Moody: Adults Who See 'Matilda The Musical' Are Drawn To Miss Trunchbull

DENVER (CBS4) - Can the scariest character in a show also be the most fun? Critic at Large Greg Moody says that's the question facing audiences of "Matilda the Musical."

It's Miss Trunchbull who drives the action in "Matilda the Musical." When she's on stage she controls the action, the character and the very pace of the show. She's the center point on which all the magic swirls. And she's played by a man.

"It really gives you an opportunity to step into some wild fantasies that you may not be able to share publicly at any time, you know, find the delicate side of manliness and also it's beautifully challenging because you get to play a woman," said Ian Michael Stewart.

Stewart is the understudy for the role but you wouldn't know that by what he brought to the stage, according to Moody.

"A huge overwhelming presence," Moody said.

"It's a great opportunity to take out any aggression you might have I guess during the day," Stewart said. "But more importantly I think you get a chance to be a big kid."

Moody thinks all the adults in the audience are drawn to the character.

"You end up seeing this frustrated sad individual herself much like the kids are in many points in the show," Stewart said.

'Matilda the Musical' opens Sept. 9 at the Buell Theater and runs through the Sept. 20. Tickets are going fast so visit denvercenter.org to get them soon.