WHAT: James and the Giant Peach
WHERE: Rochester Opera House
BLURB: An All-age Musical
HIGH POINT: The Impeccable, colorful performances
Sometimes it's just really important to hang up the scraggly adult suit and indulge oneself in flights of fancy. Sure, you can bring the kids along if you feel the need. But either way, James and the Giant Peach is a delightful escape from the world of duty, ridiculous, fantastical, and thoroughly entertaining no matter the age.
The best part about experiencing this production as an adult is watching peer-aged performers, and a plus-one, perfectly transform themselves into absurd beloved, iconic characters. Second best, of course, is giving oneself over to the sheer joy of a delectable, quirky, slightly dark piece of nonsensical humor.
Giant Peach, which features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and words and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is a musical based on the eponymous tale by Roald Dahl, known for his slightly frightening children's tales (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda).
This one features James, a young orphan, who is sent to live with his horrid, crooked, and abusive aunts.
Ladahlord, a man of magic, mixes a potion for James. After inevitable mishaps, and thanks to the aunts' selfishness, the peach is transformed into a house-sized fruit, and all its insect inhabitants into human-sized creatures.
Soon after - after still more Dahl mishaps - the peach, with insects and James aboard, is set adrift in the sea. There are adventures, and near misses, and additional shenanigans with the aunts, till we come to the happy ever after.
At the root of this production's success is the casting choices by Director Patrick Dorow. Brilliant.
In addition his casting and character development, Dorow's staging and multiple designs (set, prop, costumes and wigs) are colorful, and interesting, really bringing the vivid storybook quality to life.
What makes this show sing is its significant talent. Each is dropped into a made-to-order role, where they make magic happen.
Let us count the ways this show gratifies a fan and newcomer to the tale (in no particular order as they are equally smashing): The bold, untethered, yet masterly controlled performances of Heidi Gagne and Kevin Mahaney as James' awful Aunts Sponge and Spiker respectfully; the warm, appealing and easy portrayal of Spider by Jenry Towle, and the hilarious physically-beautiful execution by Chris Bradley as the timid/brave little Earthworm.
Add to that the sweet charm of Chelsea Hermann as the warmhearted and coquettish Ladybug; the thoroughly believable sincerity of Braden Foley as Grasshopper, and the smashing execution of Scott Severance's curmudgeonly Centipede. Slam dunk, one and all.
Each delivers an exquisitely entertaining, deftly conceived characterization; with body language, intonation and facial gesture they become the charming little creatures. In addition they constitute a vocal dream team.
Carson Curtis, the sole child lead, follows suit as James. Curtis's performance is truly endearing and sympathetic. The young actor is an honest talent with a uniquely textured, appealing singing voice, who delivers a smart, believable performance.
Kit Grimm, as Ladalord, the narrator, and magician, ties the goings-on together with a smart performance and another lovely voice.
The whole is further enriched by the two-dozen talented members of the youth ensemble. The ensemble, which appears an integral part rather than a group shoehorned in to fit an agenda, features an impressive unified voice, along with some great moves.
Last but not least, kudos to Lighting Designer Christian Arnold, and Sound Designer Nick Donlin for adding fine, enhancing art to the mix.
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