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Overview

Synopsis

After his parents are killed by a stampeding rhino, James Trotter spends time in an orphanage before being sent to the only family he has left, his aunts Spiker and Sponge. But his aunts are cruel and torment poor James mercilessly. Urged by a mysterious man called Ladahlord, James creates a magical potion in an effort to change his situation. But the magic gets away from him, and instead he creates a giant peach and human-sized insects. The aunts see a way to make money from this impressive fruit. However, the insects decide they have to escape, and with James, they cut the peach from the tree--and their adventure begins.

Based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name, James and the Giant Peach is a whimsical and magical journey of one boy out to change his life and find a real family. Opportunities for puppetry and spectacular visual effects abound, and the show is available in both Theatre for Young Audiences and Junior versions.

Show Information

Book
Timothy Allen McDonald
Music
Justin Paul
Lyrics
Benj Pasek
Based on the Play/Book/Film
James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2010
Genres
Dark Comedy
Settings
Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings, Spectacle, Period
Time & Place
England, Dover, Atlantic Ocean, New York City, 1950s
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Child, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

James Trotter

Lead

Male

Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano

Ladahlord

Lead

Male

Tenor

Spiker

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Sponge

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Spider

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Green Grasshopper

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Centipede

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Ladybug

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Earthworm

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

Act Two

  • "Have You Even Begun to Wonder?" - Insects and James
  • *"A Getaway for Spiker and Sponge" - Spiker and Sponge
  • "Everywhere That You Are" - Ladybug, Grasshopper, Earthworm, and Spider
  • *"I Got You" - Spiker, Sponge, and Company
  • *"Plump and Juicy" - Insects, James, and Company
  • "Empire State/The Attack" - Ladahlord and Company
  • "On Your Way Home (reprise)" - James
  • "Welcome Home" - Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress