Music by Justin Paul Lyrics by Benj Pasek Book by Timothy Allen McDonald Based on the 1961 novel by Roald Dahl MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Directed By David Thomas Cronin
James and the Giant Peach is a staged adaptation of the iconic 1961 Roald Dahl novel with music and lyrics by the renowned Benj Pasek and Justin Paul; known for their Broadway musicals: Dear Evan Hansen, Dogfight, A Christmas Story andEdges, as well as their award winning film scores: The Greatest Showman and La La Land.
This heartfelt and magical musical depicts the “very true” story of the loneliest boy who ever lived, James Henry Trotter; a recent orphan who lost both his parents in a freak accident with an escaped rhino and is forced to live with his estranged vile and selfish aunts. A sad and mistreated James is visited by a mysterious man who gifts him a potion which will change his future, but before he can drink it he accidentally spills it on the roots of a barren tree. This once decrepit tree miraculously grows a singular ginormous peach bringing his wretched aunts much undeserved fame and fortune. James discovers a hole in the giant peach and decides to climb inside where he meets new friends in the shape of life size talking insects. This is when James, The Grasshopper, The Ladybug, The Centipede, The Spider, The Earthworm and his Giant Peach begin their iconic journey across the Atlantic Ocean!
Characters
James Henry Trotter Male (7 - 13) G#3 - E/F5 - a lonely young boy who lacks confidence at the beginning of our story. Having lost both his parents in a freak accident, he feels he belongs nowhere in the world. However, when given the right encouragement he grows to become resourceful, innovative and a good friend proving he is the true hero of our story. (British Received Pronunciation / Standard English Accent) Ladahlord Male (30 - 60) G3 - Gb/A5 - a mysterious narrator who possesses magical potions. (Transatlantic Accent) Spiker Female (40 - 70) F3 - E5 - James' mean aunt. A thief and a scoundrel. Shrewd and opportunistic. Very tall and thin. (Cockney / Working-Class Accent) Sponge Female (40 - 70) F3 - E5 - James' other mean aunt. Also a thief and a scoundrel, but not nearly as bright as her sister. Very corpulent, she often has her mind on food. (Cockney / Working-Class Accent) Grasshopper Male (25 - 40) A3 - F#/G5 - a wizened grasshopper who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. An excellent musician who has his eye on Ladybug. (British Received Pronunciation / Standard English Accent) Ladybug Female (30 - 50) A3 - D/E5 - a motherly ladybug who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Respectable and classy, she has a warm, caring heart. Has her eye on Grasshopper. (British Received Pronunciation / Standard English Accent) Centipede Male (25 - 40) G3 - F#/G5 - an ornery centipede who becomes human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Hates humans, in part because Spiker and Sponge fumigated his family. Prickly and rude, everyone thinks he is a pest. (“New Yorker” Brooklyn / Long Island Accent) Miss Spider Female (25 - 40) B3 - C/E5 - a normal spider who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Her husband was killed and eaten by Spiker and Sponge. She is warm and friendly to James. (French or “American” Accent) Earthworm Male (25 - 50) B3 - A5 - an earthworm who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. A bit of a scaredy-cat. He is neurotic and worried about everything, but is very friendly and brave when called upon. (“American” Accent)
Open Auditions will be held on Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, 2025 from 7 to 10 PM. (Callbacks if necessary will be announced at the auditions)
(Please prepare 32 bars from a contemporary musical showcasing both character and vocal range. Make sure to bring printed sheet music in the correct key as well as a recent headshot and “up to date” resume.)
Auditions will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 103-15 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Show dates are May 17, 18, 23, 24 (Two performances - 2 PM and 8 PM), 25, 31, and June 1, 2025.