James and the Giant Peach is a Delicious Delight

by Aimee Ferenz

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a production of the one act dramatization of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach. This production is dramatized by Richard R. George and performed by the Spirit Players at the beautiful Kelsey Theatre. The story follows the abused young orphan James Trotter who lives with his aunts Spiker and Sponge. He is visited by a mysterious old man who gives him a bag of crocodile tongues that he says can do magical things. James accidentally drops a few by an old tree and they burrow into the ground, getting into the tree and creating a peach. The peach grows to a “giant” size and draws the attention of many. We later learn that the crocodile tongues also got to a few local bugs bringing them to an anthropomorphic state. The giant bugs take in James as one of their own and they go on a magnificent adventure.

The cast is directed by Haley Schmalbach, who also acts as a Producer, Props Manager, and Scenic Designer. She is accompanied by Trinity Anjelic (Assistant Director), Lauren Fogarty (producer/marketing), Melissa Gaynor (Stage manager), Ian Smith (Master Carpenter/Set Design), Terry Perri (Scenic Charge Artist/Paint), Amber Enriquez (Scenic Paint), Judi Parrish (Lighting), Eric Collins (Sound), Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Najera (Projections), and Allegra Mroz (Marketing). The group works together seamlessly, creatively using recycled items to bring the show to life in a sustainable way. I was particularly impressed by the projections throughout the play by Gonzalez-Najera. The story was told in a clear and beautiful way with this artwork and the style that fit well into the world of Roald Dahl. 

The cast is composed of incredibly talented individuals across a wide range of ages. James is split between two, Eddie Pfender and Spencer Hillman; I had the pleasure of seeing Pfender. I was impressed by this young performer’s handle on his accent and easy energy as he commanded the stage. Pfender brings James to life in a lively, charming way that maintains the pace of the story like a professional beyond his years. While I did not get to experience Hillman, there is no doubt that he matches Pfender in skill and will be a wonderful addition to the cast on his performance nights. Aunts Spiker (Shelley Bromberg) and Sponge (Lisa Arnseth) exhibit strength not just as James’ abusers but in their doubled roles as well. Bromberg not only captivates as Spiker but also brings the Glowworm to light throughout the buggier scenes. Once Sponge leaves the stage, Arnseth also performs as James’ late mother Mrs. Trotter and as the 2nd Officer on the ship, finishing out her track with various moments in the ensemble. The narrator, Edward J. Forsthoffer III, is exquisite in the role as he immediately captures the attention of the audience with a well defined childlike wonder. 

The remaining bugs are made up of Pat Rounds (Grasshopper), Ethan Shaev (Spider/Little Old Man), Christopher Schmalbach (Centipede), Jordan Schonberger (Earthworm/Mr. Trotter), Jenny Weiner (Ladybug), and Melody Weiner (Silkworm). Rounds is wonderful in this role, proving to manage not only the father figure that James is in need of, but also being quite impressive on the concertina. His relationship with Schmalbach on stage is that of life long friends. Their rapport together is easy flowing with the story while still exhibiting the vast differences in their personalities. Schmalbach is a wonder in this role, matching the gruff and worldly energy of Richard Dryfuss in the Tim Burton version of this same story. He also delivers his poetic moments with an expert timbre throughout the play which suits his Shakespeare themed vest. Schonberger not only matches the energy of the previous two insects, but even takes the performance to the next level with consistent drama and comedic timing. With Earthworm being the dark cloud of the group, it can be easy to lose the comedy in the role, but Schonberger does not fall into this shortcoming. Ladybug acts as the bubbly contrast to Earthworm and is joyfully brought to the stage by Weiner. Her kind nature is doubled further by her relationship with her real life daughter Melody who plays the Silkworm. The cast is completed by the ensemble: Lisa Arnseth, Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Najera, Barry Leonard, Brooklyn McKinney, Audrey Petry-Reitknecht, and Kendal Plumstead. Leonard has a featured role as the ship captain with which he and his first officer Gonzalez-Najera steal the show; they are accompanied by Arnseth as previously mentioned.

Overall, I found this production to be a delight. It is succinct and simple which is perfect for young audiences, completing the story in 60 minutes with no intermission. I am deeply impressed by this show being the Spirit Players’ debut show, knowing how difficult it is to get a show mounted, let alone an entire company. I am honored to be able to witness the first of many productions with this company as they maneuver through the performance world as one. You have five more chances to experience the world of Roald Dahl through February 9th and tickets can be found at https://www.purplepass.com/events/296544-james-and-the-giant-peach-feb-1st-2025