(Courtesy of BCHA) Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut is set to perform another sold-out spring musical, Matilda, Jr. on March 27, 28, and 30. The unique theater program produces successful shows, but is also turning out large scale productions in a very tight space.
The head of the program, Janice Chaikelson explained: “The kids and parents all love the shows we do, but it’s always a challenge figuring out how to best create the imaginary worlds represented in our productions.”
The stage is actually located in the school’s gymnasium making the theater the same place that sports and P.E. are held.
“The BCHA stage is very small with no wings, flies, backstage area, or legs,” Chaikelson said. “It’s basically a three-sided box with two doors upstage that lead to a very narrow corridor. So we have to be clever about how we create our set pieces: nothing big can get on or off the stage easily, so we need pieces that can be transformed for multiple uses.”
Chaikelson added that this year she is doubling the signature Matilda desks as alphabet blocks used in other scenes. Other blocks are being used for furniture like couches, chairs, a television and more.
The set will also include four periaktoi, a triangular-shaped stage set piece with doors so each triangle can represent six different Matilda Jr. locations.
One former actor and crew member, Allan Weiner, said the drama program made him an “entirely different person.” He noted they did final rehearsals in the week leading up to the show at the same time as basketball practice in the gym.
“We actually practiced in a smaller room beforehand,” Weiner explained. “We practiced in a little sub room of Bi-Cultural so we were really used to tight spaces and Janice was creative with how to transform the stage. I remember one of the plays we cut through the center aisle…It was amazing.”
Weiner said because of the small stage they had to use the audience as part of the performance area and even “interact with the crowd.”
You can witness that magic first-hand: this year the annual musical will be performed at BCHA on March 27, 28, and 30. Tickets are just $10 and are available to the community. Tickets can be purchased in advance at buytickets.at/bcha.
