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 this Junior Version as well as Theatre for Young Audiences.
Show Information
- 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
- 1
- Genres
- Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- England, Dover, Atlantic Ocean, New York City, 1950s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Recording
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Middle School, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Written in 1961, Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach has been a staple children’s book for generations. It tells the story of orphan James Henry Trotter, who is sent to live with his cruel and sadistic aunts. James meets an old man, who gives him magic beans. Before James can use the magic for himself, he spills them, and the result is a giant peach filled with giant insects. To escape from his aunts, James climbs into the peach, and his adventures begin. Like several of Dahl’s other books,
to read the context for James and the Giant Peach JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The lights rise, and the mysterious figure of Ladahlord appears. He invites the audience to the story, and the characters enter, enticing the spectators to believe in the magic they’re about to see (“Right Before Your Eyes”).
It is 1959. At the Painswick Orphanage in London, young James Trotter is caught in a horrible nightmare: His parents are trampled and eaten by a stampeding rhino. He wakes up and makes sure that he still has the most important objects in the world to him: His mother’s
to read the plot for James and the Giant Peach JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, Treble/Boy Soprano |
Songs
- *"Right Before Your Eyes" - Company
- "On Your Way Home" - James
- *"Right Before Your Eyes (Reprise 1)" - Company
- “Right Before Your Eyes (Reprise 2)” - James
- *"Shake It Up" - Ladahlord and Company
- *"There's Money on That Tree" - Spiker, Sponge, and Company
- “On Your Way Home - Reprise” - Spiker, Sponge
- "Floatin' Along" - Insects and James
- *"A Getaway for Spiker and Sponge" - Spiker and Sponge
- "Everywhere That You Are" - Ladybug, Grasshopper, Earthworm, and Spider
- “Right Before Your Eyes (Reprise 3)” - Ladahlord
- *"I Got You" - Spiker, Sponge, and Company
- *"Plump and Juicy" - Insects, James, and Company
- “Right Before Your Eyes (Reprise 4)” - Ladahlord
- "Empire State/The Attack" - Ladahlord and Company
- "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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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