LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—Many who see Roald Dahl’s byline on a story know that when they open his books, they will be immersed in a fantasy world in which good children triumph over evil, where playfully breaking the rules is prized over docile obedience, and where mischief and dark humor abound.
From Book to Stage
The fantastic and bizarre story of “Peach” was adapted into a one-hour musical by Timothy Allen McDonald with an uplifting musical score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It revolves around little James Trotter, who becomes an orphan after a rhinoceros that escaped from the London zoo ate his parents. He is forced to live with relatives, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, who treat the boy like their personal slave.The show begins as Ladahlord the Magician tells the audience that magic is going to appear right before their very eyes. And the magic does unfold as rhinos, and sharks, and seagulls come to life through the talent of puppets and actors in humorous costuming.
One day, though, James’s luck changes when his aunts send him into the garden to chop down an old fruit tree. He comes upon Magician Ladahlord who gives James a magic potion that the young boy accidentally drops onto a peach tree in the garden. That’s when his adventure begins as the peach tree grows into gargantuan proportions. When James climbs into the peach, he discovers that there are insects in it—Earthworm, Grasshopper, Spider, Ladybug—which have also grown gigantically.
James’s mean and greedy aunts try to take advantage of the situation by charging people to see the peach. But they’re stopped when the peach falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean. James and his insect friends voyage across the ocean to bring back the peach and in the process have to battle sharks and other sea creatures.
The Creative Team
With excellent direction and choreography by Tommy Rapley, Dahl’s creation moves at a fast-paced clip. Especially imaginative is the way in which the peach grows larger and larger, and suitcases on the stage open to reveal surprises that propel the story. With musical direction by Ryan T. Nelson, the spirited and often funny score enhances the show’s playfulness and charm.
Anything and everything is possible in this production as scenic designer Milo Bue, costume designer Amanda Vander Byl, wig designer Ray Sanchez , lighting designer Ben Carne, prop master Leo Bassow, and sound designer Michael Daly bring their talents together to shape a colorful fairytale.
While the technical work in the production is sensational, the show works because of its cast, especially due to its star, Kai Edgar, who plays James. This is an impressive 12-year old who is not only a convincing actor but also sparkles when he sings and dances to “Have You Even Begun to Wonder” and “On Your Way Home.”
Also compelling are Lucy Godinez as Aunt Sponge and Leah Morrow as Aunt Spiker, who take on the role of James’s evil relatives, singing “There’s Money on That Tree,” and Alex Goodrich as Ladahlord, belting out “Shake It Up.”
Other wonderful performances in the show include Garrett Lutz as the unhappy, pouty Centipede; Christopher Kale Jones as the Green Grasshopper; Elizabeth Telford as the Ladybug; Juwon Tyrel Perry as the Spider; and Andrés Enriquez as the very comedic Earthworm.
Mischievous whimsy, a moral highlighting the importance of friendship and courage, and the power of imagination and dreams are emphasized so that theatergoers of all sizes and ages are sure to enjoy this gem.
