A giant peach and a timeless message come to life in Hickory
More than six decades after Roald Dahl, the British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, introduced readers to the adventures of the orphan James in 无毛视频淛ames and the Giant Peach,无毛视频� the story continues to captivate audiences.
The Old Schoolhouse Players (OSP) in Hickory will present the musical adaptation of Dahl无毛视频檚 novel at the Mt. Pleasant Township Community Center starting Friday and continuing through Aug. 9.
Featuring a script by Timothy Allen McDonald and music and lyrics by the award-winning songwriting duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production follows a lonely boy whose journey aboard a giant peach introduces him to an unforgettable cast of larger-than-life insect companions.
Nostalgia and finding one无毛视频檚 tribe
Gianna Tress, the production无毛视频檚 director, believes nostalgia is one of the reasons the classic story resonates with audiences.
无毛视频淭he book was first published in 1961, the film adaptation was made in 1996 and the first stage version premiered in 2010, so you have generations of people who grew up with the story getting to experience it in a new way,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淚t transports people back to their childhood.无毛视频�
Beyond nostalgia, Tress said the story无毛视频檚 themes remain relevant today.
无毛视频淲e all have two families无毛视频搊ur blood family and found family,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淪ometimes you just have to step outside your comfort zone to find them.无毛视频�
Bringing the characters to life
When casting 无毛视频淛ames and the Giant Peach,无毛视频� Tress said she looked for someone who could capture the wonder and innocence of the young protagonist.
无毛视频淰iolet, who plays James, does a wonderful job expressing the curiosity and wonder of the character,无毛视频� she said.
She also praised the actresses playing the villainous aunts, Spiker and Sponge.
无毛视频淭hey have great chemistry and play off each other so well. They无毛视频檙e absolutely hilarious and have really made the characters their own,无毛视频� she said.
Tress points out that costumes and props play a large role in the production.
无毛视频淓ach insect无毛视频檚 costume not only has an insect vibe, but also portrays them with human-like features,无毛视频� she explained, noting that puppets designed and made by the artistic director will also be featured in the production.
A villain audiences love to hate
Joyce Miller, who plays Aunt Spiker, is known for her horrible behavior towards everyone and everything, including poor James.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 fun to play a comedic, ridiculous villain,无毛视频� Miller said. 无毛视频淗er interactions with her sister are hilarious, most of the time.无毛视频�
Still, there are moments that can be challenging.
无毛视频淚 often feel bad calling James nasty names,无毛视频� Miller notes. 无毛视频淚 just have to disregard those feelings until after the rehearsal.无毛视频�
Miller, who has been with Old Schoolhouse Players for 21 years, describes Spiker as mean, selfish and conniving, but says the story itself carries a positive message.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 about courage in the face of tragedy and how a family isn无毛视频檛 always about relatives, but about the relationships created through love and friendship.
She also appreciates the story无毛视频檚 sense of justice.
无毛视频淕ood always triumphs in the end,无毛视频� Miller said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 satisfying to see the bad guy get what he or she deserves.无毛视频�
The importance of community theater
Tress said that it无毛视频檚 been rewarding to be involved with OSP.
无毛视频淚 think it brings a lot to the little town of Hickory; we无毛视频檙e literally called 无毛视频楤roadway in the Country,'无毛视频� she said, adding that it brings all kinds of artists together, from orchestra members and actors, to set builders and others.
无毛视频淲e also work with other local community theaters to support and promote each other,无毛视频� she said.
One of Tress无毛视频� favorite experiences is interacting with the audience after shows when she is in character.
无毛视频淚 once had a lady come up to me and hug me,无毛视频� Tree recalled. 无毛视频淪he said she recently lost her husband and said something about my character that made her laugh when she really needed to. That stuck with me.无毛视频�
For Tress, moments like this are a reminder of why community theater matters. While audiences may come for the giant peach, colorful insects and childhood nostalgia, they leave with something more enduring: a sense of connection, hope and how family can be found in the most unexpected places.
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- The Old Schoolhouse Players无毛视频� production of 无毛视频淛ames and the Giant Peach无毛视频� will be presented at the Mt. Pleasant Township Community Center through Aug. 9. [Brian Nath]
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- 无毛视频淛ames the Giant Peach无毛视频� is a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl无毛视频檚 beloved children无毛视频檚 book. [Brian Nath]
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- 无毛视频淛ames and the Giant Peach无毛视频� is being presented by Old Schoolhouse Players through Aug. 9. [Brian Nath]
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.; and Aug. 7-8 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. For information, go online to osptheater.com.