By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
It’s not often you hear a director asking the “insects” to gather center stage after a scene transition.
But there they are, huddled together with their new friend James (Lola Hitchcock), on a platform representing the peach in the upcoming musical “James and the Giant Peach”: Ladybug (Ada Olbrych), Grasshopper (Averie Haavig), Spider (Jolene Bakkes), Earthworm (Sylas Degner), Centipede (Ricky Urias) and Glowworm (Harper Bartolaba).
The cast of "James and the Giant Peach" rehearse. (Sentinel Photo)
The Young Performers Theater show opens 7 p.m. Friday in Odess Theater. Other performances are 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The show is presented by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and directed by Zeke Blackwell.
It’s the second Young Performers show of the season, but the first for this younger age group.
The kids – all of them age 11 – clearly are enjoying being together – even though the characters have their soft and rough edges – for their first live show since the pandemic. And those who spoke to the Sentinel say the play has strong messages about friendship and family.
“You always have friends,” said Ada Olbrych, who plays Ladybug. “And that your true family doesn’t have to be your real family.”
“His parents passed away so James is finding a new family, and finding that there are other people in the world who can love you,” said Morgan Hames, who plays the showman Ladahlord, an acronym for author Roald Dahl.
Lola Hitchcock, who plays James, gives the music in the show solid reviews. The songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (commonly referred to as Pasek and Paul) also wrote the music for the Tony-winning “Dear Evan Hanson.”
Asked whether her role was a large one, Lola said it was, “but there are a lot of awesome parts in the script.” She said she’s nervous for her solo “On Your Way Home,” which she sings to Ladybug and Grasshopper. It’s an emotional song, but she nails it in Wednesday’s rehearsal.
“It’s about, when you get there, is it perfect, when you get to where they live,” she said. “And I (as James) am thinking about my parents and how I don’t have them anymore.”
Lola said there’s a lot of humor and upbeat music as well, including the dance-y number “Shake it Up,” and “Property of Spiker and Sponge.” Morgan had a similar list and added “Plump and Juicy,” and “There’s Money on That Tree” to the collection of fun tunes.
The three who spoke to the Sentinel listed their impressive resumes, which included “Sideways Stories of Wayside School,” “Seussical!” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Pirates of Penzance,” and “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Blackwell said a highlight for him has been the influx of new performers – about two-thirds are doing their first YPT show – and the way the veterans have stepped in to show the new actors the ropes.
“There’s lots of fresh energy and exciting ideas and curiosity about how theater works, so that’s really fun,” he said. “And there are a handful of returning YPT veterans – the last time they did a show, they were the little ones. Now they’re getting a chance to be leaders and help the little ones so that’s been really fun.”
Similar to professional shows, many of the characters have microphones to help with projection. Students in the YPT tech program, taught by Elle Campbell, will run the show.
After this play wraps, Blackwell will continue teaching through the semester then gear up for the next class where the older kids will rehearse for the musical “Matilda” in 2022.
This weekend’s production is the “junior” version of the play. There is no intermission and the show runs about 75 minutes.
Proof of vaccination is required at the door for those age 12 and up and masks are required. Tickets are available at the door and fineartscamp.org for $10 for adults and $5 for youths under 18. Children 5 and under are free.
