West Branch tackles 'Matilda' for end-of-year show
West Branch welcomes “Matilda” to the high school stage this weekend. The play based on Roald Dahl’s story of a sweet young girl from the saddest of circumstances won the Tony award for best musical.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey, who is as sweet as her name. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality and intelligence.
Shows will be Thursday through Sunday, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and a matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Longtime West Branch teacher John Zamarelli, who retired after 30 years and after directing more than 70 productions, has come back to the stage to co-direct with Krista Clay.
Zamarelli and his daughter, Julia Zamarelli, choreographed high-energy dance numbers for the show. Students in grades three to 12 from West Branch Intermediate, West Branch Middle and West Branch High School make up the cast of more than 100.
In the lead role of Matilda is eighth-grader Alli Kanagy, daughter of David and Mikki Kanagy. Kanagy has performed many leading roles, including Annie in “Annie” and Young Simba in “The Lion King Jr.” Junior Ella Scofinsky, daughter of Bill Scofinsky and Bridget Scofinsky, plays Matilda’s adversary, Miss Trunchbull. Scofinsky also is drum major for WBHS marching band, and in concert band, concert choir and the Young & Alive show choir. Senior Jillian Zamarelli, daughter of John and Jennifer Zamarelli, plays the sweet Miss Honey. Jillian Zamarelli starred as Maria in “The Sound of Music” in February.
Senior Kyle Hoopes and junior Brooklyn Horner will play Matilda’s disinterested parents, Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood. Hoopes, son of Kevin and Michele Hoopes, most recently played Captain von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” Horner is a member of the concert choir and Young & Alive. Rounding out the Wormwood family is Matilda’s brother, Michael, played by Kyle Hoopes’ younger brother, Owen, a junior who is in WBHS marching band, concert band, concert choir and Young & Alive.
Matilda’s favorite librarian, Mrs. Phelps, is played by Morgan Brown, the junior daughter of Chris and Christine Brown. While Matilda finds happiness in a library, her mother only wants to spend time dancing with her partner and teacher, Rudolpho. Wyatt Courtwright, a junior and son of Joe and Kimberly Courtwright, plays Rudolpho. As the escapologist is junior Croesus Brock. His wife, the acrobat, is played by sophomore Sophia Ayers.
Playing members of Miss Honey’s class are sixth-grader Ashton Clay as Bruce Bogtrotter; Sutton Clay as Lavender; sixth-grader Cooper Ruthrauff as Eric; fifth-graders Landon Hobbins and Russell Santee will play Tommy and Nigel; sophomore Ava Parris is Amanda; and sophomore Haley Close is Alice. Eighth-grader Alaina Schluneker is Hortensia, and other class members are Claire Bloss, Quincy Rae Burton, Regan Daley, Ava Hobbins, Kendelle Hoopes, James Mudger, Jenna Mudger and Lily Scofinsky.
Mason Brown plays the children’s entertainer; and Gavin Clay is the doctor. Sophomore Christian Mikol is Sergei, the Russian mafia leader. The adult chorus features Ariana Aldridge, Sophia Ayers, Croesus Brock, Mason Brown, Morgan Brown, Gavin Clay, Hailey Cross, Jayna Connor, Logan Crutchley, Asher Cutlip, Lucas Dyke, Charity Glista, Allyson Hartzell, Remington Jones, Kathryn Knopp, Morgan Kurtz, Mollie McDorman, Christian Mikol, Clayton Phillips, Cami Reichenbach, Connor Ruthrauff, Michaela Smith and Amanda Strong.
Rounding out the cast is the kids chorus, with students in grades three to seven, are Sofia Bacconi, Case Black, Grace Boyle, Madilyn Brammer, Tyler Brink, Kayla Chismar, Amarianna Choice, Delaney Crutchley, Morgan Day, Wesley Daley, Millie Dickens, Madelynn Dye, Brenna Emerson, Rachael Emmons, Carter Fritz, Kennedy Fritz, McKenzie Hang, Avery Hardy, Lucas Herold, Madi Hoopes, Nautaya King, Adrian Kirksey, Ava Knipp, Ashlyn Knopp, Adalyn Ludwig, Izabella Ludwig, Camryn Madden, Makayla Mayle, Emma McLaughlin, Randi McManus, Tiana Mitchell, Carly Phillips, Cecilia Raga, Myla Raga, Riley Rife, Riley Rohr, Aislyn Ring, Rory Rohaley, Lauren Sanor, Lily Sanor, Layla Shinn, Karli Springer, Madison Stiffler, Kylah Stryffeler, Maddison van Kirk, Ryleigh van Kirk, Sadie Weaver, Vivian Weingart, Sevin Woods, Zayla Woods, Kenzie Wooten, Zayden Wooten and Landyn Zerkle.
Technical directors for the show are Victor Trimmer and Corey Clay, and stage manager Lacey Phillis. Sets were designed and produced by Joe Courtwright, and all artistic elements were created by Kevin Hoopes and John Zamarelli. Costumes were done by Croesus Brock, Sydney Fetters and Krista Clay.
Shows will be Thursday through Sunday, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and a matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available during the school day at the high school or by calling the box office at (330) 938-2183, Ext. 37358. Leave a message and your call will be returned. Tickets may also be purchased at http://wbmusic.org. Reserved tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for students and senior citizens.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: West Branch tackles 'Matilda' for end-of-year show
