Theatre Palisades YouthPresents

Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin PaulBook by Timothy Allen McDonaldBased on the book by Roald Dahl

Directed and Choreographed byDorothy Dillingham Blue and Lara Ganz

Produced byJody Crabtree and April O’Sullivan

Musical DirectorDJ Brady

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Riley Stoler

You amaze us every day with yourfearlessness, hard work and humor.

Break a leg!!(And watch out for that spider web)

Mom, Dad & Morgan

PRODUCTION STAFFDirectors & Choreographers . . . . . . Dorothy Dillingham Blue

& Lara GanzProducers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jody Crabtree & April O’SullivanMusical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DJ BradyAdditional Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Alice BradyScenic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sherman WayneSet Painting & Construction . . . . . . . . Jim Cooper, Jeff Dixon,

Tania Collas & Tricia GrossmanLight & Sound Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy FrewStage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Josh HarperLighting & Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cole Egilsson,

Clayton Collins, Ethan Egilsson, Lilli Koenig,Conor O’Sullivan and Megan Lewis

Rehearsal Assistants / Running Crew . . . . . . . . . Tricia Taper,Lilli Sims, Jocey Crabtree, Kendall Crabtree,

Morgan Swan, Lauren Bernstein and Leila TaghibagiCostume, Hair & Make-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adriana Ruhman &

Denice EgilssonProps . . . . . . Uma Sartory, Ainslie Sugarman & Synthia GivenConcessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Parsky & Tricia StrongPublicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Kate Connolly & Allison MasseyProgram Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manfred HoferPoster Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanne ReichBox Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Grant Feltham

PRODUCTION STAFF BIOSDorothy Dillingham Blue (aka “Dottie Blue”)(Director and Choreographer)Dorothy’s love of the stage began in the community theatres of herhometown, Columbia, SC and was further nourished while she com-pleted her bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University. In addition toacting on stage and in commercials, Dorothy teaches musical theatreand dance in after school programs and coaches for auditions. Specialthanks to her husband, Travis, and her beautiful son, Rex.

You’re an amazing person and we love you,Annabelle.

Break a leg!

xoxoxoxoMommy, Daddy and Izzy

PRODUCTION STAFF BIOSLara Ganz (Director and Choreographer)Lara received her BA in Psychology from UCLA, graduated from AMDA,school for performing arts in NYC, and is currently studying to be adrama therapist. However, learning to parent her two enchanting chil-dren, Callum and Mireille, has been, by far, her greatest education. Shefeels extremely grateful for the uplifting experience of working with theTPY members over the past 3 years. She would like to thank Jon, forwell . . . EVERYthing, her mom for her infinite optimism and her dad forbeing living proof that true faith brings miracles.

Jody Crabtree (Producer)This is Jody’s 4th time as producer for Theatre Palisades Youth. She lastco-produced Bugsy Malone, Jr.with April O’Sullivan. She was introducedto the program when her daughter, Kendall was cast in Willy Wonka, Jr.She earned her B.A. at Bucknell University. Her most recent theatre ap-pearance was as Alice in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in high school.She is a docent at the Getty Villa. Jody is grateful for the opportunity towork with TPY, and thankful to everyone who makes this show possible!

April O’Sullivan (Producer)This is April’s 3rd time as producer for Theatre Palisades Youth. Sheproduced Bugsy Malone, Jr. and Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood with JodyCrabtree and is looking forward to another great production! April’sdaughter, Keely has been involved with TPY for a couple of years nowand April is so happy that she gets to share this wonderful experiencewith her! She is so thankful to be a part of the TPY community and toeveryone who works so hard to make these productions possible!!

DJ Brady (Musical Director)DJ is a composer and pianist originally from Western New York. Ascomposer, his music is featured on the Emmy-winning CBS series, TheAmazing Race. He also recently completed the score for an independ-ent feature, Can I Get A Witness Protection? When not writing music,DJ enjoys taking part in local theatre. Recent stage credits includeOliver! (Bumble) and Guys & Dolls (Music Director) at High Street ArtsCenter. Additionally, he teaches group voice lessons, also through theHigh Street Arts Center. DJ would like to thank Dorothy, Lara, and thecast and crew for making James and the Giant Peach, Jr. such a blast!Special thanks also to his wife for her continued love and support!

