MET's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Begins 1/30

Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) family theatre, The Fun Company proudly presents the Roald Dahl's classic James and the Giant Peach. The story of an orphan and his incredible adventure is pure fun for the whole family will run at MET for five weeks beginning January 30.

After James Henry Trotter's parents are tragically eaten by a rhinoceros, he goes to live with his two horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. Life there is no fun, until James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree and strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. Inside, James meets a bunch of oversized friends-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, and more. With a snip of the stem, the peach starts rolling away, and the great adventure begins! The play begins at the end of the story, when James and his friends are living in the giant peach stone in Central Park, New York. The story of Roald Dahl's classic tale is faithfully told by James himself and the epic journey is acted out with live action, puppetry and storytelling.

Roald Dahl's book, James and the Giant Peach, was first published in 1961. A prolific author Dahl is most well known for his children's fiction including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The BFG. In 1996 James and the Giant Peach was adapted by Walt Disney Studios into a live action film. The theatrical adaptation was a joint commission by the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and the Birmingham Stage Company, for the 2001-2 Christmas season by playwright David Wood author of over fifty plays since 1967. The production received unanimous acclaim with the Sunday Mercury advising audiences to, "move heaven and earth to see this wonderful adaptation!".

The show will be directed by MET ensemble member Shea-Mikal Green. She will direct a talented cast of Matthew Crawford, Darryl Warren, Emily Raines, Amanda Spellman, Katie Rattigan and Matt Lee. The set will be designed by Cody Gilliam?, with costumes by Julie Herber?, sound design from Lauren Johnson, properties by Bethanie Herman ?and lighting design by Chance Bender?. James and the Giant Peach will run every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm from January 30 to February 28 at MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel? at 31 W Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, MD.

The Fun Company is proud to provide a fun and educational theater experience for children. All performances will take place in Stage 2: The Greene Space? at MET, which provides the Fun Company its own family ­friendly venue that includes mats for kids to sit on while watching the show. When seeing a Fun Company show at MET kids can enjoy activities such as face painting before the show and meeting the cast after the show. Tickets are $12 (plus a $2 service fee). The Fun Company also offers group rates and birthday party packages. For more visit marylandensemble.org or call 301­694­4744.

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