The irresistible Broadway and London hit “Matilda The Musical” will begin its national tour with a presentation at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, May – July 2015, as part of Center Theatre Group’s 2014-2015 season.Winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, “Matilda The Musical” is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox”). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.
“Matilda The Musical” is directed by Tony Award®-winner Matthew Warchus (“God of Carnage”), who helms this production with a book by Tony Award®-winning playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin. The production has sets and costumes by Tony Award®-winner Rob Howell and choreography by Peter Darling.
When the musical opened on Broadway in April 2013, the production received four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for each of the four girls who shared the title role, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. It was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including Time magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.
“I have now had the pleasure of seeing ‘Matilda’ in London and New York,” said CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. “I will have the additional pleasure of seeing it again at the Ahmanson Theatre along with the rest of Los Angeles. This is a musical that is both ‘for the ages’ and ‘for all ages.’ It is a must-see!
Ben Brantley of The New York Times said, “Rejoice . . . It is even more glorious than promised . . . it is the most satisfying and subversive musical ever to come out of Britain.” “Welcome to the deliriously amusing, malevolent, heartwarming, head-spinning world of ‘Matilda The Musical,’ ” said Jeremy Gerard of the Bloomberg News. “You won’t want to leave.” Elizabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post said, “Once in a blue moon, a show comes out blazing and restores your faith in Broadway. ‘Matilda’ is that show.”
After premiering at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, “Matilda The Musical” transferred to London’s West End in October 2011, where the show continues to play to sold-out houses. The musical is also one of the top weekly grossing shows on Broadway. The North American tour of “Matilda The Musical” is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers.
Tickets for “Matilda The Musical” at the Ahmanson will be available by subscription only when season tickets for the complete Ahmanson 2014-2015 lineup go on sale later in February. For more information about “Matilda The Musical,” visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Matilda. For information and to charge season tickets by phone, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444. The complete 2014-2015 season at the Ahmanson will be announced shortly.
