Fitting for a coming of age play, “James and the Giant Peach” will be the Evergreen Playhouse debut for 14-year-old Lane Nixon, who will play James, and the directorial debut for Andrea Gordon.
Gordon’s first foray with the musical occurred when she, like Lane today, was in the eighth grade.
“This is a story I connected with a lot when I was in junior high. … I actually tried to perform a version of it, like a scene-by-scene project. It was horrible, but it was fun,” Gordon said, laughing. “So, this is basically a second chance.”
Lane, who is from Chehalis and lives in Olympia, also connected with the play, he said. As James, he sings in his actual 14-year-old boy voice, unlike in other musicals where he’s been asked to lower his pitch.
An adventure that focuses on the meaning of family, Lane said, the play is “just a really cute show.”
The story, based on the book by Roald Dahl, centers around James, who is orphaned after his parents are attacked in London by a rhinoceros escaping the zoo.
After some time in an orphanage, social workers locate two aunts — over-the-top, Monty Python-style British women — James’s only living relatives. Aunt Spiker (Austin Barnett) and Aunt Sponge (Christine Goode) are pleased because adoption comes with a weekly stipend.
“They’re awful to him,” Gordon said. “And, one day, a magical man offers him the chance of a new life, but he screws up and, instead of giving himself the new life, it gives a peach tree a new life.”
Spoiler: The peach becomes giant. When James meets the giant peach’s giant bugs, a “magical journey” begins, Gordon said.
Music for this version of the show was written by the composers for “The Greatest Showman,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and other modern musicals. Audience members should expect the unexpected, Gordon said, in the music, set design and the show overall.
“All the songs are very, very fun. Even the serious, solemn ones, they all send a message,” Gordon said.
From Friday, Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, the show will commence at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays.
A special pay-what-you can performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets ahead of time at https://evergreenplayhouse.com.
Cast list:
James: Lane Nixon
Ladahlord (the magical man): Matthew Michael
Aunt Spiker: Austin Barnett
Aunt Sponge: Christine Goode
Earthworm: Travis Martinez
Ladybug: Becki Perez
Spider: Susanna Watkins
Grasshopper: Sean-Patrick Mcneal
Centipede: Odette Mohr
Ensemble: Tim Donnell
Ensemble: Sue Robb
Ensemble: Noah MckenzieSullivan
Ensemble: Sarah Amador
Ensemble: Arlo Phillips
Ensemble: Derek Wilson
Ensemble: Emily Fitzgerald
Ensemble: Lizzie Conner
Ensemble: Malcolm Halderman
Ensemble: Irie Soleil
Ensemble: Sophia Espino
Crew:
Director: Andrea Gordon
Musical Director: Cass Manalastas
Choreographer: Naomi Dugaw
Customer: Allison Haugan
Stage Manager/Props Master: Theresa A. MckenzieSullivan
Sound Board Operator: Isaac MckenzieSullivan
Light Board and Sound Effects Operator: Cora Dailey
Set Designer/Painting: Theresa A. MckenzieSullivan
Set Construction: Isaac MckenzieSullivan, Mark Pendleton, Noah MckenzieSullivan
Scenic Painting: Sue Riddick, Shelly Metzger
