The CMCS Drama Dept. Proudly Presents JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, JR.

The Calvary Murrieta Christian School Drama Department is proud to present their Spring Musical, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, JR., directed by Chelsea and Daniel Lybeck and choreographed by Chelsea Lapp and Jamie Gallagher. The production will debut April 19 at 7 PM with additional performances on April 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at the same time. All performances are in the school's sanctuary at the upper campus.

This musical show is based on the book James and the Giant Peach written by British author Roald Dahl and published in 1961. The story centers on a boy named James (Spencer Lund, 7th grader) who is sent to live with his two atrocious aunts Spiker (Lilli Cardwell, sophomore) and Sponge (Chloe Wangler, junior) after his parents are killed in a terrible tragedy. Suffering under their less than ideal care, James is soon confronted by Ladahlord (Cody Lee-Rios, junior) who gives James a magic potion intended to fill the downtrodden boy's life with wonder and adventure. In his excitement, James spills the potion onto a barren peach tree, which then produces a single peach that quickly grows to nearly the size of a house. The wonders continue James finds a doorway leading inside the peach where human-like bugs have made a home and are quick to whisk James off on a whirlwind adventure. The insects are quick to embrace James as one of their own and, over the course of their journey, become the replacement for the parents that James lost. This heart-warming, comical, and spectacle-filled show is only made more enjoyable by the lively music and songs composed by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the smash-hit duo who wrote the music for such Broadway and Hollywood successes as Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. Family friendly, this show is great for all ages and is sure to please audiences both young and old. Come watch the magic unfold right before your eyes.

The James and the Giant Peach, Jr. principle cast is rounded out by Luke Wangler (freshman) as Grasshopper, Ramah Shirey (senior) as Ladybug, Robynne French (senior) as Spider, Michael Kilpatrick (sophomore) as Earthworm, and Nathan Jasso (senior) as Centipede. Numerous ensemble roles are performed by Avery Lund, Audra Holzer, Aaron Alvarez, Caroline Csiszer, Abigail Hitt, Ashlynn Yturralde, Mack Van Wyck, Tyler Eigenseher, Kathryn Quirk, Mikayla Valenzuela, Valerie Reed, Lyndsay Wangler, and Kelsie Drabek.

"The songs in this musical are infectious and the energy this cast brings to the production is inescapably apparent." said director and teacher Daniel Lybeck, "We have a strong core of very talented singers and actors leading the way in this show. Dedication to putting on the best production we possibly can is always at the forefront of their minds. For many of them, this is their first musical-possibly even their first stage show period! But their work ethic and diligence to mastering every aspect of the script keeps that from being readily apparent."

General admission is $10; all students, senior citizens, and CMCS school staff are admitted for $8. Tickets can be purchased the night of the performance, at the door. ID verification required.

CMCS is located at 24225 Monroe Ave. Murrieta, CA.

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