James and the Giant Peach
at Larry A. Ryle High School

Reviewed on November 14, 2019

Reeya Dighe
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1

"James and the Giant Peach ," premiering in 2010 and featuring music composed by Pasek and Paul , follows the tale of the young orphan James Henry Trotter as his life is turned upside down when he discovers a magic growth elixir and watches as the peach hanging on the tree in his front yard grows to a fantastical size. He soon befriends the insects that grew along with the peach, and they set off to sail away from England and his horrid aunts, eventually winding up in New York City. James finds a family in the former insects and lives a long life free of his abusive aunts. Larry A. Ryle High School tackled this piece with creativity and energy. Through ingenuitive technical designs and larger-than-life performances, the cast and crew delivered a lighthearted and entertaining production.

Wade Yates , in the role of Grasshopper , carried the role with well-timed humor and a strong stage presence. His characterization of the role, with quirky mannerisms and a smarmy demeanor, provided an effective foil to the innocence and naivete of James's character. Opposite Yates , Elliet Malatesta, in the role of Ladybug, filled the space with her delicate, yet powerful voice, strong stage presence, and well-executed choreography. All the insects maintained superb energy throughout their dynamic performances. In the role of the Earthworm , Joshua Turner brought a somewhat farcical sense of humor to the production. In numbers such as "Plump and Juicy" Turner's comically anxious demeanor, coupled with his outrageous hot pink costume, dominated the stage.

Anchored by strong lead performers and an equally energetic supporting ensemble, Larry A. Ryle High School's production was a creative and energetic take on a childhood classic. Through incredibly powerful performers, effective scenery, and unparalleled energy, the cast and crew truly transformed the stage "right before your eyes".

Emilee Taylor
Colerain High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10

"James and the Giant Peach" is a fascinating tale of a little orphan boy, James, who is sent to his last living relatives. His closest relatives are his two aunts with the names of Sponge and Spiker. These evil aunts take advantage of the boy and treat him as a servant. This is when Ladahlord appears and gives the boy a magic potion which grows a giant peach off a seemingly dead, bug-infested peach tree in the garden of Sponge and Spiker. When the peach grew giant, so did its bugs.

Ryle High School put on a lovely production of "James and the Giant Peach." The energy from each cast member bounced off one another making for a peppy show. The show was very professional and visually appealing. It was clear to see that the students worked very hard on this production, and it worked well.

This show features many important and distinct roles. The lead, James Trotter, was played by Parker Roland. Roland played an enthusiastic young boy very well. Being only in 6th grade, his talent filled the stage and left a lasting impact on the production. Averis Morris played an excellent Ladahlord. She was always spirited and sparkling, and it wasn't just her shiny costumes. She dazzled up the stage with her dancing and liveliness. Her vocal performance in "Shake it Up" was energetic and fun. A job well-done from Morris.

All of the creatures in this show were definitely capable of stealing your heart. They all played distinctly different characters with personalities that worked off each other well. Camryn Smith played Spider, and that she did with excellence and grace. Her character was loveable, and she achieved this with her animated facial expressions. Her voice was pretty and delicate and just pleasing to listen to. A wonderful performance by Camryn Smith. Joshua Turner was another captivating performer. He delivered his lines with precise timing which made him incredibly funny. He played Earthwormwhose costume consisted of layers upon layers of earth-toned clothes which all but a pink bodysuit were removed on stage during the hilarious number "Plump and Juicy". This wholesome and sweet character was played to perfection.

The tech elements shined just as bright as the stars. Nothing was impossible for the props and set crews. In "James and the Giant Peach," the peach is a rather important aspect of the show. Not only did they have a peach grow on stage via an orange balloon and an air pump, but when the peach reached full size, it was marvelously massive. The peach set made for the primary stage of the second act. It was so large it could hold all of the insects and james with ample room. A very impressive set from Ryle Drama.

The production of "James and the Giant Peach" was absolutely spectacular. The amazing work of the students was truly a work of art, "Right Before Your Eyes."

Megan Hirka
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2

Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach" tells the thrilling tale of a young James Trotter and a peculiar peach. This classic story that many know and love was delivered quite nicely by the cast and crew at Ryle High School.

The story begins when James, a young orphan boy, is forced to move in with his aunts, Spiker and Sponge. After only a few days into his stay with the cruel women, something quite out of the ordinary occurs atop a peach tree. One of the peaches grows to be larger than life. James finds himself on a riveting journey upon entering the peach and joining a crew of life-sized insects. From sailing across the ocean to flying high above it, Ryle High School brought it all to life.

