A massive peach will take the stage in the Silver Creek High School Auditorium this week for a Roald Dahl classic that’s sparked imaginations for decades.
A cast and crew of more than 70 people will put on the “James and the Giant Peach” musical, which is based on the beloved 1961 children’s novel.
Averi Adair, a Silver Creek High sophomore who’s playing Lahdalord in the musical, said the show is a familiar favorite for her.
“I played Spider in this production when I was 10, so I thought it would be great to have the opportunity to get to play a totally different role,” she explained.
Adair began performing on stage when she was only 5 years old, and can’t get enough of it.
“I loved it so, so much that I have been doing theater programs and taking classes in Longmont and Boulder ever since,” she said.
The musical runs from Thursday through Saturday in the school’s auditorium, at 4901 Nelson Rd., in Longmont.
“It is an entertaining, fantastical, imaginative show,” said Tracy Knick, the musical’s producer and assistant director. “The underlying story of perception, and discovering the real person, if you will…is a trope that we experience every day in life. And realizing that there is magic in the world, and that part of that magic is that wonderful individuality of every being.”
The story follows the life of James, an orphan who comes to live with his two greedy, self-serving aunts.
“He encounters a magician, who’s also the narrator of the play, who offers James a chance to change his fate,” said Kendle Butterworth, the musical’s guest director.
James chooses a potion that creates a giant peach — and even giant bugs — outside his house. He and the bugs set off on an adventure to a beach and even float across the ocean in the peach.
Bill Legg, band director at Silver Creek and the musical’s vocal director, said the musical offered flexibility in casting.
“We have a lot of freedom with some of the gender roles that come up in trying to make sure that you’ve got enough people to play the various parts … with the whole thing of the bugs being relatively non-gendered,” Legg explained.
He said there are still “many moving parts” to the musical — dancing, acting, costumes, set design, background music and even a concession stand with “James and the Giant Peach” - themed drinks and snacks, Legg said.
Students who are involved in the production have had the opportunity to learn leadership, problem-solving and time management skills, both Legg and Butterworth explained.
“They are very multifaceted kids who are involved in athletics, who are involved in extremely rigorous scholarships, who have after-school that they’re managing,” Legg said. “And they’re doing so well.”
The script and music for the “James and the Giant Peach” musical were created by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Tickets for the production are $12 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
