Tryon Little Theater and Tryon Fine Arts Center, along with the Tryon Summer Youth Theater, will present their production of “James and the Giant Peach” next month. 

The show runs from Thursday, July 19, through Sunday, July 22.  Tickets are $11 for students (18 and under) and $22 for adults. The show will have reserved seating.

“James and the Giant Peach” is directed by Chris Tinker, with musical direction my Pam McNeil.  The show is based on the novel by Roald Dahl, with the book by Timothy Allen McDonald and words and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The lead role of James is played by Roman Darity, and Ladahlord by Cash McFarlane. The two evil aunts, Spiker and Sponge, are played by Maggie Collins and Faith Augustine. Liam Daniels is Grasshopper, Eli Aldrich is Earthworm, Dylan Twitty is Centipede, Sarah Searcy is Spider and Maggie Johnson plays Ladybug.

The ensemble players are Zetta Anderson, Ellie Baughman, Alexis Falcetti, Kai Görgey, Timon Görgey, Cameron Hodges, Evangeline Petoria, Kate Price, Michaelbrook Reid, Madi Trumble, Storie Lane Whiteside and Ariana Wood.

Since 2016, Tryon Little Theater and TFAC have collaborated on the Summer Youth Show, which has been a rite of passage for local kids since 1970 when Betty Brewer was the musical director, organizers said. Brewer has been involved with every production ever since, and many parents who were in the earlier shows are now watching their own children carry on the tradition.

The entire production is staged without cost to the young actors through grants from the Polk County Community Foundation, ticket sales and the support of TLT’s sponsors.

There will be a preview party July 18, limited to 100 tickets ($50 per person), with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the indoor English Garden (original home of the Giant Peach) prior to the performance.

Tickets for both the gala and regular performances are available by visiting tltinfo.org.

-Submitted by

Monica Jones