In 2016, Bea Burbank, who plays the title role in Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” at the Signal Mountain Playhouse this month, was thrilled to see her cousin Lily Brooks O’Briant star as Matilda in a touring company’s production. Bea, 6 years old at the time, was stagestruck as her 9-year-old cousin sang and acted her heart out as the telekinetic little girl who escapes to the library as a refuge. Now in 2022, Bea, inspired by her cousin’s performance, has her own turn as Matilda, and Bea’s muse Lily Brooks has arrived an ascendant Hollywood actress.
Also known for her portrayal of Mandy Wright in Netflix’s “The Big Show Show,” now 16-year-old Lily Brooks was the lead in the film “Marina,” winning a Wasserman Award and other prestigious accolades. Her credits also include the role of Kylie in “Mandated,” a TV web series. More major roles are on Lily Brook’s horizon as she has been cast as the leading role in Apple TV’s “Life by Ella,” which will premiere on September 2, 2022. She will play Ella, a teenager struck by cancer and trying to seize the day.
We congratulate Lily Brooks on her success, but for now, the character shoe is on the proverbial other foot as she is coming to Signal Mountain to support her young cousin Bea as she plays the lead in the Playhouse production, which runs July 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30.
In addition to playing Matilda at SMPH, Bea played Olaf in “Frozen, Jr.” at GPS, where she is a rising seventh-grader, and Sally in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” She also performed in “The Alibis” at McCallie and “The Sound of Music” at GPS. She studies voice at Cadek with Mary Record and has participated in choir at Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout under choirmaster John Wigal since she was 3. Bea has taken theater classes at GPS, where she learned about Playhouse auditions from upper class students Colette Smith and Caroline Rowe, Playhouse veterans. “I was to excited to find out that I had been chosen for the role of Matilda when Colette Smith found me on campus and gave me a congratulatory hug. The Playhouse production team and cast members have been so welcoming and encouraging throughout rehearsals,” Bea said.
Bea is the daughter of Christie and Brice Burbank of Lookout Mountain.
The Signal Mountain Playhouse is proud to introduce Bea Burbank in her debut performance with the troupe, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year with Roald Dahls’ “Matilda the Musical” this July. Break a leg, Bea!
by Anne Rittenberry
Also known for her portrayal of Mandy Wright in Netflix’s “The Big Show Show,” now 16-year-old Lily Brooks was the lead in the film “Marina,” winning a Wasserman Award and other prestigious accolades. Her credits also include the role of Kylie in “Mandated,” a TV web series. More major roles are on Lily Brook’s horizon as she has been cast as the leading role in Apple TV’s “Life by Ella,” which will premiere on September 2, 2022. She will play Ella, a teenager struck by cancer and trying to seize the day.
We congratulate Lily Brooks on her success, but for now, the character shoe is on the proverbial other foot as she is coming to Signal Mountain to support her young cousin Bea as she plays the lead in the Playhouse production, which runs July 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30.
In addition to playing Matilda at SMPH, Bea played Olaf in “Frozen, Jr.” at GPS, where she is a rising seventh-grader, and Sally in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” She also performed in “The Alibis” at McCallie and “The Sound of Music” at GPS. She studies voice at Cadek with Mary Record and has participated in choir at Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout under choirmaster John Wigal since she was 3. Bea has taken theater classes at GPS, where she learned about Playhouse auditions from upper class students Colette Smith and Caroline Rowe, Playhouse veterans. “I was to excited to find out that I had been chosen for the role of Matilda when Colette Smith found me on campus and gave me a congratulatory hug. The Playhouse production team and cast members have been so welcoming and encouraging throughout rehearsals,” Bea said.
Bea is the daughter of Christie and Brice Burbank of Lookout Mountain.
The Signal Mountain Playhouse is proud to introduce Bea Burbank in her debut performance with the troupe, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year with Roald Dahls’ “Matilda the Musical” this July. Break a leg, Bea!
by Anne Rittenberry
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