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Temecula Theatre Talk: 'James and the Giant Peach'

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to The Village News

Sixty-one kids bowed to the standing ovation from the capacity crowd at the Bob Burton Theater, in Fallbrook, Sunday Feb. 27. The audience hooted and whistled approval as the cast took its final curtain call at the finale of "James and the Giant Peach."

Written by the acclaimed children's author Roald Dahl, "James and the Giant Peach" is one of his early works although it was preceded by "Boy" which supposedly chronicles his unhappy years at boarding school. Other familiar works include "BFG," "Matilda," and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

"James and the Giant Peach" opens as Ladahlord (Zoe Robinson) introduces the many woes of the recently orphaned James (Eiley Fazakerley) and how his life develops after he is sent from the orphanage to live with his two peculiar aunts.

After James is ordered by his wicked aunts to chop down the dead peach tree in the backyard, to James' surprise, the tree starts to grow an enormous piece of fruit right before his very eyes.

With three shows for the 2022 season, The Christian Theater Arts Project is based in Murrieta. They offer classes in singing, dancing, and acting for students from kindergarten through high school.

Fifteen-year-old Zoe Robinson (Ladahlord) remarked this was her 21st show with CTAP which covered 11 years of training. She continued, "to date, this is my favorite part." Although that may change after she auditions for the upcoming production of "High School Musical" in April. Zoe also plays piano, guitar, likes to write, and lives in Temecula.

Auditions are open to all performers from ages 8 to 18 and will be held Friday, March 4 and Saturday March 5, for "High School Musical" at their studio. The caveat being, all cast members must be enrolled as students in order to perform. For details, contact the school.

A faith-based production company, CTAP is dedicated to enriching the lives of youngsters on and off the stage.

For more information visit http://www.christiantheaterartsproject.org or text or call Jennifer Lloyd at 961-405-2159. Spring classes are filling up fast.

Note: My personal experience strongly recommends introducing children to the performing arts to help develop self-assurance and confidence, traits that will help them throughout their lives.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].

 

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