Ten-year-old Jenna Weir shares the title role in the Canadian premiere production of Matilda the Musical.Pierre Gautreau
Call them the Mighty Matildas of Canada.
Nine-year-old Hannah Levinson and 10-year-olds Jaime MacLean and Jenna Weir have a lot resting on their little shoulders as they share the title role in the Canadian premiere production of Matilda the Musical. But during a recent press day at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre, they seemed unperturbed, wholly embodying the resilient character and the show's empowering motto.
"There's one message that goes through the whole story, which is: 'Even if you're little, you can do a lot,'" Weir, a Toronto native, said in an interview. "I've never done a production other than school plays, so it's really cool to do this and to be a strong, bold character that's a lot like me.
"She isn't afraid and I think I carry on that, too."
Vancouver's MacLean said, "It's like, 'Okay, this is where it starts, this is how it starts and I can't wait for it to become bigger and better and so much more exciting.'"
Based on the novel by bestselling author Roald Dahl, Matilda the Musical follows a young bookworm who has the gift of telekinesis and remains strong amid mistreatment at home and school. Matthew Warchus directs the book by Tony-winning playwright Dennis Kelly. Australian comedian and musician Tim Minchin penned the music and lyrics.
The show has won many awards, including four Tonys, and there's anticipation for the Toronto production that launches on Tuesday. The Canadian cast also includes Paula Brancati, Dan Chameroy, Keisha T. Fraser, Brandon McGibbon and Darcy Stewart.
Each performance, one of the three will perform onstage while another stands by backstage in case they need to quickly sub in.
"I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Levinson, who hails from Toronto.
"It came at the perfect age, I was the perfect height, so I thought, 'Why not do it? If this is your only chance to be the one role, the main role of Matilda, just why not and why not try to be Matilda?'"
Added MacLean: "I just really wanted to be Matilda because ever since I was like three years old I was like, 'This girl is like me. I really want to be this girl!'
"I kept looking up videos online, trying to do exactly what she did and finally got to audition."