When I grow up, I want to be Matilda

It's been a really long time since I've seen a musical. As a matter of fact, I believe the last one was Kinky Boots in December of last year (which by the way was really good, and you should all go see if you haven't), but this past Tuesday I broke my show drought with a performance of Matilda. 

Now I hope everyone here knows the story of Matilda. Preferably you've read the book but maybe you saw that 1996 film adaption? Either way it's quite the story about justice and fairness and bad people getting what's coming to them and good people getting what's coming to them and one very special miraculous girl named Matilda.

When I was in New York two summers ago, this show was widely popular, but I have to admit I had little interest in seeing it. Perhaps it was the children. Or the lack of easily attainable rush tickets. Either way, I didn't feel compelled to see the show. And after finally seeing it almost two years later, I have to say it doesn't top my list of favorite musicals. I haven't thought about it nearly as much as I thought about Pippin, obsessed over it the way I obsessed over Cabaret, or listened to the soundtrack on repeat at work as I did with Book of Mormon. As a matter of fact, I haven't really given most of the musical much thought at all. BUT (and this is a BIG but), the keyword in that sentence is "most". So let me tell you what has stuck with me.

****WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD****


First, the role of Miss Trunchbull is a drag role. And my my was the actor who portrayed her fantastic. It's one of those really weird moments where you absolutely hate the character while part of you can't help but appreciate just how amazing this actor is. I would say the same goes for Mr. Wormwood. These were two truly delicious villain portrayals.

Second, the telling of the acrobat and escapologists story was so beautiful. How it was imagined. How well it was told by the actress who played Matilda (who by the way was like seven). Just gorgeous, it almost made me cry.

Third, something that did make me cry: the ending. When Matilda saves her father from the Russian mafia, saying that after all he is her father and she is his daughter. The way that Mr. Wormwood finally does one thing right by his daughter and lets her stay with Miss Honey. That final moment when Matilda and Miss Honey unite as one family and walk off into the distance towards their newly inherited house. It was so touching. So heartwarming. So right. And so deserved for our two heroines. A truly satisfying ending to the crazy ordeal of Matilda's first five years of life, played out so well you forget that these are actors on a stage.

Fourth, the song Naughty. It's clever, uplifting, and quite humorous. When I'm feeling down and out about my life situation, I find myself humming it. Like Steve Jobs' Stanford graduation, I can see myself going to this song over and over again as a pick me up. I think I might make it my own personal cheer.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is the song When I Grow Up (in case you couldn't tell from the title). And I'm not alone. You should see the comments on YouTube about just how touching and moving this song is. It truly struck a chord. Pun intended. I don't know what it is about this song but it's pure genius. It might be more genius than Taylor Swift's Blank Space. Yeah. I said it. This entire scene was staged so beautifully, with all the kids (child actors and grownup actors) coming out and taking their turns on the swings. It was hopeful and sad at the same time. It made me nostalgic but also aware of the future that lies ahead of me. And it made me realize that maybe no one ever truly grows up. As kids we look forward to being adults and being able to take care of ourselves. But as this song showed, being grown up doesn't necessarily mean being able to do all these things. We have this whole idea of what being an adult means and for the most part we're wrong. You can be just as capable as a child. You don't need to be grown up, you just need to be brave and believe in yourself. That's what matters most. And that's what Matilda teaches us.

So even though it may not be the best musical of our time, Matilda is definitely worth seeing. It's horrifying, hilarious, humbling, and happy all in one. Even if the kids can be a bit much sometimes. At least you know you got to see a star before he/she was famous. And my hipster tendencies are telling me that that in itself is worth it :P