James and The Giant Peach
A New Musical based on the book by Roald Dahl
Music by Justin Paul, Lyrics by Benj Pasek, Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
First Stage, Milwaukee 2015
Costume Design by Melissa Torchia
Scenic Design by Kristin Ellert
Lighting Design by Jason Fassl
Choreography by Edwin Olvera
Musical Direction by Paul Helm
With this piece, I started with the idea that James is the little light surrounded by the darkness that fills so much of Dahl's work. Shadowplay — a combination of traditional shadow puppets, live silhouettes, and overhead projected transparencies — allowed for shifts in perspective to illuminate James' discovery of a new family on this epic journey.
"★★★★★" —AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO
"It is First Stage at its absolute finest... incredibly innovative... —ONMILWAUKEE.COM
"A 'miraculously fantasmaterrific' production under the innovative direction of Matt Daniels... with a little traditional stage magic used in amazing ways. —BROADWAYWORLD.COM
"A peachy-good production... In Dahl's book, a marveling James describes this expanding peach as 'the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.' Daniels illustrates why... What a wonderful concept!" —MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL
Click on an image for larger slideshow view. Photos © Paul Ruffalo