The Egyptian Theatre’s Youtheatre is in the spotlight as they present the musical “James and the Giant Peach” this weekend.
The director of the show, Missy Hilton, talked about the production, based on the classic story by Roald Dahl.
“James is a boy whose parents meet an untimely demise." Hilton explained, "He is visited by Ladahlord a sort of magical creature which I think is meant to be an iteration of Roald Dahl. Gives James a bag of magical things that get sucked into the ground, grow a giant peach and then we’re off on a big adventure.”
Two of the young actors—Sophie Didly and Aniston Riley—also visited us, and discussed their characters.
“Sponge is one of aunts and she’s not the best aunt you would ever meet” Sophie continued, “but she has a big appetite for basically every single cuisine including spiders. Her sister is spiker. They decide when the peach grows, they want to sell it. Sponge is clumsy and yeah she’s a clutz basically.”
“Spiker is the brains of the operation." Aniston said, "She always has the ideas and what’s what and Sponge just kind of follows along. She doesn’t really like much but she does like her sister, just shows it in a funny way.”
There are nearly two dozen actors in the show, plus a youth technical crew. We asked Hilton what experience she brings to the show.
“I worked with the local Giving a Bleep for five years. Doing all that, the script, and the music production. Then teaching theatre and just a variety of stuff.” Hilton said she was proud of what the kids accomplished, “They are hilarious, I can’t even tell you how funny they are.”
“James and the Giant Peach” opens on Friday at 7:00 pm, plays on Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00 and finally on Sunday at 2:00 pm. For tickets or more information, you can call the theater at 649-9371 or click here.
