Skip to content

Stars align for Matilda

A look behind the scenes with directors Chyzyk and Munchinsky - a show that went above and beyond ... in a town with one traffic light.

Matilda the Musical was a smash hit on Virden Aud Theatre stage throughout it’s four days of play in November. Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes of Ronald Dahl’s clever story - Matilda - and why this story in the hands of genius director/producer Michelle Chyzyk, thrilled audiences.

“There was never any doubt about it being amazing. Never,” says Chyzyk. It featured a star-studded cast and crew, committed to the hilt. “One of my thoughts is that the long wait for Matilda allowed each of the students, already cast, to grow as performers and that was very evident.”

Many of these amateur actors have been under Chyzyk’s direction for numerous productions. However, Virden Theatre Productions is a total package as behind the scenes, Chyzyk has assembled a crew of volunteers who fulfill their roles like professionals.

By opening night, Nov. 9, a lot of pressure had built behind this extravaganza. Matilda was first announced and cast in 2020 before health mandates slammed doors shut on everything. The pent-up energy and creativity of director/producer Michelle Chyzyk poured into the production for what some have dared to say was the best ever.

Chyzyk has directed dozens of stage musicals, such as in 2015 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She laughs and says, “Every year it's the best yet - people love the variety with each passing show.”

She applauds the young actors and choreographers, “I think the highlight was the spectacular scenes using the youth - and man! they were outstanding - and the reason the show was picked in the first place. The choreography was nothing short of brilliant - thanks Brenda (Gorlick) and Natalie (Sluis).”

Chyzyk admits that elements of the story made it a challenge to stage, such as the heroine’s telekinetic abilities. “The biggest challenge in this show was the magic and of course the incredible Dean Munchinsky made it happen with nothing short of Broadway quality - in the nick of time. Bravo Dean!”

“Part of doing theatre is to take people to a different reality,” notes Munchinsky, a Virden businessman and the show’s stage director. He says it’s something you see on the famous stages of cities where a big budget produces a magic of its own.

Munchinsky has worked with Chyzyk in major productions over the years and says of her leadership, “I love working with her. Michelle is truly kind. Her goal is to be kind.”

She has cultivated her own skills through years of work with school children and adults and has built capacity within Virden volunteers, singers and actors. Physical expression along with her musicality has been one of Chyzyk’s trademarks, seen in her choir work over the years, bringing excitement to Virden stage.

“She has an innate sense of movement,” Munchinsky adds. “Her casting ability is top-notch. I know quite a few people who do casting, but don’t have what she has.”

For his part, Munchinsky brings a history of stage setup with theatre groups in Virden and Brandon, as well as stage rigging for bands like the recent Sawyer Brown concert in Brandon.

With this dramatic storyline full of mysterious surprise, it was evident the cast had a blast. Chyzyk credits the success of Matilda to the actors and crew:

“Todd Plaisier as Trunchbull - his performance was no surprise to me, but audiences LOVED him.”

Over the almost three-year wait for this show to open, the young actors grew up a little.

Chyzyk exclaimed, “The youth - top to bottom led by the incredible Nyah Perkin as Matilda - best group of young actors EVER ASSEMBLED on that stage! And so many of the adult cast members were the parents and didn't mind the kids stealing the show.”

Along with the special effects, the show was indeed a visual feast. “Joyce Davies and her costume team as always – outstanding,” says Chyzyk.

Many hands made light work, ‘effortlessly’ producing 18 desks onstage from a tiny backstage area. Chyzyk says, “Our stage IQ might have been at an all-time high with Deb Peters brilliantly stage managing and people like Marlin Peters, Mark Keown, and Scott Perkin, etc solving many details.”

With a unique building and a community volunteer network developed by a multi-talented leader, Virden has something that even larger centres don’t. Munchinsky says “We have something here that is special.”

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks