Matilda the Musical announces complete cast

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers have announced the casting of the principal roles and the ensemble in the Broadway premiere of Matilda the Musical. They are Karen Aldridge as 'Mrs. Phelps,' Gabriel Ebert as 'Mr. Wormwood,' Lesli Margherita as 'Mrs. Wormwood' and Lauren Ward - who is reprising her role as 'Miss Honey' which she originated in the show's West End production.

Producers previously announced the four girls sharing the title role: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro; as well as Olivier Award-winner Bertie Carvel who will reprise the role of 'Miss Trunchbull' for Broadway. Each of the girls is making her Broadway debut.

The ensemble will feature Frenie Acoba, Erica Barnett, Judah Bellamy, Jack Broderick, Ava DeMary, John Arthur Greene, Emma Howard, Nadine Isenegger, Colin Israel, Thayne Jasperson, Luke Mannikus, Madilyn Morrow, Sawyer Nunes, Jared Parker, Celia Mei Rubin, John Sanders, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Phillip Spaeth, Ryan Steele, Betsy Struxness, Samantha Sturm, Heather Tepe, Ben Thompson, Clay Thomson, Taylor Trensch, Beatrice Tulchin and Ted Wilson.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, opens at the Shubert Theatre on 11 Apr 2013, following previews from 4 Mar 2013.

Matilda the Musical tells the story of a very bright and rebellious little girl, with special powers. Matilda's parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood, have no time for her and treat her as a nuisance. She spends most of her time reading books from the library astonishingly quickly, whilst they watch the telly and Mr Wormwood sells dodgy used cars. At school things are no better as despite the care and support of her teacher, the lovely Miss Honey, Matilda has to contend with the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull who rules the school with cruelty and fear. Matilda fights against the injustices at home and at school. Eventually she decides the grown-ups should be taught a lesson and in the process discovers her supernatural powers.

Matilda the Musical features a book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by the Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, and direction by Tony Award-winner Matthew Warchus with choreography by Peter Darling.

The show premiered at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the RSC, playing to sold-out audiences for twelve weeks from Nov 2010 to Jan 2011. The production transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End on 25 Oct 2011, where it is still playing. The musical regularly plays to sold out performances making it one of the hottest tickets in London.

The musical opened on the West End to excellent notices: "Hugely enjoyable and cracking ... fun" (londontheatre.co.uk); "The best new British musical since Billy Elliot" (The Telegraph); "It's an evening of unadulterated bliss." (The Guardian).

Matilda the Musical is designed by Rob Howell, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

The show is being produced on Broadway by The Royal Shakespeare Company and New York's Dodger Properties.

The children's novel Matilda, published in 1998, was written by popular British children's author Ronald Dahl. The book was was adapted into a screenplay in 1996 by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord, directed by Danny DeVito.

Bios:

Karen Aldridge (Mrs. Phelps) is best known for her starring role on the Golden Globe winning series "Boss" as "Dr. Ella Harris." Other recent credits include NBC's "Chicago Fire," FOX's "Mob Doctor" and Ron Howard's "The Dilemma." On stage she has starred in productions at Chicago's main theaters such as The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. She is making her Broadway debut.

Gabriel Ebert (Mr. Wormwood). His Broadway credits are 'Brief Encounter' and 'Red.' Off-Broadway credits include 'Suicide Incorporated,' 'The Sacrifices' and 'Prometheus Bound.' He received an OBIE for his performance in Amy Herzog's '4000 Miles,' at The Duke Theater and Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater. TV: CBS' short lived "Made in Jersey."

Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood) is the winner of a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in 'Zorro The Musical.' Theatre credits include the American premiere of 'The Gronholm Method,' 'Man of La Mancha' (Aldonza, Ovation nomination), 'Showboat' (Julie) at Goodspeed, 'Little Shop of Horrors' (Audrey), 'Spamalot' (Lady of the Lake), 'She Loves Me' (Ilona), 'See What I Wanna See,' 'Rated RSO' and 'Damn Yankees' (Gloria, Reprise). TV credits includes "Fame LA," "Major Crimes," "Charmed", "NYPD Blue," "The District," "The King of Queens," "JAG," and "Steven Spielberg's "On The Lot." Film credits include: Joel Schumacher's "The Number 23" and Sam Raimi's "Boogeyman 2." She is making her Broadway debut.

Lauren Ward (Miss Honey) will reprise the role of 'Miss Honey.' London credits: 'Matilda,' 'Sound of Music,' 'Philadelphia Story,' 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' 'Camelot,' 'Winter's Tale,' 'Pericles,' 'Vagina Monologues,' 'Dubarry Was a Lady' and 'Elegies.' Broadway: 'Follies,' '1776,' 'The Heiress,' 'Carousel.' Film/TV includes: "The Last Days of Lehman Brothers," "A Touch of Frost," "Torchwood," "Law & Order: SVU," "Joe Gould's Secret," "Story of Bad Boy" and "Broken News."