MST to Present JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, 4/19-5/17

Main Street Theater presents the fantastical tale of James and the Giant Peach, based on the book by Roald Dahl. James... will play Saturdays, April 19 - May 17 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Boulevard in the Museum District. Ticket prices for public performances are $17 - $13. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Group rates are available.

Special performances and rates are available for school matinees. Call 713.524.9196 ext 101 or visit the website.

After his parents' tragic death by rhinoceros, James is sent to live with his horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. The contents of a magic bag transform an old peach tree into a portal to adventure, and James is able to escape his miserable existence. He makes new friends with a host of fantastical creatures and travels across the ocean on a giant peach to New York City. James and the Giant Peach is a classic tale of friendship and a masterpiece of children's literature. Recommended for Kindergarten and up. No children under 3 allowed in the theater.

On Saturday, April 26, MST will hold its Page to Stage Book Club meeting at the Blue Willow Bookshop at 10am. The club meets over the course of the season to talk about the books the MST Theater for Youth plays are based on, meet characters from the books, have a snack, make crafts, and hear a reading from the book. Children can bring their own copy of the book or purchase it at a discount at Blue Willow (14532 Memorial Drive). To RSVP for the book club, send an email to vstjohn@mainstreettheater.com. There is no charge to attend.

Troy Scheid is the director. The cast includes Brittny Bush, Michael Chiavone, Alan Hall, Joanna Hubbard, Shane Manning, and Rodrick Randall. The design team includes Torsten Louis (set design), Eric L. Marsh (lighting design), Macy Lyne (costume design), Robert Kreps (sound design), and Rodney Walsworth (properties design). Danielle Docwra is the Production Stage Manager.

Main Street Theater was founded in 1975. The organization produces plays at two locations, 2540 Times Boulevard in Rice Village and 4617 Montrose Boulevard at Chelsea Market. Our MainStage is in its 38th season and its 13th season operating under an Actors' Equity Association union contract. The MainStage features new works (including numerous world and regional premieres), rediscovered classics, passionate revivals, works by female playwrights, and neglected musicals in the intimate setting of our Rice Village location. Our Theater for Youth is Houston's most-attended theater for young audiences, serving over 135,000 children and families from the greater Houston area in school performances, weekend family matinees and tours to schools and community centers across the state of Texas. Plays are selected based on literature children are reading at home or at school. Our Education Department offers students a performing arts playground where professional theater artists serve as mentors. In support of Main Street Theater's mission, our Education Department provides a significant resource in the community for education in theater and classical theater for children, families and educators and provides classes and camps (on and off-site) as well as programs in residential treatment facilities for Harris County youth.

Main Street Theater is a founding member of Houston Arts Partners and a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for not-for-profit theaters. Main Street Theater is also a member of Actors' Equity Association and of Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (formerly ASSITEJ), the world theatre network of theatre for children and young people. Main Street Theater is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.