PTG Matilda

Review of Matilda – Pioneer Theatre Guild

Last weekend Pioneer Theatre Guild hosted us at the opening night of their production of Matilda. All opinions are ours. They have 3 more shows this weekend.

About Matilda The Musical

Matilda the Musical brings Roald Dahl’s classic to life. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly lovable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

PTG Matilda - Wormwood Family - Photo from Sean Carter Photography - Used with Permission
Photo from Sean Carter Photography – Used with Permission

Our Matilda by Pioneer Theatre Guild Review

Over the years we have seen a number of Pioneer Theatre Guild (PTG) productions. The shows have always been well done with excellent acting, music, costumes, and scenery. Matilda was no exception.

PTG Matilda - Students & Parents - Photo from Sean Carter Photography - Used with Permission
Photo from Sean Carter Photography – Used with Permission

Our family of 3 went into the play with no familiarity with the story. Neither my husband nor I read the book or saw the movie. Our teen daughter said that she started reading the book years ago, but got bored and stopped. Despite our lack of familiarity with the story, we all enjoyed the show.

Book Sale - Huge Book Sale in Ann Arbor 1,000s of Awesome BOoks, DVDs, CDs, LPs, Puzzles & Games - June 24-27, 2026 9a-8p The Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds - Building A - 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Find important information in event details.

JLC HUGE Book Sale

Wednesday-Saturday, June 24-27

Mud Day - Kids play in a big mud pit

Apple Playschools
Mud Day Celebration & Fundraiser

Saturday, June 27 10a-12:30p

Ann ARbor Jaycees Carnival - June 25-26 Opens at 4p, June 27-28 Opens at noon Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Proceeds Go Back into the Community * 4th of July Parade * Thanksgiving Baskets * School Supplies * & More Learn More at a2jaycees.org/carnival Ferris Wheel, QR Code & Skerbeck Logo

Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival – Enter to Win Wristbands

Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28

FREE Youth Match Pass for Kids 13 & Under - AFC Ann Arbor Mascot Nutmeg, a squirrel, sits with a child who has a bag of chips

AFC Ann Arbor – Get your Free Youth Match Pass & Enter to Win Tickets

Games May 16-July 11

I am always impressed with the scenery and props used in their plays. The multi-level stage easily represented the Wormood home, the school, the town library and more.

PTG Matilda - Miss Honey & Headmistress Trunchbull confrontation
Photo from Sean Carter Photography – Used with Permission

Our only complaint was that initially it was difficult to determine who the children were since all of the roles were played by high school students. The children wore consistent costumes throughout which did help.

PTG Matilda - Students on the Playground
Photo from Sean Carter Photography – Used with Permission

Matilda Age Recommendations

We recommend Matilda for children in elementary school through adults.

For preschoolers, we recommend deciding based on your child. The show was about 2 hours and 20 minutes (including an intermission). The headmistress can be intimidating when she threatens the students. When my daughter was a preschooler, the biggest issue would have been one nighttime scene where the stage gets darker and there was the sound of thunder. But, she always hated thunderstorms.

PTG Matilda - Matilda tells story to town librarian
Photo from Sean Carter Photography – Used with Permission

Pioneer Matilda Performance Schedule

Buy Matilda Tickets

Reserved Seating Tickets are available now on A2tix.com. The remaining tickets will be available as general admission tickets at the door starting one hour before show time.

PTG Presents Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical - Tickets at a2tix.com

The Saturday evening performance we attended was very crowded. We definitely recommend buying your tickets in advance to guarantee admission and for the best seat options. Tickets are currently (noon on Thursday) available for the remaining shows, with the least tickets available for the Sunday matinee.

Other Pioneer Theatre Guild Productions

Check out the remaining 2019-2020 Pioneer Theatre Guild Schedule:

Theater & Concerts for Families

Are you looking for other performances to take your family to? Check out our list of Ann Arbor Theater & Concerts for Families

Ann Arbor Theater for Families

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