The show's cast gave a lovely performance filled with high energy and passion. The ensemble was lively and gave an enthusiastic execution. The narrator, Ladahlord, was marvelously portrayed by Averie Morris, as was the character Sponge, who was played by Grace Donahue. The male roles that stood out were those of Earthworm and Grasshopper, portrayed by Joshua Turner and Wade Yates respectively. These four performers gave an extraordinary performance that truly made them each shine on stage.

"James and the Giant Peach" is not only a difficult show to pull off performance-wise, but also tech-wise. Despite the difficulties the tech team had to overcome, they did a phenomenal job. The stage management team of Jack Archie, Sophia Hansen, and Wyatt Stephens was outstanding; each cue was spot-on, and the hard work put in most definitely could be seen. Kelly Oberst, who headed makeup, did a great job in capturing elements of each character that could be displayed through their makeup.

Overall, the cast and crew of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach at Ryle High School put on a magnificent show that truly captured the brilliance of this post-modern fairytale.

Piper Harrell
Miami Valley Christian Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3

What do you get when you combine evil aunts, a mysterious peach, and ginormous talking bugs? Larry A. Ryle High School's production of "James and the Giant Peach !" Originally a children's story by famous author Roald Dahl , "James and the Giant Peach" was later adapted into a musical by Timothy Allen McDonald , Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul .

After being cast out of an orphanage to live with his evil aunts, Spiker and Sponge , James Henry Trotter thought that all might be lost. But wait! There was hope in the form of a magical person called Lahdalord . After James received a gift from this strange person, the peach in his aunts' yard began to grow… and grow... and grow! His aunts wanted to make money off of the now giant peach, but James had other ideas, escaping his aunts by hiding inside the peach. After meeting the talking bugs living inside, he set off on a larger-than-life adventure.

Ryle's production of "James and the Giant Peach" clocked in at about two hours. In two short acts, the cast and crew brought this whimsical story to life.

Averie Morris delighted as Ladahlord . With jazzy dancing and adroit vocals, Morris captured the whimsy and humor of magical narrator Ladahlord . She and talented middle-schooler Parker Roland (James Trotter ) especially entertained when paired together for a dance number in the song "Shake it Up ."

Grace Donahue's Sponge and Ava Cirksena's Spiker were delightfully evil as Peter's wicked aunts, bringing believability to the characters through mocking laughter and sardonic sneers. Although occasionally in fast-paced scenes, some actors' lines were hard to understand, each line was delivered with intent. The cast's energy and enjoyment could be felt throughout the show, especially in its final heartwarming number, "Welcome Home ." Another highlight was the unforgettable Earthworm (Joshua Turner ) who belted an anthem of self-love in the song "Plump and Juicy" while dressed in an iconic form-fitting pink bodysuit.

Andi Scott's creative makeup was a favorite. Her bold color choices, reminiscent of festival makeup, made the insects stand out onstage. Another creative element was the simple but effective rhinoceros design—shiny silver cloth draped over a frame and carried by actors. Stage crew were extremely on top of things, maneuvering immense set pieces in short scene changes, the shortest of which was under ten seconds.

"James and the Giant Peach" was a demanding show, but the cast and crew met the challenge admirably and energetically. Their enjoyment and enthusiasm for the story was tangible, and together, they created an entertaining, memorable, and whimsical show.

Zach Standley
Randall K. Cooper High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4

Roald Dahl is famous among readers as an eccentric writer, credited for stories such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and, of course, "James and the Giant Peach." His fantastical fairy tales encapsulate the essence of childhood imagination, mixed with bits of realism and hardships for characters to prevail. Larry A. Ryle High School's performance of "James and the Giant Peach" brings the magic of Roald Dahl to the stage.

"James and the Giant Peach" tells the tale of a young boy, James Trotter, whose parents have passed and who is forced to live with his horrendous aunts, Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge. He becomes their slave, but a mysterious being known as Ladahlord stops by and grants James one magical potion. James drops the potion on an old tree, causing a massive peach to grow. Along with the peach, the potion also enlarges five insects: a lady bug, spider, centipede, grasshopper, and earthworm. James hides away in the peach and escapes his miserable life, bonding with the insects and making a new family.

