Matilda the Musical Jr. concludes director’s 30-year career at Roscoe Middle School

Quality performances of Roscoe Middle School's Matilda Jr. captured audiences' attention on March 6, 7, and 8, 2026, marking the final production under director Melissa Middleton after 30 dedicated years.

Working alongside Middleton were assistant directors Cierra Weaver and Cassidy Eddy

Based on the book written by Roald Dahl, Matilda, The Musical Jr. featured a talented cast of 41 students, plus a staff and crew who made this show pop and flow.

Powerhouse vocals and choreography, performed in sync, added the right touches to bring this multi-layered story to life.

Elise McLarty excelled as Matilda Wormwood.

Matilda is a gifted young girl who is neglected by her parents. She has an astonishing wit, intelligence, and secret telekinetic powers, which she uses to overcome her abusive headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

Matilda dreams of a better life than the one she has. The children she inspires are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

At school, the main headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (played by the masterful Grace Clemens), hates children and relishes devising new punishments for them.
During the opening prologue, little kids, parents, and Matilda celebrated at a birthday party.

The song “Miracle” introduced Matilda's parents (portrayed by Preston Braden, who gave a convincing turn, and Stella Foley, who displayed comedic prowess), celebrating Mrs. Wormwood's pregnancy and the arrival of a baby they never wanted. From the first, the audience sees her parents' ignorance and Matilda's genius.

Making up a superb ensemble - with many of the actors playing more than one role - were Hortensia (Aubrie Abbott), Nigel (Reid Johnson), Amanda Thripp (Emery Garza), Bruce Bogtrotter (Kian Green), Lavender, Matilda's energetic best friend (Morgan Milner), Alice (Lucy Naff), Eric (Archer Lattimer), Tommy (Lincoln Rip). They were joined by a fleet of parents, performed by Karmin Boelk, Lily Demke, Charlie Ewing, Alethea Flood, Juliana Peterson, Liam Monette, Ellie Schnaper, Georgia Speer, Hadley Vold, and Cole Wellen.

This scene showcased other children and their parents bragging about their “Miracle” children - a sharp contrast to how Matilda is viewed.

In the school library, Mrs. Phelps (Karmin Boelk) eagerly listened to stories told by Matilda.

One of those stories involved an Escapologist (Cole Wellen) and an Acrobat (Georgia Speer).

Matilda shared these stories with the kindhearted Miss Honey (the talented Kailey Stromberg).

Big kids (played by all of the actors who portrayed the parents in the first scene, other than Juliana Peterson) and little kids gathered at the school gates, where they told part of the story in the “School Song.”

At one point, Miss Trunchbull considered using “The Hammer.”

At the Wormwood home, Matilda was sent to her room after arguing with her father, who complained that she reads too much. Matilda's brother, Michael (Brayden Carroll), was also present in the room.

There, she found a way to be “Naughty” by mixing Super Glue into her father's hair dye, which turns his hair green.

Back at school, Trunchbull threatened to put the kids in Chokey (a terrifying, narrow punishment closet), and all the kids rang out with the “Chokey Chant.”

Action moved to Wormwood Motors, where a mechanic was hard at work (played by Liam Monette).

Inside the Wormwood house, audiences got a deeper look into Matilda's feelings in “This Little Girl.”

Matilda, the Escapologist, and the Acrobat returned to the library where the second part of the Acrobat Story was told.

A highly memorable scene took place in Miss Honey's classroom where other students supported Bruce, who ate part of a cake, then was forced to eat a whole cake as a punishment.

The cook (Alethea Flood) acted as an enabler for Miss Trunchbull

In Act Two, kid ensembles and Miss Honey looked to the future as they joined in singing, “When I Grow Up.”

Back in the library, the third part of the “Acrobat Story” unfolds.

Matilda's mother entered the scene in the Wormwood house with her dance instructor, Rudolpho, who brought lighthearted fun to the stage.

Trunchbull, all of the kids, and Matilda made a powerful statement in “The Smell of Rebellion.”

Inside Miss Honey's basic house, the Escapologist pays her a visit.

Miss Honey's personal story unfolds as she shares her background, including the fact that Miss Trunchbull is her aunt, who bullied her when she was a child and forced her into poverty.

Miss Honey conveys her feelings about “My House.”

Action rolled into Miss Honey's classroom, which was full of “Revolting Children.”

Drama amped up as the Russians (Ellie Schnaper and Liam Monette) entered, forcing the Wormwood family to flee to Spain to escape the Russian Mafia, and their leader, Sergei (Juliana Peterson), after it was discovered that Mr. Wormwood pulled a scam with faulty cars.

Matilda uses her powers to mimic the ghost of Miss Honey's father in the Acrobat/Escapologist story, which frightens Miss Trunchbull into leaving forever.

Miss Honey gets her home back, becomes headmistress, and adopts Matilda after she is abandoned by her family.

Matilda keeps a promise that even in the times when life is unfair, otherwise known as a “Trunchbull,” that intelligence, bravery, and friendship can create a better outcome.

Behind the scenes, the set design and construction were overseen by Chad Dickman. Charlie Ewing was the assistant to the directors and made sure the music had precision timing. Dominic Harms was the stage manager.

Alison Greving and Elizabeth Otten operated the lighting board.

Andrew Emanuel was the person behind the sound.

Gianna Cutler, Gianna Singer, Alondra Sanchez, Daniel Meanovich, Bryce Poteate, Ha Mi Byron, and Isa Salinas were the running crew.

Aria Kavran, Alison Greving, and Elizabeth Otten ran the spotlights.

Featured artists were Gianna Cutler, Alondra Sanchez, Angela Boelk, Ha Mi Byron, Karmin Boelk, and Juliana Peterson. Aria Kavran, Gianna Singer, and Isa Salinas.