On November 4th the Highland Fine Arts Department performed Matilda the Musical.

Based off a book written in 1988 by Roald Dahl, this musical tells the story of a young girl named Matilda Wormwood.  She is very intelligent for her age but deals with oppressive parents and attends a school that could be compared to a prison.

The production took place in Highland High School’s gymnasium. In a night filled with laughter, cheers, and applause, there was no shortage of merriment to be had by everyone who participated in the play.    

“I am extremely pleased with the success of tonight’s performance. I think the kids really gave it their all,” Co-Director Jenny McClenahan said. “Every night I have a different favorite part. I have these different lines that make me laugh. I want to complement my music boosters, because without that set of parents I would not be able to do half the things I do. So, kudos to my boosters.” 

It was evident from the final bows, which were preceded by some nifty dance moves from the cast and crew, that the experience for all involved was a joyous one. Even if there were some hic-ups or mistakes made along the way, it didn’t hinder the joy everyone involved in the production took away from this experience. 

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Stella Slaymaker, who played Mrs. Wormwood, said. “Even the bad things that happened, like backstage and stuff, we always find a way to switch it around and make it a lot better for us. Everybody should go out for (school plays). It’s awesome and all the hard work pays off in the end when you get to finally do the show.”

“I think it went ok.  I tried my hardest, I know that for sure,” senior Ethan Krotz, who played Mr. Wormwood, said. “It’s been pretty rough because a lot of them are freshman and it’s hard for them to pick up and learn what we have to do in a musical, but miraculously it turned out amazing. The fun part for me is anytime I get to do anything goofy that makes me look stupid. It gets a lot of laughs. I enjoy that part the most. I think that’s what a lot of people enjoy.”

Performing a musical is a daunting task, but these Highland High School students gave it their all to put on an entertaining show. Their effort did not go unnoticed, as the audience showed their support throughout and after the show, with enthusiastic rounds of applause.

“I thought everyone really shined. I thought the kids, with the audience there, they just brought it up a notch,” Co-Director Craig McClenahan said. “The audience actually surprised me. We’ve had larger crowds on Saturday nights, but Friday nights have always been like, ‘Okay, let’s wait until we see if we really liked it or not and then we’ll invite people.’ So, it was a great crowd. I’m really proud of the kids tonight, they did a wonderful job.”