By Khalida Sarwari
It’s hard to separate the Harry Wormwood character in Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, ‘Matilda,’ from Danny Devito, the actor who played him on the big screen in 1996, but if anyone is up to the task, it’s Broadway actor Matt Harrington.
Theater aficionados can expect to see the thespian whip up a nuanced portrayal of the “book-hating, television-loving father of Matilda” on San Jose’s Center for Performing Arts stage March 7-12.
Directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus, “Matilda, the Musical” tells the story of a precocious 5-year-old girl (performed alternately by Gabby Gutierrez, Jaime MacLean and Jenna Weir) who uses her vivid imagination, sharp mind and gift of telekinesis to change the unpleasant conditions at her home and school created mostly by her own parents, Harry and Zinnia Wormwood (Darcy Stewart), and her school’s tyrannical headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (Dan Chameroy).
Having performed the role previously on Broadway, Harrington likened the revival of Harry for the national touring production of “Matilda” to “putting on an old suit.” His character is a used car salesman who couldn’t care less about Matilda, he said.
“He’s a clown, but I never wanted to try to play him for laughs,” said Harrington. “He’s all about stakes. He’s very superficial; he’s very into looking good, looking flashy. His hair is a big source of pride. This is a guy who lives in a large place. He’s never casual. He’s never neutral. Things are either a huge success, victory, or the lowest lows, as if the world is falling apart.”
That may sound like a certain very public figure, and Harrington agreed that the storyline is both “timeless and suddenly more timely than ever.”
“It’s totally a play about bullying,” he added. “It’s a play about standing up to bullies and resistance and standing up for yourself.”
Wormwood isn’t the only buffoonish bully in the musical; he has a rival in Miss Trunchbull, portrayed skillfully by Chameroy, a French-Canadian actor who has been with the touring production for nine months.
“She’s very–how will I say–angry, maybe? She’s a very disciplined individual, and she expects everyone in her presence to be as disciplined,” said Chameroy. “There are rules, and she expects everyone to live their lives the way she would. She commands your attention, and I think people are fearful of her, because she will punish you if you stray away from what’s required at the time.”
Chameroy said his approach to bringing his character’s “crazy” disposition to life was to follow the description outlined in both Dahl’s book as well as Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly’s adaptation. Incidentally, he said he didn’t read the novel until he joined the production and is trying to avoid seeing the 1996 film at all costs so as not to influence his own depiction of Miss Trunchbull.
“I kind of go with what’s in the writing,” he said. “The script is really beautifully written. I think it’s a sharp piece of writing. It’s witty, there’s a lot of humor in it, and the novel is a great classic novel.”
Both he and his cast mate agreed that while Matilda is a “creepy, dark and cynical” tale compared to most children’s stories, it also makes for worthwhile theater for families of all ages.
“One of my favorite things about it is that it’s such an empowering play, really for everybody, but particularly for girls and young women,” said Harrington. “I can’t think of another play that has this kind of message to women, that you can be great and you can accomplish things on your own with your brain and your bravery. I think one of my favorite things is to see these families show up and the girls doing the Matilda pose and telling me how much they love to read. I don’t think there’s enough of that these days.”
“Matilda” has garnered 70 international awards, including four Tonys and seven Oliviers. The musical continues sell out on Broadway, in London’s West End and in Sydney, Australia.
Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin wrote the show’s music and lyrics. The sets and costumes are by Tony winner Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Tony Award Hugh Vanstone and sound by Simon Baker.
The national tour is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers. The San Jose engagement is presented as part of Broadway San Jose’s 2016-17 season.
“Matilda” runs March 7-12 at the Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Tickets are $43-$128 at ticketmaster.com, 800.982.ARTS (2787) or the City National Civic Box Office, 150 W. San Carlos St., San Jose. For more information, visit matildathemusical.com/tour.
