If you have come to see Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at Olney Theatre Center, you couldn’t have missed the over 2,000 books that scenic designer, Milagros Ponce de León, has ingeniously placed around the set. Books play a huge part in the narrative of Matilda. Matilda’s love of books is what drives her imagination, drive, and ultimately her telekinetic powers. Our Marketing Director, Josh Ford, says that since the story of Matilda is “literally and figuratively built by books, it felt important to extend that magic beyond the theatre and do what we can to make sure every kid has the power to supercharge their imagination through reading."
Ever since the book drive bookcase was placed in the lobby of the Historic Theatre, it has been filled with new or gently used books! (I especially love seeing Roald Dahl books lining the shelf). The books that audiences and community members donate to the drive will go to two organizations who serve underserved communities: Velocity of Books in Wheaton and Maryland Book Bank in Baltimore. This drive gives children the opportunity to experience the magic that reading allows and the feeling Matilda knows well: you are never really alone when reading a book.
If you would like to donate a book to the drive, you can bring it when you come for your performance of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical or drop it off during normal Box Office hours. The collection point is located in the lobby of the Historic Theatre, near the Box Office. Due to space and storage limitations, we ask that patrons refrain from donating multi-volume reference works, old magazines, or any other media besides children's books.
