Those of you who went and saw Elf this past winter know that Olney Theatre Center has become a real hotspot for high-quality, professional theatre. This summer, they’re mounting a new production, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, directed by Peter Flynn, who earned rave reviews for his recent production of Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre downtown. Matilda is that rare creature: a musical that entertains both kids and adults, in keeping with the spirit of the original book.
From Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, comes another unlikely hero: Matilda Wormwood. Born to parents who prize their own ignorance and disdain books, learning, and any information they can’t get from television, Matilda somehow manages to emerge…a genius. Maybe even a magical one. However, she and the rest of the school are under the tyrannical rule of a deliciously devious villain, principal Agatha Trunchbull. Matilda embraces the fearful and terrifying moments of childhood with humor, hard-earned optimism, and astoundingly witty musical numbers. Songs like “Miracle,” “Naughty,” and “Revolting Children” will ring true to adults, and belong in the survival kit of any child making their way through pre-adolescence and beyond.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical runs at Olney Theatre Center June 21 – July 21. Tickets are $54 – $99 and can be purchased online or through the Box Office. You can also try winning 4 tickets to the performance on Saturday, June 29, at 8pm through the giveaway below.
When you go, bring a new children’s book to donate!
One of the themes in Matilda is how books can change your life, how stories can inspire us to reach for our dreams, and how important it is to have adults in your life who can lift you up. That’s why Olney Theatre is partnering with two area organizations Velocity of Books and Maryland Book Bank to make sure every kid in our region has access to the stories that can help them be their truest selves. Bring a new children’s book with you when you come to see Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at Olney Theatre. They’ll deliver the books to local organizations that promote literacy and educational opportunity in our region.
Giveaway: For a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at Olney Theatre Center on Saturday, June 29, at 8pm, simply leave a comment below naming your or your child’s favorite children’s book. Get an extra chance to win by entering on the ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>KidFriendly DC Facebook Page, too! This giveaway will run through June 23, 2019, then a winner will be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter. Good luck!
Eloise
My son’s favorite Roald Dahl book is the BFG, but my daughter is a Matilda in the making.
Harry Potter books
My daughter’s favorite book is wonder
The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation
Where The Sidewalk Ends
The Giving Tree is a favorite of everyone in our family.
Magic Treehouse
Harry Potter
The Gruffalo is the favorite in our family.
My daughters love Harry Potter and the Unwanted books – looking forward to seeing this production!
James and Giant Peach
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Harry Potter & Dork Diaries (have to represent both girls of mine) 😊
All the Roald Dahl books, listen to them over and over on road trips also.
Room on the Broom!
Both of my boys love the “Origami Yoda” series.
She loves all the Harry Potter books!
Charlie and chocolate factory and others by Roald Dahl.
Elephant and Piggie
My daughter watched the Matilda movie at her birthday party a month or so ago and read the book after that, so she would really love this! If this isn’t her favorite book, I’d be surprised.
Matilda is definitely in the top!
The BFG is a definite favorite.
Curious George
My daughter’s favorite book is actually Matilda! I think she has read it at least a couple dozen times!
Dork Diaries
James and the Giant Peach
Hello!
My daughter’s favorite book is The Runaway Bunny.
Thanks for the opportunity and the great info.
My 6 yo loves the princess in black books, and my 9 yo loves Harry Potter.
Goodnight Moon
My 4 year old loves Star Wars and Dr. Seuss books.
We love Piggie and Elephant!
We love piggie and elephant in our house!
The BFG is my favorite. My son’s favorite children’s book is My Side of the Mountain.
The Ramona series and also Ivy and Bean
Harry Potter and Matilda of course
All of Dahl books – sleeper hit is The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me.
The Lorax
My child’s favorite book is The Gruffalo
My son’s favorite children’s book(s) are the “Big Nate” series.
Definitely fantastic mr Fox or any David Walliams books
My sons current favorite is Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Beanie and June
Our daughters favorite book right now is “The Gruffalo”!!
Matilda is my son’s favorite book. We were fortunate enough to get tickets to the musical when it was at the Kennedy Center, I would love to take his younger brother now . . . guess we will have to start reading it to him!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories are great favorites here – along with anything by Roald Dahl!
The BFG
Even as my daughter gets older Dr Seuss is always a joy to read.
George’s marvelous medicine!
My daughter likes Fancy Nancy and my son Fly Guy!
Black Beauty was one of my first favorite books as a child. 🙂
All the Rick Riordian books, esp. Trials of Apollo
My son loves Harry Potter, my daughter Little House in the Prairie
My 9 yr old daughter is an avid reader and loves all books – classics, fiction, science but, her favorite one is Harry Potter. She enjoyed reading all of Roald Dahl’s books as well, her favorite being Matilda 🙂 For fans of Roald Dahl, the Roald Dahl museum near London is awesome!
Princess in black
Matilda is one of my guys favorites, which would make winning these tickets super exciting! He also loves the Land of Stories series and Harry Potter!
Any Curious George Book
My daughter’s favorite book is Book Uncle
My oldest is obsessed with all the Penderwicks books!
Because of Winn-Dixie!
My kids love all Dahl books, Harry Potter, and Dogman!
My daughter and I both love Dr. Seuss books cause you can understand them on so many levels.
We are in a big Harry Potter phase lately, but the Chronicles of Narnia were a huge favorite as well.
We love Julian is a Mermaid!
Are You There God? It’s Me
Patrick
Great White vs Killer whale
The Cat in the Hat is our family’s fave
Our daughter loves Fancy Nancy books
Wonder is beloved here!
Goodnight Moon–a favorite of us both!
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Siverstein
elephant and piggie