All Dahl’d Up: ‘Matilda’ Brings Her Mojo To The Shubert

Come closer, kiddies, and gather round to listen to the sometimes wicked, sometimes wondrous and altogether off-center, youngster-empowering stories of Roald Dahl, who continues to enchant generation after generation of impressionable readers (not to mention movie- and theatergoers).

Dahl’s fantastical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” have all been made into movies and/or stage shows but nothing struck a chord as did the musical “Matilda,” which was turned into a hit musical first in London and then on Broadway (though it won four Tony Awards, it lost best musical honors in 2013 to “Kinky Boots”).

Of all of Dahl’s books, “Matilda” may be the most beloved because it embraces the power of storytelling.

The appeal of Matilda is that in this 5-year-old prodigy’s love of books she not only finds her refuge but her strength, too. Oh yes, she has telekinetic powers, but that’s not really where she gets her mojo.

This outspoken, pro-active, self-possessed and sometimes just-naughty-enough heroine finds her real magic in the wonder of words — and connects with a community of like-minded story-lovers, both young and old, who battle the slings and arrows of life’s philistines by re-writing their personal narratives. (“If you’re stuck in your story and want to get out/You don’t have to cry and you don’t have to shout.”)

Matilda has a tough time of it with self-centered, craven, unkind idiots for parents (“Looks, not books,” her mother tells Matilda) and Miss Agatha Trunchbull, a giantess of a fascist schoolmaster (and former champion hammer thrower) whose motto is “Children are maggots.” Miss Trunchbull is the ultimate intimidating adult bully who talks softly but carries a big shtick — she swings children by their pigtails when they get on her nerves, which is often. She is also performed in drag.

Though the story was made into a 1996 film that starred Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman and Pam Ferris, its larger cultural impact was made with its hit London and Broadway musical versions.

The national tour of the Broadway production is being prepped at New Haven’s Shubert Theater, with crews working in town for several weeks and its director Matthew Warchus (Broadway’s “God of Carnage”) arriving in town a few days ago to put the finishing touches on the production. (There are three young actresses — Gabby Gutierrez, Mia Sinclair Jenness and Mabel Tyler — alternating in the role of Matilda.)

The musical has a savvy script by Dennis Kelly that balances the dark with the uplift and tuneful songs and witty and wise lyrics by Tim Minchin. (The wistful song “When I Grow Up” is the one that you’ll be humming out of the theater.)

The New Haven production will feature Bryce Ryness as Miss Trunchbull, Cassie Silva as Mrs. Wormwood, Quinn Mattfield as Mr. Wormwood, Jennifer Blood as Miss Honey,.

The show will begin its week run Saturday, continuing through May 23.

It’s not the tour’s official opening (that comes next month in Los Angeles) but ticket prices for this “preview” of the launch are as high as any Broadway road show ($135). And though critics aren’t invited to assess the show, The Courant will review it for readers. A “first impressions” will go online Saturday late night (courant.com/curtain) and a full review will be online Monday afternoon and in Tuesday’s print edition.

MATILDA plays the Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. in New Haven from May 16 to 23. Performances are Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.; Tuesday through next Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 23 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $135. Information: shubert.com and 203-562-5666.