By Benedicte Dansie
Utah Children’s Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah presents James and the Giant Peach, which leaves both kids and adults delighted with the bright, zany production. James and the Giant Peach is an absolutely fantastic tale, an adventure of courage and whimsy that transports audiences into the world of Roald Dahl’s imagination.
Composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul the musical features bright jazzy music, catchy lyrics, and a quick tempo that keeps the narrative rolling. Director Joanne M. Parker and music director David K. Martin have done an incredible job adapting the larger than life production for the tiny historical stage that is the centerpiece of the Utah Children’s Theatre. The stage is quite tiny with pretty, pale blue designs, and a very traditional set up. This makes for a much more intimate show. It feels as though the production is a show being put on in a home theatre by kids, for kids. The whimsy of the production is highlighted by Marilyn M. Montgomery’s playful choreography, Julie Anderson’s costuming, and Meighan Smith’s hair and make-up. The set, light design, and properties (James B. Parker and Larissa Anderson) are very simple keeping the focus of the production on the characters bold personalities and wild tale.
Ricky Parkinson plays Ladahlord who works as a narrator of sorts to help fill in James’ story. His often goofy personality really appeal to the kids who constantly giggle and laugh at his antics. He guides James (Eli Stebbing) into the story, explaining that the wild tale about to be heard is all true, and then allows Stebbing to take the reins, living out his adventure in front of the audience. Stebbing has a sweet, pure voice that really highlights the innocence of the character and growth of emotion that James experiences on his journey.
Brighton Nichole Sloan and Crystal Ahlemann play the despicable aunts Spiker and Sponge who torment James after he leaves the orphanage and comes to live with them. Sloan and Ahlemann really work to make the aunts amusing, even as they’re scary and mean. They really strike the balance ensuring that the villains of the story aren’t too scary to even the youngest children in the audience.
Emily Holmgren (Spider), McKay Elwood (Grasshopper), Brinton M. Wilkins (Earthworm), Whitney Wilkins (Ladybug), and Jourdan Dixon (Centipede) make up the funny, charming, and silly group of insects that James lives with in the peach after accidentally making them human-hybrids with a magic potion. Each insect has an individual story to tell and personal trials to overcome. Combined they help James to overcome the trauma of his life in order to grow into a new, stronger person. They’re a little mismatched, and a bit odd, but they offer James a strong support system that quickly becomes his family.
Ensemble members Larissa Anderson, Sean Sweeney, Elizabeth Hanley, Eric Christian Lash, and Jana Lynne Cox do a fabulous job of enhancing the overall production. They fly through multiple costume and set changes effortlessly. Their cheerful demeanor, flashy dancing, and cheerful singing really helps to bring the show together. James and the Giant Peach by the Utah Children’s Theatre is a fun, lovely, and totally family friendly production. Broken into two fifty-minute portions it’s completely manageable for little kids, especially with how often the cast interacts with the audience (throwing beach balls, paper money, and launching streamers). The show only runs for one more weekend, so catch it quick, especially if you have little kids.
Utah Children’s Theatre presents James and the Giant Peach
3605 State St, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
April 26-May 24, 2019
Tickets: $16
Contact Number: 801.532.6000
Utah Children’s Theatre Home Page
Children’s Theatre Ticket Purchase for James and the Giant Peach
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