You have learnedwell, young

Grasshopper.Congratulations,

Liam!

We love you,Mommy, Al, Alex,

Rose & Liam

CAST OF CHARACTERS(in alphabetical order)

Ladybug / Ensemble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eliza ByrnesSponge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kerry CooperCentipede / Billy Bobby Cop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rex CrabtreeMatron Nurse / Bobby Bobby Cop . . . . . . . . . Safiyah DawuniJames / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isabella DixonEarthworm / Ensemble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoe EgilssonEarthworm / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlie GivenJames / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel GrossmanChris Cryermouth / Bitsy Botana . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safiye GurdilLadahlord / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hudson JanowSpider / Ensemble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goldie MasseyMatron Nurse / Bobby Bobby Cop . . . . . . . . . . . . Maya MillnerSpider / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keely O’SullivanCentipede / Billy Bobby Cop . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annabelle ParskyLadybug / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mia RuhmanGrasshopper / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas SartoryRidgley / Ida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyneth SeelingerSpiker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riley StolerBuzz / Doreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sierra SugarmanLadahlord / Ensemble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chelsea TrottiViolet / Lucille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anika VishwanathGrasshopper / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liam Walker

MIA RUHMANWe love you and are so very proud of you.

Thank you for all of your hard work andhappy demeanor. All of our loveto the excellent cast and crew!

Thank you all for such a lovely experience.

MUSICAL NUMBERSACT ONE“Overture”

“Right Before Your Eyes”“On Your Way Home”

“Property of Spiker and Sponge”“Shake It Up”

“There’s Money On That Tree”“Our Adventure Begins”

“Floatin’ Along”ACT TWO

“A Getaway for Spiker and Sponge”“Everywhere That You Are”

“I Got You”“Plump and Juicy”

“Empire State/The Attack”“Welcome Home”“Curtain Call”

DIRECTORS’ NOTEAs grown-ups being reintroduced to this story, we were amazed how

the music opened the world of the book beyond the page. At a time whenthey are feeling the pressure to fit in, the actors have embraced theoddities of each character with incredible enthusiasm and commitment.There’s the family you’re born into and the family that you choose. If

you’re lucky, both love and accept you for exactly who you are. Jamesisn’t so lucky, but as he journeys through our story, his eyes begin toopen to the magic that is all around him, leading him home.In the words of Roald Dahl, we invite you to: “ . . . above all, watch

with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatestsecrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’tbelieve in magic will never find it.”

— Dorothy Dillingham Blue & Lara Ganz

Mom, Dad, Cole and Ethan

Congratulations Zoe! We love you!

Anika,Your talent is limitless!You make us very proud.

WE LOVE YOU!Appa, Amma & Akshay

Eliza Byrnes (Ladybug/Ensemble) is 11 years old and in 6th grade atOur Lady of Malibu. She has been singing since she was 2 years oldand performed in her first play when she was just 5 at Young ActorsProject in Malibu. This is her first production with TPY, and she is thrilledto be playing The Ladybug. Previously she played Elsa in Frozen, wasone of The Stepsisters in Cinderella and has been in many other pro-ductions at the Malibu Playhouse. She moved to the Palisades in Jan-uary and is so excited to be part of TPY!

Kerry Cooper (Sponge) is excited to be returning to her 6th show here atTheatre Palisades. Previously, she has played Blousey in Bugsy Malone,Jr., the Queen in Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood, Pinnochio in Shrek theMusical, Old Weeping Lady #2 in The Ever After—A Musical and PheliciaTrout in Willy Wonka, Jr., along with making some appearances in schoolplays. She has won 2nd place in her school’s annual film festival for hersock-puppet drama, Sockspeare and is working on an upcoming shortfilm at the moment. In her free time, she enjoys playing the tuba and at-tempting to rap about founding father Alexander Hamilton.

Rex Crabtree (Centipede/Billy Bobby Cop) is thrilled to return for his 4thshow at Theatre Palisades. He is 9 years old opening and in 3rd gradeat Calvary Christian School. Rex’s previous theater roles include DandyDan in Bugsy Malone, Jr., Jack in Into the Woods, a knight/guard inShrek, The Musical, Tanner in Teen Beach Movie and Sam in The EverAfter—A Musical. His interests outside the theater include basketball,Minecraft, and golf.

