“When I grow up,” they sing as they look toward the future — but on the Performing Arts Center [PAC] stage running Thursday through Saturday, March 5-7 and March 12-14 at 7 p.m., the future they’ve been working toward has arrived for the cast of “Matilda.”

“Matilda” was originally a 1988 children’s book written by Roald Dahl and was later adapted to a 1996 film directed by Danny DeVito, before finally becoming a musical that premiered on Broadway in 2013, created by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. It details a girl who has been failed by the adults in her life but rises and puts a stop to her school’s headmistress’s oppressive reign, theater teacher Christian Penuelas said.

“I’ve been wanting to do this show for a long time,” said Penuelas, who got the musical’s script from Music Theatre International and is directing the show. “I’ve seen the production done a bunch; it’s been a show that’s been on my mind for probably three or four years now.”

Alongside dance teacher and “Matilda” choreographer Leiana Volen, choir teacher and “Matilda” music director Aaron Duncan-Schwartz and theater student teacher Nancy Calas, Penuelas held auditions on the week of Monday, Nov. 17, and released the cast list on that Friday, Nov. 21. Any Sunny Hills student was welcome to audition for the show, and the theater department promoted auditions through loudspeaker announcements, social media posts and verbal announcements to theater classes, Penuelas said.

“I’m typically looking for kids who understand the character and their motivations,” the theater teacher said. “And then obviously, for a musical, they are primarily singing auditions, so we’re looking for people who are not only able to sing, but tell a story throughout it.”

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Siriana Thampi

Lavender Brown, played by junior Kensington Van Hook, smiles innocently as she demands cake in the opening song, “Miracle.”

Sophomore Olivia Olsson said she has been doing theater since she was approximately 9 years old and auditioned for the titular role.

“[Auditions] were kind of fun since I had worked with all of the teachers on the audition panel before, and they are also some of my favorite teachers at Sunny,” Olsson said. “I also felt very prepared since I had been practicing the songs all summer with my singing coach.”

When she found out that she got the role of Matilda, Olsson said she was ecstatic to perform as the lead in the show.

“I am most looking forward to seeing all of the costumes, music and tech elements come together at the end,” the sophomore said.

Likewise, senior Michael Olivares, who has been doing theater since his sophomore year, said he was proud when he discovered he got the part he auditioned for: Matilda’s neglectful and brash father, Mr. Wormwood.

“When I saw the cast list and my name next to Mr. Wormwood, I felt confident and maybe even a little overconfident,” Olivares said. “I knew I had given a strong audition, so getting the role I wanted definitely boosted my ego, but I also had some tough competition, and everyone brought something great to the table.”

Senior Abigail Veyna, who has been doing theater since she was around 10 years old, said she is excited to share the musical’s story through her role of Miss Honey — Matilda’s kind and nurturing teacher — who she also auditioned for.

“‘Matilda’ has been a dream show for me since I was little,” Veyna said. “It taught me at a young age that the tiny can be mighty; it’s also my last musical here with Lancer Theater Co., so I found it to be really exciting.”

The cast of 37 students commenced after-school rehearsals for the production on Monday, Jan. 5, and as opening night approaches, they are dedicated to putting on a good show, Penuelas said.

Olivares said that although he is nervous about performing a solo scene and song in the show, he has been working hard to blow everyone away with his performance.

“What I’m most looking forward to is the audience’s reaction to my performance as a villain; I secretly love playing the bad guy,” he said. “Villains may be terrible people, but audiences love to hate them, and I’m here for it.”

Veyna said she hopes every audience member walks out of the PAC feeling inspired.

“I am really looking forward to the whole thing,” she said. “I love theater because there are so many moving parts; in this show, I get to sing, dance, act and I’m sharing the stage with some incredible people.”

Despite Olsson’s anxiety over performing the song “Naughty” and memorizing certain lines, she said she is excited to star in the upcoming production.

“It’s the most recent choreography I’ve learned, so sometimes I forget a move,” she said. “It’s also only me on stage, so if I mess up and make a face, the audience will definitely know,” she said.

As the musical’s debut draws nearer, Penuelas said he wishes the audience would have a good time watching the production.

“This play is just a lot of fun,” the director said. “If you’re not excited while watching this show, we haven’t done our job.”

Tickets for the 7 p.m. spring musical, “Matilda,” on sale at www.shhstheater.com, cost $17.30 for general admission, $14.18 for students who have a Gold Card or are in the Conservatory of Fine Arts or $12.10 for children. “Platform fees” apply to each purchase.