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Miss Trunchbull, played by Misha Stanley, confronts Matilda, played by Ella Schlaak, in front of the other schoolchildren during ACT's production of "Matilda: The Musical." Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Miss Honey, played by Michelle Supalla, shares her life story to Matilda, played by Ella Schlaak, during the song, "My House." Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Miss Trunchbull, played by Misha Stanley, leads the children in physical education during the song "The Smell of Rebellion." Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Misha Stanley and Peter Grimmius act out the famous scene from "Matilda" in which Miss Trunchbull forces a young student to eat an entire chocolate cake as punishment. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Kellen Flo, Noah Iverson and Kaylynn Rose play Matilda's disagreeable family in ACT's production of "Matilda — The Musical," opening Thursday. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Matilda, played by Ella Schlaak, speaks with librarian Mrs. Phelps, played by Bev Loos, in ACT's production of "Matilda — The Musical."

ACT’s latest production is a family show for many

Months of hard work on Thursday will come to fruition as Albert Lea Community Theatre’s final show of their 59th season, “Matilda — The Musical,” will open at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

The musical is based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name and tells the story of Matilda, a smart young girl who, with the help of her teacher, Miss Honey, learns how to harness the powers of her mind to stand up to the injustice she sees both at home from her family and at her school, which is ruled by tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

Gordy Handeland is the director of the play, Tony Segura is the assistant director and Bridget Halvorson is the choreographer.

Handeland has experience with several past ACT musicals including “The Foreigner,” “Annie,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “White Christmas.”

All of Dahl’s books are kind of dark, Handeland explained. But they are always full of characters with fun and quirky traits.

“There’s a lot of funny stuff in the show,” he said. “There’s a lot of jokes, a lot of strange characters.”

The show features a cast of 34, many of which are children. Because they began working on the show in mid-April, Handeland said, it was a bit of a challenge getting rehearsals together while students were still in school.

A unique component to this show is that the main character will be played by two different actresses. This is a fairly common practice for children’s shows, Handeland explained, as being on stage as the main character eight times is a lot to expect from a child. The role of Matilda will be played by Ella Schlaak and Margot Stanley. The girls will alternate playing Matilda and be part of the teen ensemble during “off time.”

“I think that me and Matilda are very alike,” Schlaak said. She, like Matilda, also enjoys reading and math.

“I actually feel like this is truly the role I’m meant to be,” she said. “I love the stage.”

Although this will be Schlaak’s first time in an ACT show, she has acted in two productions of “The Wizard of Oz” and also played a hairdresser in “Goldilocks.”

This is also Margot Stanley’s first time on the ACT stage, but she has previously been in two other shows.

“I just love being Matilda so much. It’s so much fun,” she said.

Margot Stanley is the daughter of Misha Stanley, who plays the principal, Miss Trunchbull.

“I actually love the challenge of being someone mean and scary while being their friend off stage,” Misha Stanley said.

Although new to ACT, she is experienced in theater. This will be the 25th musical she has been a part of, she said. Some of her other work includes “Annie” and “Once Upon a Mattress,” both in Austin.

Being Miss Trunchbull, she said, is the most fun role she has ever played.

In addition to working with her daughter, Margot, Misha Stanley also shares the stage with her daughter, Willa, who plays Hortensia in the children’s ensemble.

Not only that, but Margot and Willa are not the only pair of siblings in the cast. Schlaak’s siblings, Brady and Mady, are part of the ensemble while her other brother, Carter, is in the tech booth along with her father, Bennett.

Other sibling groups in the show include Anne and Peter Grimmius, Samuel and Violet Gustafson and Ian and Aubrey Taylor.

Additionally, ensemble member Lynn Rothmeier acts with her daughter, Ellery, and her husband, Steve, is in the tech booth. Heather Kohler and Alexis Kohler Torley are another mother-daughter duo in the ensemble.

“Matilda” will be performed at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea on June 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27 and 28. The shows start at 7:30 p.m., with the June 22 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 877-730-3144 (service fees apply), at actonbroadway.com or at the box office. Tickets are also for sale at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit http://actonbroadway.com/ for more information.

Cast and Crew
Matilda: Ella Schlaak, Margot Stanley
Miss Trunchbull: Misha Stanley
Miss Honey: Michelle Supalla
Mr. Wormwood: Noah Iverson
Mrs. Wormwood: Kaylynn Rose
Michael Woodworm: Kellen Flo
Mrs. Phelps: Bev Loos
Bruce: Peter Grimmius
Lavender: Hosanna Liskey
Amanda: JaeVanna Rodrigues
Nigel: Samuel Gustafson
Eric: Walt Rosell
Alice: Ellery Rothmeier
Tommy: Jackson Jacobs
Hortensia: Willa Stanley
Rudolpho: Issac Lowe
Kid’s Ensemble: Paige Andersen, Violet Gustafson
Escapologist: Ian Taylor
Acrobat/Entertainer: Kylie Pape
Sergei: Emma McColley
Adult Ensemble: Heather Kohler, Issac Lowe, Emma McColley, Kylie Pape, Mady Schlaak, Brady Schlaak, Grace Starman, Lynn Rothmeier, Ian Taylor
Teen Ensemble: Aaron Garcia, Abraham Gonzales, Anne Grimmius, Adele Hellickson, Alexis Kohler Torley, Aubrey Taylor, Everly Wright
Director: Gordy Handeland
Assistant Director: Tony Segura
Choreographer: Bridget Halvorson
Technical Director/Set Designer: Mark Bartleson
Lighting Designer: Dietrich Poppen
Stage Manager: Karen Hendrickson
Production Manager: Elizabeth Harty
Rehearsal Accompanist: Rebekah Sousa
Vocal Coach: Kaylynn Rose
Props, Set Dressing: Gordy Handeland, Elizabeth Harty
Makeup: Phil Hansen, Heidi Stoltenberg
Tech Booth: Scarlett Chance, Conor Hansen, Steve Rothmeier, Bennett Schlaak, Carter Schlaak
Costumes: Corissa Schwarz
Photography/Videography: Kris Bartley, Jason Howland