MANSFIELD – A larger-than-life youth musical is preparing to blossom at the Mansfield Playhouse this weekend with the opening of the youth musical “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” – an adaptation of the story from Roald Dahl.
A cast of 26 local students will bring the quirky tale of orphan James, his bug buddies, and an enormous fruit to life on the Playhouse stage beginning tonight, running this weekend and again Oct. 27-29. More than half of the cast are newcomers to the Playhouse, including the show’s director, Renee Statham.
Statham’s debut at the Mansfield Playhouse was with the comedic “Noises Off” that opened on Sept. 8. “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” is her first youth show at the Playhouse.
“The younger kids, it’s all new and exciting to them,” Statham said. “I love how they’re making friends and coming out of their shells, how they’re gaining confidence and enjoying themselves while also working hard.”
“James and the Giant Peach Jr.” is a musical tale that follows the story of James, an orphan whose parents were killed by a rhinoceros. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach among human-sized insects.
“I’m telling you, it’s a very bizarre show,” said Statham with a laugh.
Playing the role of James is 11-year-old Jeremiah Viscioni from Ontario Middle School. This is Viscioni’s second leading role at the Playhouse.
“I like how I get to show many feelings,” he said. “I always like doing that in plays because then I get to be creative and find different ways to do certain things.”
Guiding James and the insects along their journey is Ladahlord, a mysterious character who seems to have a hand in the magical things that are happening. Martin Rawls, a senior at Pioneer Performing Arts, plays the magical narrator, and only joined the cast two weeks ago due to a dropout.
“It’s a lot of fun to portray this character,” Rawls said. “It’s definitely different from anything I’ve ever done. There’s a lot of weird stuff that goes on throughout the show.”
The themes of “James and the Giant Peach” are certainly a bit darker and a bit more quirky than most youth shows, but Statham said she was impressed by how the cast has handled the material.
“Never shortchange kids on what you think they can and cannot do,” she said. “Never think these kids aren’t going to really get it and understand it. I’m never surprised at what they come up with.”
“James and the Giant Peach Jr.” opens at the Mansfield Playhouse on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Additional show dates and times include Oct. 21, 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mansfieldplayhouse.com or by calling 419-522-2883.
“There’s a story behind the show, regarding James as he loses his parents and how he finds peace within himself by meeting the insects and listening to what Ladahlord says,” Rawls said. “It’s a setting of how life goes, and how to get over things in your life when things have gone wrong.”
“It’s a fun-filled show, and if you like Roald Dahl books then you’re going to like this,” added Viscioni.
