“James and the Giant Peach,” produced by Spirit Players, opened at the Kelsey Theatre on Friday night, Jan. 3. The stage play was a whimsical and engaging production that ran through Feb. 9.
Based on the book by Roald Dahl and dramatized by Richard R. George, it tells the coming-of-age story of an orphaned 7-year-old boy named James—a role shared on different show days by two child actors, Eddie Pfender and Spencer Hillman.
The show begins when the parents of James Henry Trotter are eaten by a giant rhinoceros that escapes from the zoo—fairly ordinary stuff. Then the audience meets James, who is now 7 and living with his two cruel aunts, Spiker and Sponge.
James meets a mysterious man who gives him a bag of magic crystals with instructions to make a potion. But later, James falls, loses the crystals, and a giant peach is born. Inside the peach lives a crew of misfit insects, who befriend James. The peach winds up floating on the Atlantic Ocean, so James and the critters embark on a journey, laughing their way to America.
The production used rear-screen projections of illustrations. Ropes from the rafters and peach parasol props helped convey the show’s symbolism, as James finds a nurturing environment—something he had not experienced since losing his parents.
The set, made entirely of recycled materials, allowed the audience to become fully immersed in the peach, according to M. Kitty Getlik, artistic director of Kelsey Theatre.
Schmalbach, who was also credited with scenic design and props, made a unique choice by using peach parasols to create the shape and texture of the giant peach. She also made an interesting decision to have the performers work largely without props.
Lighting designer Judi Parrish showcased the show’s magic and life. Purple light shimmered overhead, and green light glowed from a bag when an old man gave James the seeds of the giant peach.
“I tend to gravitate to purple,” Parrish said. “I wanted it to be spookier.”
While the set and lighting brought the peach to life, the actors brought the show to life. The second James, played by Spencer Hillman, spoke about his experience tackling James’s journey.
“I like being this character that evolves over the script,” he said. “At the end, he’s more proud of himself and adventurous, maybe.”
The narrator, played by Edward J. Forsthoffer III, wore a peach button-down under a vest and sent his crisp voice through the theater, anchoring the show.
But narrating is not a routine gig.
“You have to be cognizant of the action that’s happening on stage and react as if you’re seeing it for the first time,” Forsthoffer III said. “But the spotlight’s not on me during those parts, so you can’t steal the show.”
Schmalbach’s direction unified the elements of live theater, and the audience seemed to agree.
“The umbrellas had a nice texture and gave you the feeling of the peach,” said audience member Justin Mancini.
“[The show was] sweet, nostalgic, and fanciful,” said audience member Hester Young. Three different people at the show described it as creative.
“James and the Giant Peach” was a journey from the south of England to the shores of America.
Bringing magic from different regions is what some believe contributes to the beauty of live theater.
“[I want] young folks to see how magical live theater can be,” Getlik said.
