The ensemble cast of "Matilda Jr." is pictured.BCT
Buckeye Community Theatre is back at the Haddad Theatre with
Matilda Jr., a youth-friendly version Roald Dahl’s beloved story famously adapted for the big screen in 1996.
Curtain opens tonight, Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Shows
continue Friday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. (a sensory-friendly, pay-what-you-can
performance); Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 p.m. The
Haddad is located at 144 N. Broadway St., Medina.
Tickets and more information are available at bctohio.org.
Producing Artistic Director Kimberly States said her community
theatre group’s take on the classic combines fun, mischief and music – along
with important messages about courage and imagination.
“(We are) thrilled to return to the Haddad Stage to share
the story of Matilda and her friends,” States said. “Once again, BCT will offer
the sensory friendly performance for free to the community. This year we will
also include student ASL interpreters from Buckeye High School, mentored by
Buckeye teacher Laura Beth Schneider, who will sign the dialogue and songs for
our audience at the sensory friendly performance.”
The sensory-friendly performance is designed to create a
welcoming environment for people with sensory sensitivities or disabilities.
Adjustments may include softer lighting, reduced sound levels and flexibility
for audience members to move or react as needed. By offering this performance
at no cost, BCT hopes to remove barriers that often prevent families from
experiencing live theater.
BCT's two Matildas are pictured: Morgan Lehman, left, and Riley O'Neill.BCT
The cast includes young performers ages 10 to 18 from across
Medina, Cuyahoga and Summit counties, representing public schools, private
schools and homeschool communities. States feels the diversity of its cast and
crew is central to BCT’s mission of inclusion.
“Buckeye Community Theatre seeks to remove all barriers to
theater by creating an inclusive atmosphere for all of our performers,
backstage assistants and audience members,” States said. “We are super excited
for this production.”
Founded with a mission to provide a safe and educational
environment for children to join the performing arts, BCT strives for artistic
excellence in all aspects of production while offering training and internships
for children interested in careers in theater.
To learn more or to get involved in a community theatre
production, bctohio.org.
Cast (in order of appearance)
Eric, Liam Kildoo; Tommy, Tommy Durian; Amanda, Juliette
Toal; Bruce, Keegan Flack/Reece Noethen; Lavender, Eva Buran; Alice, Norah
Conroy; Hortensia, Paige Stachowicz; Nigel, Sam Lindon; Matilda, Morgan
Lehman/Riley O’Neill; Mr. Wormwood, Geo Kerechanin; Mrs. Wormwood, Emersyn
Kearney; Michael, Mason Rusyniak; Mrs. Phelps, Addie Singleton; Escapologist,
Ivy Moorman; Acrobat, Courtney Urbanek; Cook, Anna Piller; Miss Honey, Ireland
Gillihan/Sophia Brauser; Trunchbull, Emma Raulie; Mechanic, Brooklyn Gillihan;
Ruldolpho, Alex Camargo; Sergei, Seth McPherson.
Kids and Parents
Kallie Armbrust, Elliana Bazzo, Alex Camargo, Teresa
Chodaczek, Bella D’Agostino, Mia D’Andrea, Brooklyn Gillihan, Elena Helinski,
Katie Kortan, Leah Manners, Seth McPherson, Elise Paine, Alissa Pavelek,
Jazmine Pawar, Anna Piller, Addie Singleton, Liliana Stark, Faith Stiggins,
Hailey Svenson, Courtney Urbanek, Grace Urda, Mia Jo Yunker.
Buckeye Community Theatre will present "Matilda Jr." Oct. 2-5 at Medina’s Haddad Theatre, including a free sensory-friendly performance with student ASL interpreters.BCT
Production team and crew
Director and choreographer, Sammy Ezell; Music director,
Elena Hoffmann; Producing artistic director, Kimberly States; Executive
producer and costumer, Susan Dacek; Stage manager, Carter Rohr; Assistant stage
manager, Madeline Bauer; Producers, Kristen Raulie and Tammy States; Technical
directors, Chris Jackson and Vickie Jackson; Lights and sound, Andrew D’Aurlio
and Lily Pozderac; Set design and construction lead, Howie Hall; Set design
assistants, Lilah Baird and Lexi Dacek; Costume assistant, Kallie Armbrust;
Parent liaison, Jeana Singleton; Crew, Madeline Bauer, Eleanor Howell, Arya
Hronec, Lily D’Angelo-Kemp; ASL interpreters, Julia Andrukat, Anna Green,
Madison Kreeger, Abby Parrott.
