Stoneham Theatre Presents JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Stoneham Theatre continues its 17th Season with Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, a family-friendly musical journey of enormous proportions. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a giant peach. When the peach rolls into the ocean with James and his new insect friends aboard, they face hunger, sharks, and plenty of disagreements as they float across the Atlantic Ocean to New York City.

James and the Giant Peach runs November 5-6, 2016 and is directed by Stoneham Theatre Director of Education Dori Robinson, "young audience members will be delighted by the singing, the dancing, the incredible costumes, and the character of James. In addition to all of this, older audience members will appreciate that we've acknowledged the darkness in Dahl's work. Everyone has a special treat in store when they see the puppets! These are large, imaginative, unique creative elements that move in unexpected ways. It will be a one-of-a-kind performance experience!"

James and the Giant Peach is the inaugural production of the Advanced young company Ensemble (AYCE), an audition-based performance program designed for the strongest and most dedicated young theatre artists. "Our education program is an essential aspect of who we are as a Theatre and we are always looking for ways to expand opportunities for our students and to connect our educational programs with our work as a professional theatre. Programs like young company comes to Mainstage, where we designate 4-6 age-appropriate roles for young company students to perform as part of our Mainstage season, are what make the young company truly unique. With the creation of AYCE we are able to provide not only an excellent Mainstage-level educational performance experience for our most advanced students, but to also provide the highest quality family theatre offerings to our audiences. We're excited for this inaugural year of AYCE and hope it is a vital part of Stoneham Theatre for years to come," shares Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes.

The James and the Giant Peach cast features Ava LaRoche (Boxford) as James, Julia Talbot (Melrose) as Earthworm/Passing Man, Caroline Castro (Peabody) as Bitsy/Passing Woman/Ensemble, Talia Cutulle (Saugus) as Ladybug, and Hope Johnson (Winchester) as Centipede.

The cast also features four actors from Stoneham: Daria Contino (Spiker), Dalilah Degen (Sponge), Katie Kelley (Spider), and Eddie Pizzano (Ladahlord); two actors from Lynnfield: Andrew Bunar (Grasshopper) and Elizabeth Daly (Buzz/Man/Ensemble); and two actors from Wakefield: Melydia McCall (Matron/Madame Guild President/Ensemble) and Elisabeth Nordeen (Reporter 1/Cop/Ensemble).

The design team is comprised of Master Puppeteer and Movement Director Jonathan Zautner, Music Director Bethany Aiken, Scenic Designer Sarah Rozene, Lighting Designer Bobbie-Jean Powell, Costume Designer Chelsea Kerl, Sound Designer Chris Larson, and Props Master Sarah Bedard.

Single Tickets for James and the Giant Peach: $25 Adults; $20 Member Add-on; $15 Students (with valid ID). For more information or to purchase tickets, call Stoneham Theatre's Box Office at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

Student matinee performances of James and the Giant Peach are also available. Please contact Carol Dempsey, Director of Sales, at carol@stonehamtheatre.org or (781) 279-7885 x105 for more information.

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