Ryle High School was able to translate the wild and bizarre adventures of "James and the Giant Peach very effectively. Sets were minimalistic and easy to follow, and props were inventive and adaptable, leading to key moments of both comedy and drama. Actors seemed passionate and engaged throughout the whole musical, and crew was endlessly efficient in their transitions between scenes, which happens quite often. Overall, the musical was a huge success.

Ladahlord, played by Averie Morris, was energetic and captivating, delivering her lines with passion and lightheartedness, and bringing light with her whenever onstage. The five insects, Ladybug, Spider, Centipede, Grasshopper, and Earthworm played by Elliet Malatesta, Camryn Smith, Nathan Levine, Wade Yates, and Joshua Turner, respectively, were fantastically presented and admired by all. The five had incredible chemistry, and there was never a moment where they were on stage that was boring or that dragged. Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, played by Grace Donahue and Ava Cirksena respectively, starred both as catalysts for plot progression, and comedy relief, and the two actresses balanced comedy and drama brilliantly.

The ensemble of "James and the Giant Peach" was the Seagulls and Sharks who appeared in practically every scene as necessary. They served not only as givers of information, but had key moments of importance and humor as well. Most notably, during the fan-favorite song, "Plump and Juicy," all ensemble members had a dance-off with the lead actors which was a beautiful display of costume, color, and choreography. Overall, the ensemble had to carry much weight on their shoulders, considering the amount of costume changes they needed, but pulled it off very well.

The tech work of "James and the Giant Peach" was very original. Although running under a minimalistic view, the props and effects were managed wonderfully. There were little to no microphone malfunctions, actors were able to speak and sing clearly, and the music was never too overpowering. Props were creative and comprehensible, and again, the crew had an unbridled efficiency to nearly any other school in the state.

All in all, "James and the Giant Peach," presented by Larry A. Ryle High School, was a fantastically operated and beautifully captivating performance that left audiences on the edges of their seats, begging for more. It truly reminded viewers of the wonder of childhood imagination and surely re-sparked a buried passion in those who witnessed it.

Mary Defoor
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5

Larry A. Ryle High School's peachy performance of "James and the Giant Peach" captured the spirit of the classic Roald Dahl book with the exciting lens of the revamped musical.

The musical follows the story of James Trotter , a bright and optimistic young boy, trying to cope with the death of his parents via rhino attack while surviving in the household of his two greedy and evil aunts. Lahdahlord , the exuberant narrator, gives him a magic potion which he soon spills onto an old tree. The next morning, a gigantic peach is found to have grown overnight along with five insects that live inside. After the peach falls into the ocean, with James and the insects inside, the gang has to figure out how to survive on the floating fruit long enough to escape the boy's evil aunts. The musical was developed by Timothy Allen McDonald and Leslie Bricusse after their success with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with a songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul . A cast recording was released in 2015 after it was reworked following the 2008 run at Goodspeed Musicals . Though not a Broadway success, the musical is a popular choice among youth, regional, and children's theaters.

The overall performance gave off an exciting and fun energy that showcased the impressive elements of the show. The production's technical skill and prowess were shown through both its grand sets, scene changes, puppetry, and costumes.

The show's title character, James Trotter , was played by Parker Roland who exhibited great singing and acting talent even as a sixth grader, an impressive feat when compared to the high schoolers of the cast. Averie Morris's Ladahlord carried the show's liveliness with her enthusiastic performance. Her animated expressions and vibrant movement introduced the audience to the show's comedic and fun tone in the opening song, "Right Before Your Eyes."

Joshua Turner brought an extra vitality to the shy character of Earthworm with his wonderful performance of "Plump and Juicy," in which he is used as bait for seagulls.
Ava Cirksena and Grace Donahue played the perfect comedic duo in their performance as Spiker and Sponge . The evil but engaging pair brought out the humorous spirit of the antagonists in songs such as "There's Money on That Tree" and "I Got You." The entire performance was uplifted by its synchronized and charismatic ensemble.

The impressive set pieces, props, and costumes established the fantastical settings and locations of the show such as a giant peach floating on the ocean and the top of the Empire State Building . The creative use of a balloon hooked to a hidden hose expertly showcased the peach as it grew onstage. The crew's swift scene changes were doubly impressive when considering the grandness of the peach set, and the lighting and sound elements went off without a hitch

Larry A. Ryle High School's production fully expressed the feel of a whimsical Roald Dahl story with its technical prowess, engaging actors, and proficient crew.

