:( THE MATILDAS ARE LEAVING!!

[suestorm]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 3:50pm

Matilda's Milly Shapiro, Bailey Ryon, Oona Laurence & Sophia Gennusa Will Exit the Show 'In Next Two Months

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE SHOW?

It looks like the original Tony-winning title stars of Broadway's Matilda are growing up and moving out! According to The Wall Street Journal, Milly Shapiro, Bailey Ryon, Oona Laurence and Sophia Gennusa will exit the Tony-nominated show "in the next two months." The four young up-and-coming stars made their Broadway debuts in the hit musical and received Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre for their alternating performances as Matilda. A spokesperson for the show couldn't confirm the Journal's story, and no casting replacements have yet been announced.

Updated On: 11/26/13 at 03:50 PM

[eperkins]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 4:45pm

"WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE SHOW?"

That there will be other actors playing that role. Probably talented little girls, but it's too early to tell.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 4:55pm

It means, just like the Billy Elliot boys, that they have outgrown the role. Nearly no one, goes to see Matilda because the actresses. They go to see the story.

It will continue on the same trajectory it is on....about a 4 to 5 year success story.

Updated On: 11/26/13 at 04:55 PM

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 5:49pm

AHEM

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1066969&dt=0

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 7:03pm

That makes me a sad panda.

And if you don't get that reference, shame on you.

[loliveve]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 7:06pm

disneybroadwayfan22- while you're pointing out duplicative information, your thread was not the first to mention the departure of the Matildas:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1066965&dt=0

"all 4 OBC Matilda's will be departing in the next 2 months to be making way for 4 "New-tildas."

I think it's adorable that Milly called them "New-tildas."

[Courtney2]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 7:28pm

Does anyone know when Milly is leaving? I would love to see her before she does. In the video, it seems like it is pretty soon if she's referring to the Thanksgiving Parade as the end.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 8:14pm

Well I have seen 3 out of 4 - so I have been lucky. But yes it's sad, and it IS nice that more children will have the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

I don't think it's so much that they grew out of the role solely. Sophia is a year and 3 months younger than the next youngest Matilda..and tiny. She could certainly stay longer if size and age were the only consideration.

But I don't think the Matilda crew wants to keep anyone in the part too long..they just want to disrupt children's real lives for a reasonable amount of time and no longer. It's time to get back to reality. They just seem very protective of the children they use. They did the same thing in London with the original West End girls - they started in November..and two were out in April/May with the other two out shortly thereafter.

I wish them all the best. They seem like lovely girls.

(Also, to answer ^^^^ - I "heard" that Milly is leaving in January but don't quote me. i don't know for sure).




Updated On: 11/26/13 at 08:14 PM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 10:13pm

Would Emily Rosenfeld make a good Matilda. Either way she would be extremely entertaining.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 10:50pm

I have only seen Emily in Annie - which is looking for a completely different style of child performing. She seems a little theatrical to me...and not necessarily the right style.

But I would not want to make a judgement on what a performer could do at any age if I have only seen them do one thing.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 10:57pm

Have the girls come to menses?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/26/13 at 11:04pm

Yes. That how they've developed their telekinetic powers.

[suestorm]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 9:19am

its odd that they would replace all of them at around the same time.
I wonder if they will still have a large rotation of girls

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 9:21am

I remember how our periods synced up when we were at Mt Holyoke, Jordan.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 9:38am

"its odd that they would replace all of them at around the same time.
I wonder if they will still have a large rotation of girls."

There will still be four girls, the same as now...with the same type of schedule. I don't know if it's odd..they all started at the same time and I guess their contracts are up at the same time.

[suestorm]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 9:41am

""I remember how our periods synced up when we were at Mt Holyoke, Jordan.""

Now thats funny!!!!


** Kathy, I guess so, its just amazing to me how talented at such a young age these girls were

Updated On: 11/27/13 at 09:41 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 10:06am

First it was the Shirelles, then the Ronettes, and now the Matildas.

I hear they will be replaced with 175 new girls. One for each sentence spoken and each musical phrase sung. After all, it's a very difficult role.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 10:20am

"I guess their contracts are up at the same time."

That is really weird, isn't it? Some sort of commission should be set up to investigate this under the RICO statutes.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/27/13 at 10:39am

^^ LOLOL Ms. Trunchbull will obviously lead the investigation...while Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood will be looking out for the rights of their "children".

[Matt1]

Posted: 11/28/13 at 9:49pm

Does anyone know the exact final performance of any of them?
Oona, Milly, Sophia, and Bailey are outstanding and I am sad to see them leave, but I am sure four new girls will be equally wonderful in the role.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/28/13 at 10:52pm

I don't even think all the parents know yet when the last days are - they have a rough idea, they may know the week but that's it. I did hear that Sophia is leaving sometime in December and Milly is leaving sometime in January...but as I noted before, this was not confirmed - just what I had heard through the grapevine. It could be right - or maybe not.

After never announcing which Matilda is performing until like 30 minutes before each curtain, it would be nice IMO to announce when each girl's final performance might be. I strongly doubt they would change the plan and do that..but I know I would like the opportunity to know...so I could see whoever I wanted to once again.

[Matt1]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 12:19pm

Thanks KathyNYC2. Hopefully they will let the public know.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 1:21pm

If anyone is interested, all four girls are on the cover of this week's (Dec 2) New York magazine...full page cover picture. Another little photo and a short interview is inside the mag.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:50pm

"its odd that they would replace all of them at around the same time."

One imagines it would be easier to cast, dialect train, rehearse, etc., multiple people at the same time.

[Matt1]

Posted: 12/4/13 at 9:18pm

Sophia is I her final 6 shows. Not sure when anyone else is leaving.