Matilda the Musical at KPAC
"Matilda the Musical" is coming to PARIS this Spring!
The Krider Performing Arts Center, the Paris-Henry County Arts Council, and the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce are proud to partner with Bethel University to bring Bethel University’s Renaissance Theatre program back to the Krider Performing Arts Center this spring! Bethel has partnered with the Krider in the past, as they presented "Godspell" (2010), "Steel Magnolias" (2012), "Smokey Joe’s Cafe’"(2013), and "Once Upon A Dream" (2016). Each performance brought a taste of Broadway and professional quality theatre performances to Paris!
"Matilda the Musical" is under the direction of Aubrey Doyle (Director of Renaissance Theatre) from McKenzie, and Bala Boyd (Associate Director of Renaissance Theatre) from Paris. “As a student and charter member of the Renaissance Theatre program, I am thrilled to see Renaissance continue to partner with beautiful venues to bring the joy of live theatre to other communities,” states Aubrey Doyle. “With magical elements, bright and energetic choreography numbers, and a creatively brilliant set, Matilda is sure to be a musical that families will remember for years to come.”
“We are pleased to offer three school performances during the week of April 4th-8th,” states Matthew Holt, Executive Director of Renaissance. “Our hope is to expose these school age children to live musical theatre and spark some creativity and love for the arts in the next generation.” The Krider will host several school groups during these morning performances.
Bethel’s Renaissance Theatre students receive a scholarship to do what they love, while completing a degree in the major of their choice. We boast a wide variety of business majors, music majors, education majors, theatre majors, and many others. The passion these students exude from the stage is contagious! The friendships and memories made while performing with Renaissance will last a lifetime.
“This is just a win for everyone involved,” commented Travis McLeese, CEO of the Chamber. “Selfishly the idea of bringing my alma mater to my home stage is a no brainer. This project will check all of the boxes for us. It enhances our quality of life, promotes arts in our community, has an educational component for our schools, and I believe there will be an economic impact attached to it as well. “
This classic Roald Dahl children's book and popular 90's film will come to life with fun filled song and dance numbers as the Renaissance Theatre students bring the magic of Matilda the Musical to life.
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. 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. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.