Category: But I’m Eponine
But I’m Eponine now on Audible

Great news! The audio book version of But I’m Eponine is now available on Audible. Narrator Jessica Renee Ryan has done a spectacular job of capturing the characters’ distinct personalities. Listen to it now. But I’m Eponine.
Cutting Out the Middle Man
My husband and I were cracking up because this showed up on our fridge today and neither of us put it up and I would bet my house that my sons had nothing to do with it either. Gee…who could’ve posted it?

Scattered Thoughts on Matilda the Musical Movie (2022)

We saw the movie adaptation of Matilda the Musical this past April at an advanced screening. Apparently, we were the first audience to see the film…which thrilled my kids. It seems like forever ago.
Even though I was a bookworm as a child, I never got into the Matilda book. For some reason, the characters and story didn’t resonate with me. I loved many of Roald Dahl’s other works, the Charlie Bucket/Willy Wonka books, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Despite my lukewarm reaction to the story, the musical adaptation of Matilda that opened in London in 2012 piqued my interest and I bought the cast recording when it was released. Being a musical theater geek, I’ve always been interested in the latest shows. Except the songs didn’t appeal to me..nor did its Tony Award performance a year later when it landed on Broadway…so I didn’t see the show when the national tour arrived in Southern California,

Fast forward to this past spring… When the screening invitation arrived…I accepted it for my kids’ sake. Ashley was singing “When I Grow Up” from Matilda in her voice lessons, and Josh had enjoyed reading the book in second grade. They were really excited.
When we arrived for the screening, we went through a screening of our own. Each audience member was asked to sign a NDA in which we promised not to discuss the movie or disclose anything about it until after its theatrical release. To ensure we adhered to the agreement, organizers even Googled each person and made note of our social media accounts. Then we surrendered our cell phones for the duration of the movie and entered the theater.
I wanted to like the movie, but when it ended and the audience applauded, it saddened me that I hadn’t loved it as so many others in attendance clearly had. Thought it was extremely well-executed (dance numbers were sublime!) but still felt emotionally detached from the characters and story. As for the songs….didn’t feel strongly one way or another…didn’t exactly like them…but didn’t actively dislike them either.
I guess Matilda is just a story that will never click with me in any incarnation…no matter how much I wish it would.
Afterward we filled out the post-movie survey. I praised Alisha Weir’s performance in the title role, Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, and the dancing. My chief criticism was that the film felt unnecessarily long (a case with most movies nowadays)…especially for a family film. My three children, Joey, and about 20 others were then asked to stay for an informal chat with the director. I wasn’t cool enough to be asked so I wandered the mall until their session ended.Â
When I reunited with my family an hour later, Joey said that the director seemed especially interested in hearing feedback from Ashley’s demographic. Not one to shy away from expressing her opinion, Ashley told the director she wished the movie showed Matilda practicing her physical powers. They just seemed to come out of nowhere without any explanation.
On the drive home, our family discussed the movie again. We were especially curious about what changes would be made before it made its debut in 8 months time.
When the movie finally hit Netflix on Christmas, Ashley was so excited to watch it. Right away, we noticed the movie was shorter….several scenes had been cut. A good decision. According to Ashley, a lengthy scene involving Matilda breaking into Trunchbull’s house and another scene with Miss Honey tidying up her classroom were cut. I don’t recall the film that well so I’ll take her word for it.
Ashley was also especially thrilled to see a new scene with…you guessed it…Matilda practicing her powers. Of course she’s taking full credit for this new addition, and it was fun to see her light up with excitement at this new scene.
As Frosty Would Say…

BoJack’s Sins
Josh is getting sad because he’s winding down BoJack Horseman. He’s on the final season now. He was thrilled to see a Radiohead reference when BoJack listed the worst things he’s ever done.

JEOPARDY! Musicals By Female Roles
400
Roxie Hart & Velma Kelly
Answer: Chicago
800
Mean-spirited orphanage mistress Miss Hannigan
Answer: Annie
1200
Sally Bowles and Fraulein Schneider
Answer: Cabaret
1600
Lorrell Robinson, Deenie Jones, and Effie White
Answer: Dreamgirls
2000
Mimi Marquez and Joanne Jefferson
Answer: Rent
Uh Oh
My daughter is watching Gilmore Girls. I may have reacted strongly during today’s episode when April came out for the first time.
