“Directing team Jeff Payton and Matthew Shaffer have molded the 25-member cast, which includes 10 children, into one of the tightest, most effective ensembles ever to perform on the Bangor Opera House stage. They also manage to get them all to sound like they live in the same English village.
The performers, ranging in age from 9 to their middle years, work together like a well-oiled machine, particularly in the big production numbers such as “When I Grow Up,” “The Smell of Rebellion” and “Revolting Children.” Often individual performances in a show with such a large age spread become more important than the ensemble. Payton and Shaffer never let that happen and it is the main reason

“Matilda the Musical” is so good.”
–Judy Harrison, BDN Staff