Lily Deye
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6

The adaption from Roald Dahl's whimsical tale of "James and the Giant Peach" was brought to life by Larry A Ryle High. It worked as a time capsule as many watched the classic story which is known and loved by all. This musical was based off of the 1961 book where James escapes his wicked aunts by way of a larger-than-life peach. James is surprised to find five insects aboard his "getaway fruit" as they float along the Pacific Ocean. During this journey, they all are taught lessons about friendship, forgiveness, and the meaning of family.

The cast of Ryle's production did an awesome job of keeping the childlike wonder that the book is famous for. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the music for "James and the Giant Peach" which just laid the foundation for the cast who added dialect, character, and oftentimes humor into the songs. Averie Morris, who played the narrator Ladahlord, always brought an incredibly strong energy and belt with her on stage! All of the insects used the lessons of the show in the building of their characters by clearly showing the fundamentals of friendship and supporting each other on stage. Elliet Malatesta played the Ladybug and showed that even bugs can sing beautifully! Wade Yates portrayed the part of the Grasshopper flawlessly as he embodied the proper Englishman. Overall, the ensemble, leads, and supporting roles worked together to pull off this difficult, but well-executed show.

The tech was so great for this production of "James and the Giant Peach!" They built a larger-than-life set with a beautiful neon peach overtaking the stage. During the first act of the show, the insects used puppets as a creative way to keep an almost childish element to the show. The tech members who designed these were Christina Caterino, Samantha Karloski, and Emma Jasper. This was a brilliant way to show how the pages in a book can turn to life with a little bit of imagination. Jack Archie was the stage manager of this show and deserves a round of applause for keeping each transition tight and quick! Larry A Ryle High put on an amazing show and truly showed that by working together you can accomplish great things!

Juli Russ
Highlands High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7

One grieving orphan, two atrocious aunties, a couple of crocodile tongues, and a giant peach! What could possibly go wrong? Through the power of magical realism, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of "James and the Giant Peach" brought this classic tale of friendship, adventure, and sacrifice to life onstage.

Based upon the best-selling children's novel by British author Roald Dahl, "James and the Giant Peach" tells the story of a young boy named James Trotter, who is sent to live with his two aunts in Dover after his parents are trampled by a rhinoceros. At first, he is happy to have found a new home, but soon discovers that his aunts are not the loving family he anticipated and finds himself escaping their grip in a giant peach, accompanied by a motley crew of life-sized insects. This quirky, heart-warming tale truly embodies the idea that everyone has a unique place in the world.

Ryle High School's stage was chock-full of heartfelt fun for the duration of the performance. Despite the challenging nature of the show, from both an acting and technical perspective, cast and crew members demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion, making the production an absolute success.

Only a sixth grader, Parker Roland, proved to be the embodiment of young James Trotter, as his youthful innocence translated perfectly onstage. Challenging notes in numbers such as "On Your Way Home" and "Middle of a Moment" illustrated his unbelievable vocal range. James's magical sidekick and narrator, Ladahlord, played by Averie Morris, was a highly talented dancer and vocalist as well. In addition, Grace Donahue and Ava Cirksena, in their roles as Sponge and Spiker respectively, dominated the stage during their vocal numbers and lended comedic relief to the performance.

The insects, who played a particularly significant role in the second act, were also noteworthy. The chemistry between Elliet Malatesta, playing Ladybug, and Wade Yates, playing Grasshopper, was tangible. Malatesta specifically embodied her role with grace, playing into Ladybug's lovely presence in every scene. In addition, Joshua Turner let loose in his role as Earthworm, bravely stripping into a tight, pink onesie for the audience during his number "Plump and Juicy."

Technical features of the production were extremely complex, requiring careful thought and consideration. In order to create the illusion of the peach growing, a balloon was connected to an air pump and a hose. The shiny appearance of the rhinoceros, created by Emma Jasper, was an incredible feat and played into the idea of magical realism. All of this, combined with the absolutely seamless transitions facilitated by stage managers Jack Archie, Sophia Hansen, and Wyatt Stephens, helped produce a wonderful performance.

Right before the audience's eyes, Ryle High School's production of "James and the Giant Peach" was brought to life by the outstanding efforts of the cast and crew. Quirky, optimistic, and full of adventure, this show truly demonstrated what it means to find your way home.

