User:Nihonjoe/Lydia Ricks

Lydia Ricks is an American actor and singer from Washington County, Utah. She is best known for her title roles in Matilda the Musical and Annie at Tuacahn in southern Utah. Her acting has been described as "brilliant", "delightful", and having "a ton of talent".

Biography
Ricks grew up in Washington County, Utah. She was a singer from the time she was very young, and started playing the piano at seven years old. She won the Utah State Reflections contest in music composition in 2018. After performing in several community theater plays, she landed the title role in Matilda the Musical in 2018 at Tuacahn in southern Utah, in its first performance after the musical's national tour. She performed as Annie in the musical Annie during summer 2021, then as Marcy in School of Rock both at Tuacahn.

She was a finalist at the 2017 Dixie's Got Talent show, and performed at the 2021 finale. Ricks sang "The Gift I'll Give" in the 2023 official music video from songwriter Shawna Edwards.

Reception
Ricks' performance as Matilda in Matilda the Musical was described as "brilliant" by actor Brad Bradley in an interview on BroadwayWorld. The St. George News stated the "Ricks commands the stage", describing her performance as "delightful", and stating that "her future on stage is bright". The Mesquite Local News described her as "a ton of talent packed into one very tiny person", praising her handling of difficult dialogue.