Framingham's Sky Vaux Fuller, 9, is the lead in production of 'Matilda the Musical'

FRAMINGHAM — Sky Vaux Fuller is like many other 9-year-olds — she bubbles with energy, likes doing cartwheels and dresses up as her favorite character from the graphic novel "Wings of Fire," for Halloween.

But when she’s asked to perform her favorite song from Roald Dahl’s "Matilda the Musical," her entire demeanor changes: She stands up straight, takes a deep breath, and does a perfect rendition of the song “Naughty," where Sky, singing as Matilda, wonders why characters with unhappy endings don't just change them.

"Just because you find that life's not fair it doesn't mean that you have to grin and bear it... sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty," according to the song.

The young Framingham girl, a student at Potter Road Elementary School, is starring as the titular character in the Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of "Matilda," which runs through Sunday.

One can easily see why the "Matilda" production’s director, Emily Ranii, describes Sky's presence — both on stage and off — as “absolutely electric” whether she is dancing, singing or acting.

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“It’s like sparks are flying out of her all the time,” Ranii said. “She is 9, and really does carry and drive the show… I think that’s challenging for any young person — but she does it with such joy.”

This isn’t Sky’s first or only notable project. She’s had a few roles in commercials, advertising everything from toys to Ikea. Even as she was sitting down for a recent interview with the Daily News, she got a callback for an off-Broadway show in New York.

She also has a small part in "Spirited," a Christmas-themed musical starring Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer that was released last Friday.

Sky giggled as she shared that she got to say not one, but two swear words for her part in the film.

Sky's mother, Sarah Kistner, said she was asked on set if Sky wanted a bit more screen time in "Spirited" — so they had about 10 minutes to rehearse the extra line. Sky may be seen doing some freestyle dancing between Ferrell and Reynolds in the film.

There's no doubt in her voice about what she wants to be when she grows up: “I want to be a famous actress.”

'Just one butterfly'

Sky was unwinding after a daytime showing of "Matilda" by watching "West Side Story," her cheek still sticky with the tape used to keep her microphone in place during her performance. Kistner said she’s impressed with her daughter's ability to memorize her lines — and doesn’t really know how she does it.

Sky has multiple monologues in the show and even a couple of lines in Russian that she can rattle off at the drop of a hat.

Sky said she doesn’t really get stage fright — but her heart is usually "full of excitement" as she approaches the sight line on the stage. Stepping up to that line of tape, which indicates where the audience can see her, she admitted she sometimes experiences “just one butterfly.”

She’s also extremely creative, but being artistic and brainy runs in the family.

The Fuller Middle School in Framingham is named for the young actress’ relatives: Dr. Solomon Fuller, one of the first Black psychiatrists in the U.S., and his wife, Meta, a noted sculptor, artist and poet. They were among the first Black families to settle in Framingham. Sky's parents think her forbears contributed to her artistic prowess.

One of her favorite lines is the tagline for the musical: “It doesn’t matter how big or how little, or how young or how old you are — you can always make your dreams come true.” "Matilda" is a story of an extraordinary girl who helps those around her see that things could be better.

“That story in 'Matilda' is very true, but it’s also very true of Sky,” Ranii said. In addition to starring as Matilda, Sky is also “balancing school and being a kid in her own right and that’s really pretty inspiring.”

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham Sky Vaux Fuller plays lead in 'Matilda the Musical'