Kalena Jackson
Miami Valley Christian Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8

Insects the size of humans sounds like most peoples' worst nightmare, but for James Trotter in " James and the Giant Peach," it was a new kind of family. This fast-paced, high-energy musical was excellently performed by Larry A. Ryle High School . The musical, based off of Roald Dahl's children's book, had lively music and lyrics by the Tony Award nominated duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul .

James , an orphan, is sent to live with his nasty aunts, Spiker and Sponge . While there, he is given a potion and before he knows what's happening, he finds himself stuck inside a giant peach with human-sized insects. As they travel in the peach, the insects and James form an unlikely friendship. When their journey comes to an end and they escape the peach, they form an unbreakable family bound.

This larger-than life storyline mixed with an eccentric cast brought about an engaging performance. The entire ensemble showed full commitment as they danced to jazzy songs like "Shake It Up" and "Plump and Juicy ."

Averie Morris, who played Ladahlord, had a captivating presence that lasted throughout the whole performance. She narrated the story with a razzle-dazzle flare, showing high dedication to such an outgoing role. Parker Roland, who played James Trotter, intricately portrayed the character development of James with his strong facial expressions and lucid movements.

Ava Cirksena and Grace Donahue portrayed Spiker and Sponge with stage antics that made the audience roar. They fed off of each other's energy and became more dynamic as the show went on. Wade Yates , who played the Grasshopper , and Elliet Malatesta , who played the Ladybug , demonstrated their strong vocals in the song, "Everywhere That You Are ." Joshua Turner showed outstanding character growth throughout the show, especially in the song "Plump and Juicy ," where he really broke it down with fun and quirky dance moves. Camryn Smith played Spider with a bright smile and kindness that radiated the stage. Nathan Levine played Centipede's annoyed character with excellence as he cocked his head and tossed irritated glances towards James . The ensemble closed out the show with energy, smiles, and powerful voices in the song "Welcome Home ."

The stage manager, Jack Archie , kept the show moving with all of its difficult and fast scene changes. He never missed a beat with his assistants Sophia Hansen and Wyatt Stephens . The run crew did an excellent job of not distracting from the scenes when they had to move a set piece with the lights still on. Kelly Oberst did an amazing job with makeup, using simple designs that helped to create a marvelous presence on stage.

"James and the Giant Peach" was a magical storyline that was brought to life by a cast and set that covered the energy and vibrancy needed for such a miraculous tale.

Tamara Sanow
Highlands High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9

Larry A Ryle High School's production of "James and the Giant Peach" brought out the imagination and inner child of every performer and crew member as James's world was brought to life.

Based on the classic Roald Dahl tale, "James and the Giant Peach" follows the title character as he learns that he will be taken in by his aunts, who soon turn out to be some of the most despicable women imaginable. James is soon helped by Ladahlord who, through her magic, helps him escape in a giant peach! Along with his new found friends, who may seem different than he, James soon learns that he can find a family.

The cast and crew were given the difficult task of making a fairy tale come to life on stage with insects, fruit that had to grow onstage, and complex musical numbers. The pack of actors all in disguise made the music echo throughout the theatre to tell this touching story.

Ladahlord , who functions somewhat as a narrator, drives the plot as she helps James to make the potion that gets the whole plot (and the peach) rolling. As Ladahlord , Averie Morris's powerful vocals presented a great start to the high-energy show. Alongside Morris , Parker Roland as James Trotter sang beautifully as he gave a truly compelling performance. He soared through the show and kept the plot moving.

A standout performance was the dichotomy between the two aunts, Spiker and Sponge. As Spiker, Ava Cirksena portrayed the more level-headed sister, while Grace Donahue portrayed the rather spastic Sponge. Their incredible chemistry drove the plot through their outlandish ideas and witty dialogue. The insects showed James that family can be found anywhere through the Ladybug's (Elliet Malatesta) motherly presence and the Earthworm's (Joshua Turner) willingness to help out in a dire situation despite his fear. The ensemble worked together to make the world come alive.

Before the living insects appeared, they were first portrayed through puppets. As props designers, Samantha Karlosky and Christina Caterino created them from scratch. They had different approaches to making each puppet in order to highlight the contrast between each insect. Each puppet was crafted with extreme precision in order to make them look as similar to the life-sized ones as possible. The marketing and publicity team worked hard in order to make sure the show was properly publicized through the intricate poster design process and practical flyer distribution process.

All in all, Ryle High's production of "James and the Giant Peach" brought a whole world to life "Right Before Our Eyes" through this touching performance.