James and the Giant Peach - SDSU
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, now playing at the San Diego State University’sDon Powell Theatre is a delightfully entertaining, and creative show withwonderful sets, puppets, and a cast. It’sonly playing through May 3rd so go see it before it’s gone!
Based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name this show, the show retains the slightly darker, British wit that is a hallmark of Dahl’sworks while showcasing the immensely talented cast and crew that put this showtogether.
Foe anyone who doesn’t know the story James (an excellent EmmaChassey) is a young boy who has lost his parents (eaten by rhinos while at thezoo), and all he has left in their memory are his Father’s glasses and hisMother’s scarf. (His book “Matilda” also features a lost woman with a scarf,Dahl was very into accessorizing).
Alone at the orphanage where he lives he laments how allow he isto a Grasshopper (Devon Hunt) and a Ladybug (Eden Hildebrand) who have madetheir way into his room. Sad by hisprospects of living in this orphanage, dealing with the very mean nurse (a veryfunny Ross Graham), and with no friends or family James asks them if he can gowith them.
Soon afterward James is claimed by two long lost aunts, the wickedSpiker (Lauren Haughton) and Sponge (Trist Fishman). Both are deliriously self-centered, mean, andplan on using James as unpaid labor for all the work to do around the house. Haughton and Fishman are so delightfully overthe top in their villainy I was a little sad they would get their comeuppancein the end.
While working in the yard a mysterious stranger named Ladahlord(Shayne Mims who unbeknownst to James has also been acting as our narrator aswell) and offers his the chance to use a magic spell from his book. James accepts and makes the potion, only tospill it on the peach tree his aunts had told him to cut down.
The next morning a giant peach has grown, the aunts are trying tofind ways to make money off of it, and James decides to explore the peach. Inside he finds his insect visitors from the orphanage,along with Spider (Emmy Farese), a timid Earthworm (a nervous Richard Morrison),and an untrusting Centipede (Marcus Rutledge). All have found themselves impacted by the spell and wondering what to donext. Centipede takes matters into hisown hands (he can he has lots!) and cuts the stem to the peach and they rolldown through the town, over a cliff, and end up in the ocean. As they float they have to figure out wherethey are going, how to survive until they get there, what to do when they hit land,but more importantly will they be able to escape the sharks attacking the peachto get the asners to those other questions?
All of the insect performances are well done, with all of them handlingpuppet versions of themselves, and then slowly gaining in size until they fullyinhabited them. This transition and performanceis not always easily balanced between puppet and performer) and the group didit admirably.
The puppets are all beautiful and creative, and were created by BrookeKesler, Faith James, Taylor S Payne, Teri Tavares, Ryan Almario, Aria Huertoand Emily Gavin.
The costumes by by MFA student designer Brooke Kesler, withadvice from professional designer Denitsa Bliznakova are equally imaginative,colorful, and fitting of each character.
Scenic design by Victoria Vitola is inventive and when the peachappeared the audience burst into applause. It’s like a kid’s clubhouse inside a peach and honestly, that’s exactlyright for this story.
Projectionsby Scott Boyton and lighting by Sarah Schwartz, both MFA student designers arewell done and compliment the set and the story. Excellent sound design by NolanVoge enhances the story.
DirectorStephen Brotebeck and Musical Director Robert Meffe head up a truly talentedgroup of performers, musicans, and technical artists for a thoroughly fun and fancifulnight at the theatre.
Buythe ticket, don’t miss this peach!
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is playing through May 3rd- to get your ticket go to https://ttf.sdsu/index.php/season_calendar/james-and-the-giant-peach
PhotoCredit: SDSU