 At the Wheelock Family Theater, actors of all ages can be found perfecting this year's performance of Matilda the Musical. While some kids can barely sit still, these young actors rehearse every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 p.m. all the way to 10 p.m., and in just a week those empty auditorium seats during their rehearsals will be filled with an audience. The Wheelock Family Theater was founded in 1981 and since then has staged more than 100 productions. Evan Brown, one of the assistant choreographers, said the return of live theater after the pandemic has allowed her to make a show people can connect with. So I think it's really fun being able to work with dancers of all ages and explore movement and kind of make an awesome show that means so much to not only me but so many other people here. And the people who attend are the core of why the show is up and running. In fact, the mission of the theater is to unite families under the shared experience of theater. Zachary McConnell, one of the Matilda cast members, said he feels live theater creates a special connection between him and the audience. What I always say that I love most about live theater is that it only happens in that night, in that moment. That every night is a little bit different and so when you get to go to a live show you get to see something that no one will ever see again and no one has ever seen before. The group will have their first tech rehearsal today, Friday, October 14th, and in one week the cast you just saw performing inside of that theater will have previews up and running of their show on October 21st and the 22nd of this month and that Saturday will be the grand opening where Matilda can finally have its magical start. Reporting from Boston for BUTV 10, I'm Lanie Broussard.