'One big family': Putting on 'James and the Giant Peach' unites Coshocton High School cast

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
Updated ·3 min read

COSHOCTON − "James and the Giant Peach" is about an orphan boy who finds a family in an unlikely place, and family is what members of the Coshocton High School Theatre Club said they've found as well.

"James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" is based on the classic children's book of the same name by Roald Dahl. The school last performed the work in 2018.

Junior Alahna Thompson plays James in "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" at Coshocton High School. She's seen here with a potion book that allows her to grow a peach to a giant size.
Junior Alahna Thompson plays James in "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" at Coshocton High School. She's seen here with a potion book that allows her to grow a peach to a giant size.

The story is of a 7-year-old boy who is sent to live with his horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge, but is given a magic potion by a mystical being to escape it all. The potion makes a peach grow to a giant size and gives consciousness to the insects that live in the peach tree. James joins with Spider, Green Grasshopper, Ladybug, Earthworm and Centipede to travel across the ocean in the peach.

Adviser Kris Hardesty said they brought the musical back said it was well received last time, has great songs and enough parts for their actors. They were able to recycle a lot of the choreography and stage blocking along with some costumes and sets.

"It's a lot of fun and they love the movie, but it's also accessible to junior high kids," Hardesty said.

The travelers of the giant peach in "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" react to rolling through town and winding up in the ocean. The primary cast consists of Mallorie Stamper as Spider, Alahna Thompson as James, Nela Wiredu as Earthworm, Tayvah Deran as Ladybug, Jordynn Frye as Centipede and Finn Webb as Grasshopper.
The travelers of the giant peach in "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" react to rolling through town and winding up in the ocean. The primary cast consists of Mallorie Stamper as Spider, Alahna Thompson as James, Nela Wiredu as Earthworm, Tayvah Deran as Ladybug, Jordynn Frye as Centipede and Finn Webb as Grasshopper.

There are 38 students involved on stage and behind the scenes with 23 in junior high school. Hardesty started a junior high club two years ago and they've performed mock radio shows at Christmas. She said this is a way to get students interested in theater at a younger age as the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their activities.

Eighth-grader Finn Webb plays the Grasshopper. Even as a young child he's always wanted to try acting and this was his opportunity. He wants to stay with the club through high school.

On what he's liked about the experience so far, Webb said, "A lot of the bonding experience, most definitely, and the fun we have in general. Even if it's really hot in (the auditorium) or stressful, it's still a lot of fun."

Tayvah Duran as Ladybug, Alahna Thompson as James and Finn Webb as Grasshopper rehearse a scene from "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" playing Friday and Saturday at Coshocton High School. There are 38 students involved with a majority from junior high.
Tayvah Duran as Ladybug, Alahna Thompson as James and Finn Webb as Grasshopper rehearse a scene from "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" playing Friday and Saturday at Coshocton High School. There are 38 students involved with a majority from junior high.

Eighth-grader Teyvah Deran plays Ladybug. She describes her character as a motherly type who always offers moral support to the ragtag group. She's also enjoyed the experience of just everyone working together.

"We're lucky to be where we are right now, especially with the size our theater department is. We don't have a lot of people interested in performing arts, so it's nice to see a lot of people involved," she said of the current production.

Junior Nela Wiredu said seeing the younger students grow as they put the production together has been one of her favorite things. She plays Earthworm, who's scared of everything and doesn't think the adventures will work out for them.

"We have a really young (theater) department, but they're really, really skilled and talented," she said.

Junior Alahna Thompson stars as James and has been involved with theater club throughout high school. It's not lost on her that she's a mentor to the younger students who will keep theater going after she graduates.

"It's amazing to see how they grow as a family. That's what I think of theater, it's one big family," she said.

Of getting someone to come see the show, Thompson said,

"James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in McKinley Auditorium of Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Road. Tickets are the door are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

The cast includes Alahna Thompson, John Stamper, Eva Miller-Stanton, Terra Wilcox, Mallorie Stamper, Finn Webb, Tayvah Deran, Nela Wiredue, Jordynn Frye, Aubree Bantum, Alex Ranalli, David Hogue, Lexie Hatton, Zylee Stanton, Josaline Leasure, Kaelyn McClister, Kara Tignor, Harmony Fisher, Maddy Layman, Kristina Little, Rihanna Lewis, Caden Griffiths and Alan Harstine.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton students present 'James and the Giant Peach: The Musical'