A Whimsical Escape: Cardboard Playhouse Delivers with Matilda

Miss Honey (Courtney Gates), Miss Trunchbull (Jesse Graff), and the cast of Matilda. Cardboard Playhouse at Rodey Theatre. Photo courtesy of Cardboard Playhouse.

Like many, I was feeling the weight of the world this past week. Emotionally drained, I needed a release — something to take me away from the struggles of everyday life, if only for a few hours. I found that escape in Cardboard Playhouse’s production of Matilda. The purple and pink undertones of the stage lighting felt warm and inviting, and before I even had the chance to flip through the program, the magic began.

Cleopatra “Cleo” Taylor, who played Matilda for the Saturday night performance, was nothing short of miraculous. She captured the lighthearted spirit of the character with crisp vocals and sparkling energy, even through the rapid-fire lyrics that tested her endurance. When the words threatened to run ahead, she caught up with ease, never losing her charm. Cleo delivered an explosive performance in such a small package — truly a joy to watch.

The rest of the cast was well chosen. Drew Frost as Mr. Wormwood embodied the boisterous, over-the-top father with comedic flair. Courtney Gates brought tenderness and heart as Miss Honey, one of the most empathetic characters in the story, maintaining emotional honesty in every line and song. And Jesse Graff as Miss Trunchbull was unforgettable. You love to hate this villain, and Graff gave us everything — from the subtle eyebrow raises to lip twitches — that made the audience laugh, cringe, and cheer for Trunchbull’s downfall. His performance was absolutely outstanding.

The young ensemble brought the production together beautifully. What made it even more special was seeing the fun. There were moments when kids were being kids, with little fidgets here and there, which made me smile because it showed they were enjoying themselves. Cardboard Playhouse clearly trains its performers for a bright future in theater while still letting them hold onto their joy.

The choreography, crafted by Nate Clifford & Larry Aguilar, stood out for its sharpness and creativity. They tailored the movement to the children’s strengths, giving the numbers a lively, authentic feel. From the tear-inducing When I Grow Up to the raucous, crowd-pleasing Revolting Children, the musical numbers hit every emotional note.

The set was simple yet effective, and the clever staging turned the space into a world that felt whimsical and true to Dahl’s vision. Combined with the cast’s energy, the direction found the perfect balance between humor and heart, allowing the story’s themes of resilience, imagination, and courage to shine through.

Cardboard Playhouse’s Matilda is pure magic from start to finish. It’s a joyful celebration of courage, creativity, and the power of storytelling. The cast, crew, and creative team delivered a production that entertained, inspired, and gave me — and surely many others — a much-needed reminder of the beauty of theatre.

Cardboard Playhouse's Matilda is running from September 12th to 21st at Rodey Theatre. Tickets are available at cardboardplayhouse.org.