STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Matilda Wormwood is a precocious youngster with a keen intellect and psychic powers of telekinesis.

And she uses both to deal with her emotionally cruel parents, who contend her brainy-ness is an undesirable trait, and free her beloved teacher Miss Honey from the grips of a sadistic principal who hates children and revels in thinking up new punishments for them.

Ninety-six 4- to 13-year-olds are putting on the musical as part of St. Thomas Playhouse’s two-week Company B Performing Arts Camp.

Company B will present “Matilda Jr.” on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11-12, at the Sun Valley Community School Theatre. Thursday’s show starts at 2 p.m. and Friday’s at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.stthomasplayhouse.org or by calling Joanna Sattler at 208-726-5349, extension 21.

The play is touted as a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. It’s the story of a young girl who dreams of a better life. And it’s the story of the children she inspires to revolt in order to teach grown-ups a lesson.

British novelist Roald Dahl based the story, which he published in 1988, on events and characters in his own life.

“ ‘Matilda’ is about a young girl coming into her own and owning all her quirky fun personality. She’s a bookworm, she possesses magical powers and she has a rough home life. So, she has a lot to work through as a young girl,” said Wyatt Root, one of several teenagers assisting with the production.

The play is packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs.

“It’s a particularly robust show for a group of young people due to its big dance numbers and big musical numbers, but the campers have risen to the challenge,” said Root.

Avery Berkey plays the role of Matilda; Hoken Johnston, the evil principal, and Eaven Brown, the sweet nurturing Miss Honey.

Sara Gorby serves as camp director, while Kamir Hobbs Berkey serves as play director; Louisa Waycott, musical director; Melodie Taylor-Mauldin, the choreographer, and Annabel Webster, the art teacher who led campers in creating props for the play.

DID YOU KNOW?

“Matilda” the book was ranked No. 30 on a list of the top 100 children’s novels by “School Library Journal” in 2012. “Time” also included the novel in its list of the 100 Best Young-Adult Books of All Time.