Safiyah Dawuni (Matron Nurse/ Bobby Bobby Cop) comes from a musicalfamily and has been surrounded by the arts since birth. She has starredin a number of plays with Young Actor’s Project in Malibu, Kids on Stagein Santa Monica as well school productions. She is a singer by natureand was the lead singer and keyboard player in a band which performedat House of Blues, The Whisky and Avalon in Hollywood. Safiyah lovesto travel and has been to Africa many times as well as Asia, Europe, theCaribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and beyond. Safiyah’s passion is to continueher singing career as well as acting.

CAST BIOS

Rachel,You are a talented, loving, gentle,goofy girl. We love you and are so

proud of you!Have fun out there!

Love,Mom, Dad and Ryan

Isabella Dixon (James/Ensemble) is so grateful to have discovered TPYand musical theater in general. Her favorite times of the year are spentright here in this building on Temescal working with the entire cast andcrew. This is her 3rd production with TPY, previously playing Emma inDoo-Wop Wed Riding Hood and Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, Jr. Bella is inthe 7th grade at Paul Revere Middle School and is continuing her secretpath toward world domination. She plays both the guitar and drums, andenjoys everything musical. She loves going to the beach in the summer,skiing in the winter and fighting with her sister year ‘round. She thanksLara and Dottie for making this special, and her family (including hersister) for their endless support.

Zoe Egilsson (Earthworm) is so happy to be part of TPY’s James andthe Giant Peach production. This is Zoe’s 4th TPY show and she abso -lutely loves working in theatre. Zoe studied improv at The Electric Lodgewith Michelle Delgado and has performed in many ballet productions atPalisades Park. She loves the arts, singing, enjoys her family, and herdogs Henry and Blue. Zoe is also a vegetarian.

Carlie Given (Earthworm/Ensemble) is joining her 3rd show with TPYand loving it. She is 11 years old and in 5th grade at Palisades Elementary.Her previous performances with TPY include The Ever After—A Musicaland Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood. Every year now, Carlie looks forwardto her time with Theatre Palisades Youth. Before TPY, she attendedAdderley where she played Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Annie in themusical, Annie and Butchy in Teen Beach Movie. She enjoys singing,dancing, art and acting. She also enjoys going to the beach and surfing.

Rachel Grossman (James/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at New West Char-ter and is so excited to be performing in her 6th TPY show. She starredas Blousey Brown in Bugsy Malone, Jr., Fiona the Ogre in Shrek the Mu-sical and was Cinderella in The Ever After—A Musical. Singing, acting,and exploring are her greatest passions. She also absolutely loves Dr.Who, and basically anything and everything related to cats. She wouldlike to thank Dottie, Lara, D.J. and Mary Alice for the support, encourage-ment and dedication they have shown to all of the actors in TPY. Rachelwould also like to thank her wonderful family for supporting her in whatevershe does (sometimes it’s outrageous) and letting her be a part of TPY.

Safiye Gurdil (Chris Cryermouth/Bitsy Botana) is in 4th grade at Pali -sades Elementary. She is thrilled to be joining the cast in her first TPYproduction! Most recently, she performed the role of Aurora in the Pali -sades Recreation Center’s ballet, Sleeping Beauty. Safiye loves musicand also plays violin in the Children’s Music Workshop All Schools HonorChamber Orchestra at UCLA. She would like to thank Dottie, Lara andall the TPY staff for their encouragement.

Hudson Janow (Ladahlord/Ensemble) is very excited to be making hisTPY debut! A fifth grader at Wildwood Elementary, Hudson has appearedin Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie) and The Lion King (Scar),and in his free time, enjoys playing the piano, reading, writing stories andhanging out with his friends. He would like to thank his mom, dad, andgrandparents, for all of their love and support, and for encouraging himto always pursue his dreams.

Goldie Massey (Spider/Ensemble) is excited to perform again for the2nd time with Theatre Palisades Youth. She attends Calvary ChristianSchool as a 5th grader. She has done Bugsy Malone, Jr., Peter Pan,Annie, I Love California, Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. In herdowntime, she likes to play football and tennis and she loves to danceboth ballet and hip hop. She would like to thank mom, dad and the bestbrother in the world, Duke.

