HCA set to present ‘Matilda Jr.’ in new theater

Holmes Center for the Arts will present the first production in its new black box theater, The Center Stage, when Roald Dahl’s “Matilda Jr. The Musical” runs Feb. 21-23.

Show times are Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for age 18 and under, reserved seating, and can be purchased online at search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/holmescenterforthearts/buy-tix or at the door if available.

“Holmes Center for the Arts’ black box theater has been in the works for four or five years, since the center was built,” Director Hannah Beach said. “I am so excited to finally be able to hold a production in our own theater. Folks who come to watch ‘Matilda Jr.’ will be among the first to sit in the new seats and to experience an incredibly talented cast of students bringing a production to life in our brand-new space.”

Beach said there are a variety of reasons for choosing the musical including the story line, the energy and the large cast. There are over 20 named characters in the production and several large dance numbers. The cast consists of 33 kids ranging in age from 9-13. Within the cast there are five sets of siblings.

About 70% of the cast has been in previous shows, and for others this is their first time on stage.

“We have so many new faces,” Beach said. “Some of my favorite memories are of watching these new kids come in completely unsure of what to expect and then watching them fall completely in love with performing.”

The young actors hail from Holmes, Wayne, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

Every backstage position for “Matilda” is volunteer with the exception of the directing team and lighting crew. Parents, friends and other arts center theater program participants are all involved in helping bring the production to life. All proceeds from the show go to the arts center and the growth of the theater program.

“Community theater is a space where people of so many backgrounds, interests and talents can come together,” Beach said. “And it is not just for the benefit of those involved. Community theater also brings people from all across society to watch the productions. Over the years we as a society have lost the art of going to the theater.

“I think it is so important to encourage theaters like ours to continue to grow so we can become a safe space for people to socialize and maybe even try something new.”

Beach said everyone will enjoy this production of “Matilda Jr.”

“It has comedy. It has emotion. It has drama. It has fun, exciting dance numbers,” Beach said.

Find Holmes Center for the Arts online at www.holmescenterforthearts.org and @holmescenter.