Like a soda can opened after a vicious shake, Gabby Gutierrez, Mia Sinclair Jenness and Mabel Tyler explode across the Santa Monica Pier in pursuit of the bright orange roller coaster in the corner of the boardwalk. Though they blend into the crowd of parents pushing strollers and camp kids and their counselors, these girls are not on a typical summer outing.
They are taking a break from their jobs playing Matilda, which they alternate nightly, in the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's book of the same name at the Ahmanson Theatre through July 12. Rushing from ride to ride, they're earnest about making the best of their time.