This past weekend, we took audience members on a “fantas-marific” adventure from Dover, England to New York City. Roald Dahl’s
James and the Giant Peach
performed at Te Paske Theater during Sioux Center’s Summer Celebration, June 3-6.
Audience members of all ages enjoyed the story of a young orphan boy who escapes his cruel aunts and sets off across the ocean inside a giant peach with a group of extraordinary insect friends, encountering sharks, seagulls, and other adventures on his journey to New York City.
One audience member commented, “We got to see James and the Giant Peach last night and then spent like an hour afterwards RAVING about what we loved. It was an outstanding show full of hilarious characters and fantastic music (which we continued to sing afterward). The costuming and set were out of this world! And the music! The pit orchestra is top tier! We loved it!”
Bringing this whimsical story to life required the talents of 59 performers, including cast members, orchestra musicians, and a backup chorus. Behind the scenes, a production team of 23 individuals helped make the show possible, contributing everything from directing and operating spotlights to managing front-of-house operations and sewing costumes from scratch. With auditions in January, actors have been working on this show since February, refining blocking, singing, and choreography.
The enthusiasm and support shown by our audiences once again reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of a community that values the arts. We are grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, and supported this production. Thank you for making another Summer Celebration show a memorable experience for performers and patrons alike.