Maya Millner (Matron Nurse/Bobby Bobby Cop) is 12 ½ and this is hersecond TPY production. She appeared as the Radio Announcer andBenny Lee in last summer’s TPY production of Bugsy Malone, Jr.Mayahas enjoyed acting and being theatrical ever since she was old enoughto talk. Maya has performed previously in the Adderley School’s pro-duction of Wicked (where she was cast as Elphaba) and Hairspray(where she played Edna & Penny). Maya also enjoys dancing. Until re-cently, she danced at Fancy Feet and now she dances as part of NewWest Charter’s middle school dance program. Maya loves everythingabout the creative process. Maya would like to thank her family andany friends of hers who come to see her in this show (thanks for comingguys!). Finally a big thanks to Dottie and Lara for their tireless work andenthusiasm.

Congratulations, Keely!We are so proud of you—

you never cease to amaze us!Love,

Love, Mom, Dad, Rory, Conor & Riley (woof!)

Keely O’Sullivan (Spider/ Ensemble) is 12 years old and can’t believe thisis her 5th production with Theatre Palisades Youth! She has been in theproductions of Bugsy Malone, Jr., Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood, Shrek, TheMusical and The Ever After—A Musical. Keely is currently in 7th grade atCorpus Christi School and has performed in 2 productions at Corpus; WillyWonka Jr. and Annie. Keely has always loved dance and theatre; dancingin multiple shows with Fancy Feet Dance Studio; including Annie and MaryPoppins. She has also performed in Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoatwith CATS in Rustic Canyon. Keely loves the community withTPY and considers them her second family! In her free time, Keely lovesplaying volleyball, with her dog Riley and hanging out with her friends.

Annabelle Parsky (Centipede/Billy Bobby Cop) is a 5th grade student atWildwood Elementary School. She is thrilled to be back for her 3rd winteryouth production at Theatre Palisades. Annabelle also enjoys playingguitar, hanging out with her friends and family, reading and photography.

Mia Ruhman (Ladybug/Ensemble) is 12 years old and excited to be in her9th production at TPY. She has performed at the United Methodist Church,Whisky a Go Go, Key Club, House of Blues, Broad Stage, Lincoln Center,Carnegie Hall, Royce Hall, Hollywood Bowl and Disney Concert Hall. Miais in her fourth year as a member of the National Children’s Chorus. Sheplays the piano and violin and loves playing soccer and watching Netflix!

Nicholas Sartory (Grasshopper/Ensemble) is making his third appear-ance with TPY after performing the role of Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, Jr.last summer, and debuting as Wise Prince Jason in Doo-Wop Wed Wid-ing Hood in the spring. He is greatly looking forward to playing a characterthat “always likes to look on the bright side of the world.” Nicholas recentlyjoined the National Children’s Chorus and studies piano at the PalisadesMusic School. Currently in third grade at Marquez Charter, his other in-terests include soccer, football, hiking, performing magic and card tricks,and his newest device, an iPod Touch.

Best of luck to the entire cast ofJames and the Giant Peach!

Go get em’ Goldie Girl!

Lots of Love,Allie, Brian, Duke and Tess

CongratulationsRex!

You are ourfavorite bug.

Love, Mom,Dad, Jocey,

Kendalland Charlie

Gwyneth Seelinger (Ridgley/Ida) is in 4th grade and this is her first showin the TPY program. Gwyneth has performed Hairspray, a Dee-LightfulProduction and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Theatricum BotanicumShakespeare Camp last summer. She enjoys singing and soccer. Shewould like to thank her mom and dad, her voice coach Beth Anderson,Dottie, Lara and the staff at TPY.

Riley Stoler (Spiker) is in 5th grade at Marquez Elementary. This is her6th show with TPY. When not performing, Riley practices flying trapeze,makes short films, does gymnastics, plays flute in orchestra, competes infigure skating and continues her quest to find the perfect donut. She hasa slightly unhealthy obsession with Dancing with the Stars, Hamilton andunicorns. She would like to thank her parents and little sister, Morgan.Special thanks to Dottie, Lara, DJ and Mary Alice! “Awesome. Wow.”

