One of the reasons why Grays Harbor College is performing “James and the Giant Peach” is because it’s something different, said Brad Duffy, the play’s director and GHC’s theater instructor.
Even more so in this local production.
“We’re always looking for ways to broaden what our students experience,” Duffy said. “We do things a lot of schools our size won’t attempt.”
A CD provides the musical score in many amateur productions of the play, but GHC’s performance includes live music, with Alex Eddy as the musical director.
Presenting the fantasy of a mistreated orphan growing a giant peach, then riding it across the ocean and sky with a group of human-like insects — with well-defined fears and idiosyncrasies — is enhanced with illustrated projections behind the actors on a big screen.
These projections are “really cool but it makes the production more of a challenge,” he said.
During dress rehearsals the performers were able to see where the musical’s pacing didn’t quite match up with the background projections and a handful of minor modifications were necessary to prevent spans of inaction in front of the large screen (and even larger audience) at the Bishop Center for Performing Arts.
An early scene that explains the death of James’s parents by a rhinoceros that escaped from a zoo is explained on the screen as well as performed. It helps make the sad and scary moments easier to take throughout the production and serves a purpose similar to the music, dancing and silly moments.
“Peach” is a stage musical version of a children’s fantasy written in 1961 by Roald Dahl, a British author also known for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Duffy said “Peach” is a great story but cites another title of Dahl’s as a fantasy he truly loves, “Matilda” — the story of a brilliant little girl who develops a special way of exacting justice.
Main characters in both of these stories are children who have suffered. James is an orphan who ends up living with his two cruel, selfish aunts. Matilda’s parents are neglectful and also cruel.
Catastrophes are integral to these stories and help “show how children learn about life through the things they experience,” Duffy explained. “Fascinating stuff.”
Both of these children are transformed by helping others and having people come into their lives who become like the loving and supportive families they lacked.
Other challenges in this production are that several cast members speak with British accents throughout the musical because the story starts in England. Most of these characters sound working class but one of them, Ladybug, is classy and has a more posh manner of speaking.
Some of the actors also had to learn how to perform with the specially-designed puppets. Designer Jason Kramer said the puppets — particularly the five insects who have significant roles in the musical — are based on Japanese Bunraku puppets where the operator is visible during the performance. Fifteen puppets were designed for “Peach” and all of them were created so the audience could better engage with the story being told on stage.
While there are some slightly dark parts in “Peach” it’s very much a family friendly production. Occasional bits, such as a bearded men in fancy dresses, are based on well-established British comedic traditions and, of course, very silly. Elementary school students will be coming to the show as was the case when the college presented“Mary Poppins.”
The college produces one full-scale stage show each season. Presenting different types of performances is how the college reaches out to the many different segments of the community it serves, Duffy said.
The next GHC musical, debuting in March, is a little more adult but still suitable for most —“Anything Goes.” In May, however, there will be one-act plays created and performed by GHC students and those are not recommended for younger audience members.
“We are busy all year long,” Duffy added.
Tickets are on sale for performances at the Bishop Center for Performing Arts Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. They can be purchased online at the Bishop Center website — ghc.edu/bishop
Cast
James: Sam Dorsch
Ladahlord: Riley Jackson
Spiker: Sadie Karl
Sponge: Autumn McGiveron
Earthworm: Adam Cooper
Centipede: Casey Bronson
Grasshopper: Jerrod Phelps
Ladybug: Sarah Hadley
Spider: Bri Bonell
Ensemble
Natasha Brown-Williams
Chawndra Hicks
Grays Harbor College Theater Director Brad Duffy, wearing a red jacket, provides the actors direction during a Tuesday evening dress rehearsal of “James and the Giant Peach.” The actors, from left, are Natasha Williams-Brown, Chawndra Hicks, Riley Jackson and Adam Cooper. (Bob Kirkpatrick/The Daily World)
Sam Dorsch, center, turns to look at Jerrod Phelps as Adam Cooper and Sarah Hadley during rehearsal of a musical number in “James and the Giant Peach” on Monday evening. (Terri Harber/The Daily World)
Sam Dorsch, center, portrays James in the Grays Harbor College production of “James and the Giant Peach.” The production opens Friday night and runs through Nov. 13. (Terri Harber/The Daily World)
Sam Dorsch, center, portrays James in the Grays Harbor College production of “James and the Giant Peach.” The production opens Friday night and runs through Nov. 13. (Terri Harber/The Daily World)
