script: Richard R. George (based on the book by Roald Dahl)director: Vivian Fusillo
cast: Kerry Danielson, Lisa Michaels, Eve Cowan, Peter Armstrong, Anthony Giebel, Allison Sweeney, Rachel Muonio, Daniel Evashevski, Brian Rice, Caitlin Puckett, Thomas Brunner, MaKenzie Birchell
technical director: Jim Danneker
set design: Peggy Sannerud
lighting design: Peggy Sannerud
sound design: Nicole Volner
costume & makeup design: Erin Dostal
stage manager: Eileen Moeller
assistant stage manager: Katy Stein
With the help of some magically enhanced (or nuclear enhanced) gems, a giant peach grows in James' yard, complete with human sixed bugs. Adventure ensues.
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Oh, how sad. This play lacked everything. With some wonderful opportunities for wild action, this play delivered up nothing but static dialog delivery. When the most enjoyable part of a performance is the delightful characterization of the two aunts (wonderfully, wickedly played by Lisa Michaels and Eve Cowan), then you must realize that something is horribly wrong.
Ginat insects, inside a giant peach! And yet by being confined to the limiting set, these giant insects never got to display and character. They stood around and talked and worried about things, so that James could solve their problems.
Where is the action in a play like this? There was none. The action consisted of talk. In an adult play, this is not unusual. In a children's play, it's highly boring.
Costuming was okay, but it still would have been better served to display something even more. Why didn't we see any sea gulls? Why only two sharks (rather lamely identified)? The earthworm looked like what he probably was ... a man in a multi-colored sleeping-bag.
I once adored Vivian's children's plays. The last few that I've seen have been a colossal disappointment. Has she lost her touch? Judging by what I've seen lately...yes.
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