Sierra Sugarman (Buzz/Doreen Driggles) is 10 years old and attendsPalisades Elementary, where she is in 5th grade. She loves singing,dancing, playing golf, and playing basketball. Sierra has performed inshows with The Adderley School and CATS. This is her first perform-ance with Theatre Palisades Youth.

Chelsea Trotti (Ladahlord/Ensemble) is proud to be in her 6th TPY Pro-duction. Some of her previous roles include Step Sister 1 in The EverAfter—A Musical, Mr. Bucket in Willy Wonka, Jr., “Susan the Goth Girl”in High School Musical, Violet Flower in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Otherproductions include The First Leon, Godspell and Holicrazed. Chelseais in 7th grade at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, where she is cur-rently playing Sharpay in High School Musical (March 11th and 12th). Ashameless plug, we know! She loves to hang out at the beach, play vol-leyball, fangirl online, and is wild about doing awesome stuff with herfriends. Chelsea also enjoys writing and directing short films. Chelseawould like to send a big shout out and “THANK YOU” to Dorothy, Laraand the whole cast and crew for making TPY such a special place to be!

Anika Vishwanath (Violet/Lucille) is very excited to be a part of Jamesand The Giant Peach. This is her second show with TPY. She has beena part of other theatre performances. Anika has been a part of showsby the Red Chair group where she performed ballet and tap. She is a7th grader at Marlborough School. Anika enjoys singing, dancing, gym-nastics, and traveling. She would like to thank the TPY cast and crewand hopes to be a part of many more shows.

Liam Walker (Grasshopper/Ensemble) is performing for the 2nd timewith TPY. He is an 8th grader at Paul Revere Middle School. His new-found passion is musical theatre, and in the last year he has performedin productions of The Music Man, Free to Be . . . You and Me and TPY’sDoo-Wop Wed Widing Hood. In addition to singing and acting, he playsthe alto saxophone in the Revere advanced band. The only thing heloves more than performing is going to Six Flags. Liam is grateful toDottie, Jody, April, Lara and all the staff at TPY and all the parents whovolunteer their time to make these productions possible.

Kumon Math & Reading Center of PACIFIC PALISADES

860 Via De La Paz, Ste. C1Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

310-526-5445 • kumon.com/pacific-palisades-ca

Give your child an academic advantage!

©2016 Kumon North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FO

R AGES

3+

WE MAKE YOUR SMART KIDEVEN SMARTER!

SCHEDULE A FREE PLACEMENT TEST TODAY.

James and the Giant Peach Jr.Word Search

Find the following words:CENTIPEDEEARTHWORMGRASSHOPPERJAMESLADAHLORDLADYBUG

MAGICROALDDAHLSPIDERSPIKERSPONGE

Y B W V T Y E F Y G L E S G ES P I D E R A L V A G J U V JJ E C N I I R H D Y I B W C SG Z D O P Z T A P C Y N K T PN R N R I U H D N D S N R P TA S A B Y L W D A V P D H W QP U Z S O O O L Z C O T G J GS T V R S M R A J E N Q A V IM P D G W H M O Z R G M L B JX Z I V U J O R J T E F U J CJ C K K N T F P R S G K G U CD A R I E E D E P I T N E C EJ O Z N L R H I F E N Z V I OU T P V B Z Y T O Z R P A D CC I G A M E E N Y D Z H J Q L

What is TPY?TPY is the youth theater production group at the Pierson Playhouse in Pacific

Palisades for kids in grades 3-9. There are two productions a year: Winter andSummer. Winter productions have auditions in November, rehearsals in Jan-uary and February and then shows are usually late February and early March.

Summer shows hold auditions in April, rehearsals in July and the showsare in late July and early August.These are professional quality shows per-formed in our 125-seat community theater, before paying audiences.

How can I get involved?The best way to find out about TPY and how you can be a part of it is

to follow us @TPYouth on Twitter or on the Theatre Palisades Facebookpage. We will post there when auditions are for Winter and Summer shows.Or check in on the Theatre Palisades website for all information about theYouth program www.theatrepalisades.org.

THEATRE PALISADES YOUTH