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02/13/2017 11:51 AMWalsh Intermediate School students are rehearsing for 'James and the Giant Peach,' Roald Dahl's classic story that comes to life featuring music from Broadway's hottest songwriters.
Branford, CT – February 13, 2017: Come see what happens when you bring together a quirky children's story, a collection of catchy tunes, and a cast of talented performers. Students from Branford's Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) are currently rehearsing for the school's 2017 spring musical, James and the Giant Peach.
Based on one of Roald Dahl's most popular and poignant stories, James and the Giant Peach is a delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic adventure, in which a boy and his insect friends take an amazing journey across the ocean. The show features a wickedly tuneful score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriting duo behind current Broadway smash hit Dear Evan Hansen, as well as Dogfight and A Christmas Story the Musical. Pasek and Paul are also the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated lyricists of the Hollywood musical La La Land.
Rehearsals have been underway since early January for the more than 60 WIS students involved in this year's show, which tells the exciting story of James' trip to New York City. Students between the ages of 10 and 13 make up the cast, stage crew, and technical crew. Student musicians are also featured members of the pit orchestra for this production.
"It's so rewarding to work with these talented students to bring James and the Giant Peach to life on the Walsh Intermediate School stage," said WIS science teacher Jeffrey Rizzo, who is in his fifth year as Director of the WIS musical. "This show is so much fun and we can't wait to share it with our family, friends, and the Branford community!"
Joining Rizzo in guiding the students are Music Director Amy Buckley, Choreographer Paola Rarick and Pit Orchestra Conductor Carol Titcomb. Buckley is a graduate of Juilliard, Rarick is the co-owner of StudioONE Dance Center in Branford, and Titcomb is a music and band teacher at WIS. Tracy Izzo is the show's Producer and coordinates the many volunteer parent committees which help support the production with everything from set construction to costumes to publicity.
There will be two performances of James and the Giant Peach, Friday evening, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon, April 1, at 3:00 p.m. Floor tickets are sold as reserved seating and tickets to sit in the lecture hall are sold as general admission. All tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased by calling (203) 418-PLAY (7529).