Dan Chameroy gets nasty in ‘Matilda’

Terrorizing young girls was never on his bucket list, actor Dan Chameroy insists. And he certainly didn’t expect to be wearing a dress while doing so.

But such is the life of an actor: Chameroy plays Miss Agatha Trunchbull, the big ol’ meanie and nemesis of the title character in “Matilda the Musical.” Based on the Roald Dahl story, the show opens Tuesday at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

“It’s a lot of fun,” says Chameroy, who lives in Toronto when he’s not on the road. “It’s always nice to get a reaction from the audience.” Even if that reaction consists of boos and hisses.

In the musical, Miss Trunchbull is the nasty headmistress at young Matilda Wormwood’s school.

“Agatha Trunchbull doesn’t see herself as a bully, but she certainly is,” Chameroy says. “She’s harsh to everybody.”

He hopes “Matilda” spurs discussions about showing kindness to others.

“It’s a great show for starting conversations about bullying,” says Chameroy, who has a 10-year-old daughter. “Parents have these conversations with their children — or at least I hope they do. You do that with your kids all the time so when they face obstacles in the future, they’re prepared.”

The appeal of “Matilda” to all ages is in part what attracted Chameroy to the show.

“It’s always great to do a show where you can invite the family,” he says.

A 12-season veteran of The Stratford Festival in Ontario, one of North America’s most prestigious theater festivals, he has performed in such plays as Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” “The Tempest” and “Henry V.” Musical experience includes productions of “Les Miserables,” “Miss Saigon,” “The Drowsy Chaperone” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Playing a character as nasty as Miss Trunchbull has an unexpected benefit.

“It’s a great way for me to get all my rage out,” Chameroy says.

But there’s an emotional toll, too: “It does take a lot of energy to be that angry all the time. I’m worn out when I leave the stage.”

He focuses on Miss Trunchbull’s unpleasant personality, not her gender.

“I don’t think of it as drag; this character just happens to be a woman,” he says. “You put a costume on me, I become part of it.”

The character of Matilda provides a good balance to Miss Trunchbull.

“She teaches the people around her you need to stand up for what’s right for you and not be influenced by people who make you feel less about yourself,” he says.

But he thinks the show reaches all ages.

“I think there’s a story and lesson for everybody. People might recognize themselves in the characters,” Chameroy says. “I hope not Miss Trunchbull — but if so, maybe they’ll leave the theater and change their life!”