‘James and the Giant Peach, Jr.’ features an all-local kids cast

||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER |||

As the culmination of Orcas Center’s summer theatre intensive, a group of young thespians is presenting a production of “Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, Jr.”

It’s a fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends, and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit. The musical was adapted for student performance by the educational musical theater firm iTheatrics, under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald. It will be performed on Friday, July 31 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 1, at noon and 6 p.m. at Orcas Center. There is an open dress rehearsal on July 31 at noon with entry by donation.

Directed by Chelsea Sherman and Jamey Moriarty, with stage design and technical direction by Cameron Sherman, the production features a cast of island kids who participated in an intensive performing arts and theatre tech camp. Both cohorts will work together to produce and perform the 1-act musical Orcas Center’s stage.

Featuring music and lyrics by the Tony-nominated songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, the play is based on the beloved book by Dahl and tells the story of a young orphan who finds a loving family in a most peculiar way. Sent by his mean, conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, James discovers a magic potion which results in the growing of a tremendous peach that rolls into the ocean, and is occupied by some not-so-normal characters. From the center of the gigantic fruit, James and the unlikely crew launch a journey of enormous proportions. Together, they discover that while we are all born into a
family, we then go on to create a family of our own.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $70 with a special $10 student rate. Orcas Center is also offering a special $5 ticket price for children under 12 on Saturday, Aug. 1, at noon. Purchase tickets online at www.OrcasCenter.org, over the phone at 360-376-2281 x 1, or in-person Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and an hour prior to showtime. And don’t forget, volunteers who help with iPad check-in get to see the show for free!