BACKSTAGE PERFORMING ARTS production of 

JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH JR.

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WORDS AND MUSIC BY

BENJ PASEK & JUSTIN PAUL

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BOOK BY

TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD

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BASED ON THE BOOK "JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH" BY ROALD DAHL

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Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR.

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

www.mtishows.com

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ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDINGS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW. 

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DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Addie Holman​

“What is it going to be, James - victim or hero?” - Ladahlord 

In James and the Giant Peach, as with many Roald Dahl’s stories, a young person is pitted against incredible odds, and must find new ways of moving forward to create a new life for themselves. James never views himself as a victim and shows true grit, perseverance, and heroic resilience even when his world is crumbling around him. There are many universal themes Dahl knew would resonate with his readers and the character of James has many of them. I feel James and the Giant Peach truly is Dahl’s way of teaching the young, and young at heart, how to navigate the troubling and changing world around you. With the help of his new found family of magical insects, James creates a new world that works for him, leaving him the ultimate hero everyone can relate to. 

Another life lesson Dahl presents to his audience is that you are never really alone. The way he handles the loss of loved ones in such a tender and honest way is beyond inspiring to me, having felt that loss myself. Pasek and Paul masterfully created music and lyrics to touch your heart and express the complex, layered themes Dahl creates so beautifully in this show.  I think these lyrics say it all; 

“Nothing is lost once you’ve found they’re in every breath and sound. When you are brave, when you are true, that’s the part of them in you. If you can just believe it’s beautifully bizarre how they’re with you in everything that you are.” 

I hope you enjoy this production tonight and that you let the perseverance of a little boy, named James, inspire you to keep going, keep pushing, keep trying, keep connecting with others and with the magical world around you.  Thank you for coming

Ben Webster

James

SPIKER CAST

Melody-Ann Swanson

James

SPONGE CAST

Jana Taylor

Ladahlord 1

SPIKER CAST

Grace Olson

Ladahlord 1

SPONGE CAST

Crew Winegar

Ladahlord 2

SPIKER CAST

Luke Voehl

Ladahlord 2

SPONGE CAST

Olive Weiland

Spiker

SPIKER CAST

Finley Bowden

Spiker

SPONGE CAST

Abby Poulton

Sponge

SPIKER CAST

Ali Schaefermeyer

Sponge

SPONGE CAST

Sariah Phillips

Ladybug

SPIKER CAST

Kenzee Ryujin

Ladybug

SPONGE CAST

Simon Downer

Grasshopper

SPIKER CAST

Brody Price

Grasshopper

SPONGE CAST

Ally Brazelton

Spider

SPIKER CAST

Ruby Posell

Spider

SPONGE CAST

Alaina McClellan

Earthworth

SPIKER CAST

Madison Magee

Earthworm

SPONGE CAST

Hailey Peacock

Centipede

SPIKER CAST

Cielle Abercrombie

Centipede

SPONGE CAST

Leah Molino

Billy Bobby Cop

SPIKER CAST

Charley Tuttle

Bobby Bobby Cop

SPONGE CAST

Kaitlyn Marsh

Matron Nurse

SPIKER CAST

Alan Campbell

Mr. Trotter

SPONGE CAST

Ella Nys

Mrs. Trotter

SPIKER CAST

Justice McKean

Karl Kreatour

SPONGE CAST

Leah Taylor

Violet Funkschmeller

SPIKER CAST

Calvin Sorensen

Charlie Bucket

SPONGE CAST