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‘James and the Giant Peach’ features 26 local youth actors

Frank Davis as Grasshopper, Andrew Starr as James and Caroline Owen as Ladybug star in James and the Giant Peach. SCOTT TREADWAY/Treadshots

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 7, 2016

A new musical version of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach opens Friday night at the Playhouse Downtown and plays through Sunday, March 20.

Written in 1961, James and the Giant Peach was the first novel Dahl penned for children before going on to author Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and many others including the film adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The story centers around young James Henry Trotter who, while living with his horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge, discovers a magic potion which results in a tremendous peach, as well new found best friends Grasshopper, Ladybug, Spider, Earthworm and Centipede. Together, they traverse the Atlantic Ocean in their giant peach – facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. But thanks to James’ wit and perseverance, the band of travelers learn to work together until they finally reach their destination of New York City.
Flat Rock Playhouse Studio 52’s Artistic Associate David Hart directs.
The cast features 26 local youth actors including Von Alberto, Evie Corn, Marissa Connelly, Noelle Crist, Frank Davis, James Dillon, Chase Fincher, Alice Frisch, Jayna Gerber, Samantha Grady, Cameron Grady, Katherine Grady, James Hargis, Kyra Hewitt, Riley Hewitt, Ezekiel Mercado, Caroline Owen, Jackson Pelz, Lianas Pronyk, Hadin Robertson, Lainie Robertson, Chris Saucedo, Andrew Starr, Ellie Stout, Joseph Sherer and Isabel Ward.