AMERICAN FORK — With a burst of technicolor lights, Matilda the Musical opened on June 26 at the Valentine Theater in American Fork. Presented by the Timpanogos Arts Foundation, this show was anything but “Naughty.” Roald Dahl’s beloved classic is only enhanced when it comes to the stage with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and script by Dennis Kelly.
Matilda the Musical shares the heartwarming tale of a remarkable little girl who refuses to give up in the face of overwhelming odds. Matilda is overlooked and cast aside by her family, so she turns to books for comfort. As she enters school, she takes a stand against the cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull. With the help of her classmates, her teacher Miss Honey, and her own astonishing intellect, Matilda proves that “Revolting Children” are often the best kind.
The first thing that caught the audience’s attention in the Valentine Theater was the large alphabet display that surrounds the stage. Each letter can be lit individually and all with their own specific colors. “Matilda” is clearly spelled out at the top, but the letters are used creatively throughout the production. During “School Song,” the children sing about the terrors that school provides to the tune of an alphabet song. As they sing out the individual letters, those letters light up on the stage surrounding them. As the musical progresses, the letters are lit with color schemes that match the current musical number, such as a vibrant purple, green, and orange for the song “Loud.” Lighting design by Caleb Wallengren merges with scenic design by Kristyan Williams as these glowing letters not only set the stage for the school theme the entire show presents, but set the mood for each individual scene.
This wasn’t the only impressive display of lighting the show used. There were roving red searchlights to imitate a prison while the children were entering school, distinct green lights that lit up one by one as Miss Trunchbull revealed multiple torture chambers for the children, and spotlights that created a silhouette effect when Matilda shared her story. There was also the use of glowing paint to make the books in Matilda’s bedroom and the ribbon in her hair stand out while she was in the dark.
The choreography was done by Alisa Farnsworth and truly mirrored the youthful spirit of the show. The ensemble dances were full of large, loud, full body movements that made the children seem larger and more in control. These dances also often involved the actors lining up and waving arms and hands from behind one another, which worked well with the theme of how all the children had to come together.
Props were designed by Cindy Andersen and she made full use of them. Watching Miss Trunchbull launch an unsuspecting child into the air, and then seeing a life sized mannequin flown across the stage by wires in time to slow motion music was hilarious. Bruce Boggtrotter’s comically large chocolate cake was composed of beautiful layered slices that the actor Weston Klemetson could pick up and devour before hiding them beneath the rolling table. Klemetson was also given a large silver platter he licked clean once the cake was eaten. There were multiple other flying objects that Matilda manipulated, such as book pages, a cup, and a newt.
There seemed to be a bit of interplay between props and the costumes, designed by Brooke Holahan, with a lovely quick change where Matilda’s father’s hair turns bright green. The most remarkable costume prop belonged to the gorgeous centaur who galloped onstage during “The Smell of Rebellion” to woo Miss Trunchbull. Lastly, it was a terribly cute moment when Matilda and Miss Honey had matching outfits at the end of the show as they became a family.
Bryson Alley stole the show with his portrayal of Miss Trunchbull. Not only did his costume and makeup cut an imposing figure, the way he held himself was clearly militant and formidable. His every step seemed to be intentional and built up the legend of Miss Trunchbull. Bryson’s dancing skills and physical comedy brought the character to life, and his singing was vibrant and rich. It was a shame he didn’t have more songs, as “The Smell of Rebellion” was the best number in the show.
Emma-Claire Riddle played Mrs. Wormwood in the red cast. Riddle drew attention with her saucy rendition of the fed up housewife/amateur dancer. Her rhythm of speech and accent made her lines more lively. Punctuating her speech with hand motions and hip sways, Riddle dominated the Wormwood family in a way that drew the audience in.
Brooklyn Alley played Matilda in the red cast. A great deal of this show rests upon the actress playing Matilda, and Brooklyn did a wonderful job. She never wavered with her lines and had a sweet endearing voice.
The only element of the musical that could have been improved was clarity of speech among the school children. They all maintained British accents, but these accents made their words more difficult to understand, especially during the faster songs.
Matilda the Musical is a delightful show, mixing the whimsy of childhood with the grit of unfortunate circumstances. Timpanogos Arts Foundation put on an excellent show that reminds children that “even if you’re little, you can do a lot.” For a good time with a hopeful message, catch Matilda the Musical at the Valentine Theater in American Fork.
MORE INFO: Matilda the Musical is currently playing at the Valentine Theater, (839 E 9th N, American Fork, UT 84003), as part of the Timpanogos Arts Foundation season. Performances are held at 7:00 PM on select evenings, with some 2:00 PM matinees on Saturdays through July 18, 2026. Tickets for Matilda typically range from $15 to $25. This production features two alternating casts. While the website does indicate which cast performs on which nights, that is subject to change. If you are coming to see a specific performer, please double-check their dates with them directly before booking. For the most up-to-date schedule, performance details, and official ticketing, visit the Timpanogos Arts Foundation website: https://timparts.com/