A fantastical world of whimsy awaits audiences this weekend, as Lancer Productions presents Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach” in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium.
North Scott alum Nate Curlott and his partner, Leiren Jackson, return this year to direct the show. Their first foray into directing at North Scott was with last year’s Children’s Theatre show, “Charlotte’s Web.”
“It’s been really nice to build off of the foundation that we had with last year, our first year getting to know these kids,” said Curlott. “And to have new faces, both as freshmen and as people that didn’t audition for us last year has been really, really fun.”
After his parents are killed by a rhinoceros, young James Trotter spends time in an orphanage before being sent to live with his wicked aunts, Spiker and Sponge. With the help of a mysterious man named Ladahlord, James discovers a magic potion that results in him creating a giant peach and human-sized insects. While his aunts see a chance to make money from this sight, James befriends the insects. One day, the peach falls from the fruit tree and lands in the ocean, and James and his new friends must work together to survive an adventure that takes them all the way to the top of the Empire State Building.
“The show itself centers around family, and found family,” said Curlott.
“This show is big and bright and fun, and it’s going to be a really good time,” said Jackson. “There’s a lot of music, a lot of dancing, a lot of colors. But the underbelly of all of it is this found family theme. So, it’s very sweet as well.”
“We’re trying to have it be immersive,” added Curlott. “Have it feel like a theme park ride a little bit.”
“This show is oodles and oodles of fun,” said senior Lauren Pawloski, who plays Spiker. “It’s just a really fun show, and it is so entertaining,”
Pawloski and fellow senior Gabby Anderson, who plays Sponge, are also reveling in the opportunity to play baddies.
“I love it, because you get to be so much of everything,” said Andersen. “It’s a lot of fun, because there’s no subtlety to anything you do. Everything is 112 percent.”
“Genuinely, I have been dying for a role like this,” said Pawloski. “It’s everything.”
Literacy initiative continues
But the performance isn’t the only entertainment on tap this weekend, as the annual Lancer Productions Book Fest returns. Two hours before each performance, families can shop the Scholastic Book Fair in the auditorium lobby and help raise money for the North Scott elementary libraries. Lancer Productions will also host Moline-based children’s author Allen McCaulley. Artwork by North Scott students will be on display in the lobby, and children can also participate in the BugBash kids’ carnival, where games and crafts will be on offer. Entrance to the carnival is free with the purchase of a student ticket. A kid-friendly meal will be available at the concession stand, as well as the “dessert of the show” at intermission. And, as always, the North Scott Drama Boosters will be on hand at the Rose Table with tons of fun merchandise.
As a pre-show, enjoy a performance by the Peachy Keens youth ensemble, which includes cast members Anna Bradley, Olivia Grimm, Elena Jones, Ambellina Kelly, Raea Koberg, Eleanor Thuenen, Esme Wye, Mary-Linda Costello, Brianna Furan, Jax Huntley, Elena Skadal, Griffin Wilson, Elly Matheson, Reilly Nienhaus, Ella Dierickx, Samantha Mussack, and Allana Sosnowski.
Meet the company
The cast of “James and the Giant Peach” includes Ryenne Lacher (James Trotter); Natalie Sierk (Ladahlord); Brayden Serrano (Grasshopper); Nora Davis (Ladybug); Sophia Steiner (Spider); Jax Martin (Earthworm); Addalie Reese (Centipede); Lauren Pawloski (Spiker); and Gabby Andersen (Sponge).
The ensemble includes Adison Greer, Addyson Yanke, Ben Hill, Brooklyn Lacher, Charlotte Madden, Collin Meinert, Grady Kirst, Jack McCarthy, Katelyn Peck, Kennadi Thiessen, Leo Stearns, Micah Webb, Oliver Olsen, Riley Johnson, Riley Plymale, Sydney Groene, Taylar Vondal, and Yorton Hagedorn. The dance ensemble includes Bella Suarez, Emma Zrostlik, Emme Plett, Keegan Panther, Kyla Stone and Sophia Nelson.
“James and the Giant Peach” is directed by Nate Curlott and Leiren Jackson and produced by Stacie Kintigh. Vocal director is Bobby Becher and the choreographer is Ashley Becher.
Technical director is Josh Tipsword, assisted by Justin Walker and student technical director Aiden Kelsey. Stage manager is Mya Kelsey. Hair designer is Keegan Panther, and make-up design is by Gabby Andersen. Props master is Madi Brus.
The lighting was designed by Hannah Nelson. Sound designer is Kaitlyn Knepper, assisted by Haidyn Koberg and Taylor Crain. Soundboard operator is Haidyn Koberg. Projections designer and sound effects operator is Taylor Crain. Stage crew and rigging is by Carter Dorr.
The costumes were designed by Charli Conner and Brooke Rich. The costume crew includes Lily Archer, Eva Wyatt, Charli Conner, Emma Reif, Emma Windt, Anna Philip and Belly Riley. The wardrobe/dresser crew includes Lily Archer, Eva Wyatt and Charli Conner. The sewing team includes community volunteers Sue Boedeker, Becky Esbaum, Cora Vannorsdel, Michele Olson, Elaine Lenze, Karen Ganzer, Cindy Ramos, Debi Ervin, Laura Vannorsdel, Kathy Clasen, Andrea Baker and Donna Blanche.
Construction crew
The set was constructed by Kora Thiessen, Aiden Kelsey, Kallen Rohlf, Carter Dorr, Hannah Nelson, Madilyn Brus, Emmersen Plett, Keegan Panther, Emma Zrostlik, Haidyn Koberg, Adison Greer, Brayden Serrano, Nora Davis, Charli Conner, Taylor Crain, Kaitlyn Knepper, Grady Kirst, Mya Kelsey, Benjamin Hill, Taylor Murphy, Brooklyn Lacher, Charlotte Madden, Emma Reif, Riley Johnson, Isabella Suarez, Natalie Sierk, Nathaniel Kramer, Eva Wyatt, Kyla Stone, Riley Plymale, Katelyn Peck, Alec Chizek, Lillian Archer, Sophia Steiner, Kennadi Thiessen, Oliver Olsen, Sydney Groene, Ryenne Lacher, Bella Riley, Taylar Vondal, Anna Philip, Cora Vannorsdel, Charlotte Mendenhall, Emma Windt.
The Peachy Keens are directed by Stacie Kintigh, assisted by Abby LaPlante. Vocal director is Joie Stoefen, and the choreographer is Rita Ordaz.
“James and the Giant Peach” features music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and book by Timothy Allen McDonald. The show is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.