of 10 or more.

“I got into theatre because I love sharing stories,” Walsh said. “What is so exciting about tackling Matilda is that it is a celebration of the powers of storytelling and imagination.”

The musical follows the classic tale of Matilda; an extraordinary young girl who is unloved by her parents, tormented by her school’s headmistress and equipped with a vivid imagination and voracious appetite for reading. With the help of a caring teacher, Matilda’s magic appears as she takes charge of her own destiny.

“During the course of the play, Matilda learns that ‘even though you are little you can do a lot,” Walsh said. “She harnesses her incredible imagination and gift of storytelling to not only rewrite her own story but also to inspire those around her to find and use their voices for the greater good. I hope that by sharing her story we will challenge our audience to bravely accept ownership over their own unique stories and use them to build communication, community, and advocate for those who have yet to be offered the opportunity to share their stories.”