BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Theatre Jays, Merrill High School’s performing musical troupe, will present their 2024 high school musical next week. This year’s show, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, will be held at the Merrill High School Auditorium with one show each evening on Thursday and Friday and two shows on Saturday.
On Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26, the show will begin at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). On Saturday, April 27, shows will begin at 1 p.m. (doors open at 12:30) and 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). Tickets are available at the door ($15 general admission/$10 students and seniors) or call 715.536.4594 to purchase.
The cast of this year’s musical includes Cadence Stutting in the lead role as Matilda Wormwood and Nick Van De Weerd in the memorable role of Mrs. Agatha Trunchbull. Julia Shull performs in the heartwarming role of Miss Jennifer Honey, and Lauren Belsky and Drake Hoffman take on the roles of Matilda’s fairly useless, crash and unlikeable parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood. Jameson Morgan plays the part of Bruce Bogtrotter, one of the more memorable children at Matilda’s school.
Rounding out the cast of characters, 18 other Merrill students perform in supporting roles. They are, listed in alphabetical order: Alle Bergh is Henchman 1, Ella Bergh is Henchman 2, Acazia Clayton is the Snark Kid, Austin Doering is Tommy, Hazeley Gates is Erica, Rory Gates is Amanda, Mara Kautzer is Lavender, Billy Klein is Rudolpho, Gracie Lessor is Hortensia, Mark Marvin is Michael/Dad, Emily Raymer is Alice, Cadence Ryman is Mrs. Phelps/Entertainer, Bella Scheffler is Nurse/Cook, Harley Staeven is the Scary Big Kid, Isabella Stutting is Acrobat/Mum, Myah Webb is Nina, Aidan White is the Doctor and Escapologist, and Ben Zastrow is Sergei.
The Merrill Theatre Jays are known for putting on an entertaining show, so mark your calendars, get your tickets, and plan to enjoy this annual entertainment by talented local teen performers.
