Press release from Parkway Playhouse:
James and the Giant Peach Jr. flies into Parkway Playhouse this December with puppetry, high energy dance numbers, and endearing British accents. The advanced students that make up the cast are only 10-18 in age, but their professional level of commitment to this production is undeniable. Students auditioned for their roles in August and have been hard at work ever since.
The story begins when James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.
Based on the Ronald Dahl classic this musical adaptation has engaged elementary students in both Mitchell and Yancey Counties in a “Reading Challenge” in cooperation with AMY Regional library system. Students in 3rd-5th grades were encouraged to read a Dahl book of their choice and complete a small assignment based on the novel they chose. In return, they receive a certificate of completion, a free ticket to the performance, and their school will receive some new books for their library. These new books for Mitchell and Yancey county schools were generously donated by the following organizations: The Mountain Air Litwits (a local book club), and the Avery, Mitchell, Yancey Regional Library. This collaboration would not have been possible without them!
This production will compete at Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta in January 2017. This internationally known festival brings theatre students together from across the world to compete and showcase 15 minutes of a musical. Students will have the opportunity to take master classes with respected theatre professionals, meet Broadway stars, and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.
James and the Giant Peach Jr. runs December 2nd and 3rd at 7:30pm at Parkway Playhouse. Tickets are general admission and sold at the door. For more information about Parkway Playhouse, performances, volunteer opportunities, classes, auditions, and more please visit www.parkwayplayhouse.com, or call 828-682-4285.
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