It was May 2020 and the world had gone sideways. I was safe and reasonably comfortable, but the world was suddenly a very different place than anything I had ever experienced. The activities that defined the steady drumbeat of a life fell silent. Fear and anger gave way to uncertainty and a fair dose of boredom. I made a choice. I am still not sure if it was an act of rebellion or a reaction to suddenly being freed from “normal” life. With my daughter’s encouragement and my wife’s support, I put on my best “gangster” hat and walked into an audition for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at Topeka Civic Theater. Three months later, I am just beginning to understand the many lessons I have learned along the way. Many others more clever than I have thought these thoughts before, but I remember better when I write things down, so today I share them with you.
Loud is an obnoxious, over the top song full of terrible lessons like “looks are more important than books” but at the core is a critical truth. Waxing philosophical and politely calling for change is nice, but history remembers those who make themselves heard. Political events of the past few years have made it abundantly clear that while “the less you have to say, the louder you say it” may not be nice or even the right thing, it is effective.
So, what are we to do? “Give yourself permission to shine” for a start. That starts by recognizing that through all the struggles and opportunities in your life that you are special. Your gifts and interests are unique, and your perspective is one in 7.8 billion. One of the subtle lessons in the the character Matilda is that she is both humble AND precocious. She does not need to brag or show off because when the time comes to put her gifts to use, she chooses to step up and be loud. Always look for the opportunity to make your voice heard when it is needed most.
Matilda is not just being mischievous when she causes her father’s hair to turn green or puts glue in his hat. She is seeking revenge for the many abuses he heaps upon her. As she discovers that Miss Trunchbull is over-the-top evil, she looks to the books that have taught her so much in life for ways of exacting revenge. It is not just for her, but also for Miss Honey and all the other students who face an outrageous tyrant. (Spoiler alert!) In the end the revolting children soundly defeat the Trunchbull and the ghost story that finally chases her away could be straight out of a Dickens novel. Later, the attractive Sergei and his henchmen catch up with Mr. Wormwood and give Matilda the opportunity to teach him “manners”. In this moment Matilda learns a difficult lesson – It is fair and right to seek justice, but mercy and forgiveness are miracles that we can share with each other. Seek to make your story about compassion and doing what is right rather than just about revenge.
At the climax of the story, when things are at their loudest and chaos rules, we suddenly are dropped into one of the most powerful moments in the entire show. Quiet is about Matilda’s decision to turn off the noise and tune out fear. Our show physically communicates the moment by Matilda magically rising above the crowd, but taking control is a power that we all possess. Ultimately, you choose how to respond to the world around you. Sadly, we do not actually live in a musical, so flying into the air in a spotlight is unlikely at best, but you can take time each day to find your quiet. Gather your thoughts, be thankful for what you have, and make a choice for how you are going to take on the storms around you.
The children bear unthinkable cruelty under Miss Truchbull and yet they never give up. Treacle gets poured on chairs, cake gets eaten, and newts find their way into knickers. These are not the acts of timid, pathetic creatures, but the guerrilla warfare of a determined and stubborn foe. Indeed, if she can smell rebellion, it is no wonder she went mad!
The lesson here is not that child abuse is acceptable nor is it that open rebellion is encouraged in schools. It is that challenges, hardships, even suffering are fuel on the fire in the belly of those who will not be defeated. Your experiences, both good and bad define who you are. You can choose to lament your stretched ears or you can put them to work listening for ways to make the world a better place.
This is the tag line for Matilda the Musical and it summarizes all these lessons. Life is not fair and chances are good that others have it worse than you. Stand up! Assume a powerful stance, then pause for a moment to gather your thoughts. Think about what you have learned along the way and how you can use it to take one step toward where you want to be. Now, the choice is yours. There will be consequences and there will be rewards.