Students from Maui Prep will present "Matilda Jr.” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday at the school in Napili. Courtesy photo

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, “Matilda the Musical Jr.,” presented by Maui Preparatory Academy, has been described as a joyous girl power romp that should appeal to children and adults alike.

Based on the novel by British author Roald Dahl, “Matilda Jr.” is a condensed version of the original Tony Award-winning musical, designed for younger performers and school productions.

“I have a strong passion about producing shows that the kids are really interested in,” explained Nathalie Smith, Maui Prep’s director of performing arts. “I asked for their input, and it was almost unanimous that they wanted to do ‘Matilda Jr.’ It’s an abridged version, about a 60-minute show with two acts.”

Set at the fictional Crunchem Hall school in rural England, whose motto is: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots,” Matilda (played by Anna Murray) is the daughter of abusive parents who finds refuge in library books.

At school she contends with the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull (played by Dylan LaPrade) and finds companionship in her teacher, Miss Honey (Abigail Ankney), who is shy and fragile. Matilda knows she has to stand up to the adults, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers.

“We have 27 students in the show and a rotating group of seven students who run all the tech,” said Smith. “It’s wonderful and the kids are so talented. They range in age from sixth grade up to 12th grade.”

Other principals in the cast include Asher Kirkham as Mr. Wormwood, Anna May Stoops as Mrs. Wormwood, Jacksen Smith as Bruce Bogtrotter and Blake Murray as Nigel Hicks. The show’s musical director is Sarah Gowans.

“It’s been so fun,” said Smith. “We spend about five hours a week in rehearsals and it’s done in school time. We have an amazing program here at Maui Prep where students can choose performing arts as an elective. It’s just been a blast auditioning them and then running the scenes and the choreography.”

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Smith gained a bachelor’s in performance theory and practice (dance studies) from the University of Western Sydney and a postgraduate bachelor’s degree in teaching. Her extensive dance education includes training at Bodenweiser Ballet, the Sydney Dance Company and Millennium Dance Complex in Hollywood. She runs the Prime Dance Maui studio in Napili.

“There is some really wonderful choreography in the show,” she said. “We have kids performing and singing in the aisles. We have swings hanging on stage. It’s going to be such a surprise for the audience.”

“Matilda Jr.” has a few surprises in store for audiences when the show opens Friday at Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili. Courtesy photo

Initially staged as a musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010, the original “Matilda” received its London West End premiere in November 2011 and its Broadway premiere in April 2013. Critically acclaimed, it won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. “Matilda” subsequently won four Tony Awards including Best Book of a Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role.

“The messages of Matilda are really deep,” said Smith. “One of the most powerful themes is the shift from apathy to empowerment, the moment young people realize that their voice, courage, and choices genuinely matter. It’s been moving to watch our students step into roles where they stand up for themselves and one another. That transformation mirrors exactly what we hope performing arts cultivates: confidence, critical thinking, resilience and the understanding that even small acts of bravery can create meaningful change.”

The Maui Preparatory Academy played an essential role following the Lahaina fire, as an emergency shelter, a resource hub and a school for many students whose own schools were damaged or destroyed.

“The day after the fire, they were bringing people here to shower, to sleep, to reconnect with their loved ones in the Bozich Center, which is where we will be performing,” Smith explained. “They brought in a ton of kids in the community that had lost their local schools. My youngest son was one of them. It’s been a beacon of light to support education and really help the kids find some kind of normalcy back.”

As part of the school’s community outreach, there will be a free school-day matinee performance for local elementary schools in West Maui.

“We want to expand access to live theater for students who rarely have the opportunity to experience it,” Smith said. “King Kamehameha III Elementary School will bring 300 students and teachers to a special performance. It’s a huge step in strengthening arts access and community connection.”

“Matilda the Musical Jr.” is presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili. Tickets are $18 for VIP seating and $15 for general admission. They can be purchased through the school’s website at mauiprep.org. Tickets will also be available at the door before each show.