Matilda Jr.'s talented cast never missed a beat. Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Outstanding performances

Broadway North Youth Company helps raise $100K for Ronald McDonald House

Dec 8, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The Broadway North Youth Company’s production of Matilda Jr.was nothing short of magical but also helped boost the fundraising efforts for Prince Albert’s future Ronald McDonald House.

As a result of the total tickets sold and a commitment by the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation to donate $20 from each of those tickets, a cheque for $100,000 was sent to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

EA Rawlinson Centre General Manager Cory Philley made the announcement prior to Saturday night’s final show. Malcom Jenkins was unable to attend due to illness but provided a statement for paNOW.

“Our MJJ Family Foundation has been happy to help make several projects happen in Prince Albert and helping to publicize them by tying them to the Broadway North shows has really worked well,” he said.

They can’t be serious all day, can they? (Nigel Maxwell / paNOW Staff)

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Construction on the building is well underway and while no firm completion date has been announced, Jenkins said the new Ronald MacDonald House will help many families going through tough times with their kids, and will once again show Prince Albert to be the City with the biggest Heart in Saskatchewan.

“We hope our contribution of $100,000 will help encourage others to make this great project a success,” he said.

Due to the high amount of interest in this year’s play, the creative team decided to create two separate casts.

“Being one of the founders of Broadway North 30 years ago, when we had to work hard to find a cast of 20 or so, you can imagine what a joy it was to watch two full casts of 60 kids each put on 12 performances of “Matilda”…..and have the time of their lives doing it,” Jenkins said.

Blakely Prodaehl played one of the two Matildas. l(Nigel Maxwell)

While one evening show was sold out, all public shows were at least at 75-per-cent capacity. There were also matinees for the local schools. In a social media post, Director Kayleigh Skomorowski said on Saturday when the lights went down, 120 kids – brave, loud, hilarious, shining- left their whole hearts on the stage.

“And even after the applause faded, you could still feel the magic hanging in the air. Theatre does that. It lets a child step into a story and step out a little taller, a little stronger, a little more themselves. Being trusted with that light? It’s a gift I don’t take lightly.”

Skomorowski added her own feeling this particular show came to life with people she has known from every chapter of her life, including former students now grown.

“What a full-circle miracle that is. To see all former and current versions of yourself looking right back at you, still choosing this crazy wild adventure. For all the times you doubted if any of it mattered here they are to prove you that it did, and it does.”

Prior to Saturday night’s show, Corey Philley also announced next year’s show will be Lion King Jr.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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