Lauren Ward, Lesli Margherita, Gabriel Ebert & More Join Broadway Cast of Matilda

Lauren Ward, Lesli Margherita, Gabriel Ebert, Karen Aldridge and more have joined the cast of the Broadway premiere of Matilda. The musical will begin previews March 4, 2013, at the Shubert Theatre. Opening night is set for April 11. 

Ward, who appeared in the show's West End production, will reprise her role as Miss Honey. Margherita will portray Miss Wormwood, with Ebert taking on the role of Mr. Wormwood. Aldridge will play Mrs. Phelps. Ted Wilson will also reprise his role of Eric from the show's London run. As previously reported, four young performers (Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro) will share the title role. Original West End star Bertie Carvel is also set to reprise the role of Miss Trunchbull.

The Matilda ensemble will include Frenie Acoba, Erica Barnett, Judah Bellamy, Jack Broderick, Ava DeMary, John Arthur Greene, Emma Howard, Nadine Isenegger, Colin Israel, Thayne Jasperson, Luke Mannikus, Madilyn Morrow, Sawyer Nunes, Jared Parker, Celia Mei Rubin, John Sanders, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Phillip Spaeth, Ryan Steele, Betsy Struxness, Samantha Sturm, Heather Tepe, Ben Thompson, Clay Thomson, Taylor Trensch and Beatrice Tulchin.

Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl who decides that, despite a bad upbringing filled with rotten parents, a terrifying school and a vicious head mistress, her story is going to be an astonishing one. With the help of her teacher, friends and a little bit of imagination, Matilda proves that even if you’re little, you can do big things. Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, the musical features a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

Ward's West End credits include The Sound of Music, Philadelphia Story, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Camelot. She has appeared on Broadway in Follies, 1776, The Heiress and Carousel. Margherita's theater credits include Man of La Mancha, Showboat, Little Shop of Horrors, Spamalot, She Loves Me and Damn Yankees. Her TV and film credits include Charmed, NYPD Blue and The Number 23. Ebert's Broadway credits include Brief Encounter and Red. Aldridge is making her Broadway debut in Matilda. She is best known for her starring role on the TV series Boss. Her other TV credits include Chicago Fire and Mob Doctor.