Star of the Days 2023 season opener "Matilda the Musical" is a dark, but ultimately buoyant trip through the torments of childhood, on stage through April 30 at St. Johns United Church of Christ, 139 N. Fourth St., Emmaus.
The story based on Roald Dahls book "Matilda," follows the misfortunes of Matilda Wormwood, a brilliant but unloved child who goes to a school run by the cruel Miss Trunchbull who has made the schools motto "Bambinatum est magitum" - "Children are maggots."
The show opens up with the younger members of the cast singing "Miracle," a subversive song about children whose parents put them on a pedestal. Quickly, it becomes apparent Trunchbulls school is a harsh reality for these children.
Eleven-year-old Mia Moyer of Emmaus ably commands the stage in the title role of Matilda. She is precocious but not overbearing and her yearning for parents who care is heartfelt. Moyer, who is onstage for much of the show also do a great job with her British accent and has a strong voice that carries her through the many songs she sings. She is particularly poignant on her introspective songs like "Naughty" and "Quiet." 
As Matildas nemesis Miss Trunchbull, Andrea Cartagena is a force of nature. Her demeanor is menacing and imposing; and her cruelty is palpable as she shot puts a girl out of the window for the crime of having pigtails, or forces a boy to eat an entire cake after he snitches one piece. Cartagena powerfully delivers the chilling song "The Smell of Rebellion" as she forces the children to exercise to exhaustion. Cartagena shares the role with Benjamin Ruth, who performs the role on April 23, 28 and 30.
Jillian Petrie personifies the timid Miss Honey who stands up for Matilda despite herself. She has a lovely voice on songs like "This Little Girl" and "My House."
Katie Suratt is hilarious as Matildas mother Mrs. Wormwood. Poured into skintight pants and sporting over-sized blond hair, Suratt is deliciously vulgar and self-absorbed (as well as impressively limber) as she practices ballroom dancing with her smarmy partner Rudolpho, played pretentiously by Abby Roth.
Equally comical is Julisa Trinidad as Matildas dad Mr. Wormwood. In the humorous number glorifying eatching TV, "All I Know," Trinidad perfectly tosses away books as Matildas mostly non-communicative brother Michael (a fine Nyrie Washburn) deftly catches them in a basket.
Matildas put-upon schoolmates are appealing and energetic in group songs like the moving "When I Grow Up" and the triumphant "Revolting Children."
The children are played by Nora Zackey, Ava Wilson, Olivia Davison, Everett Mason, Madeline Ulma, Arianna Grace Millheim, Gabriella Montero and Vega Lucia. They are joined by adults portraying children.
Many of the 23 person cast play multiple roles, filling the stage and making it feel like the cast is much larger.
Other notable performances include the librarian Mrs. Phelps, played engagingly by Cindi Surovi and Dan Vanarsdale and Kyleigh Viscoso as the charming duo of the escapologist and acrobat.
Director Will Windsor Erwin makes good use of the churchs unconventional space. The set is simple but effective and relies mostly on large lettered blocks which are moved around by the children.
The show is recommended for ages six and older
Performances are 7:30 p.m. April 22, 28 and 29; and 3 p.m. April 23 and 30.
Tickets are $21 for adults; $18 for seniors and $16 for students.
For information, go to www.StaroftheDay.org