One of the charms of living in a small town such as Malibu is attending the local high school theatrical productions at Malibu High School, where teenagers sing and dance their hearts out to entertain the community.
Friends, family and the community at large came out to support the latest production at MHS last weekend, “James and the Giant Peach.” The musical, which almost made it to Broadway, was written by the highly successful songwriting duo Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, who are hot off winning a Tony this year for “Dear Evan Hansen” and an Academy Award for their work in “La La Land.” “James and the Giant Peach,” based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl, was an ambitious production pulled off once again by MHS theater director Jodi Plaia.
“I love the story,” Plaia said. “We’re telling it from the point of view of James’ life.” Orphaned as a young boy, James is sent to live with his atrocious aunties, hilariously brought to life by Winona Weber and Claire Aneet. Their Edwardian outfits, including a wig of Marge Simpson proportions, add to the clever staging that indeed does include what evokes a giant peach.
James, exuberantly played by MHS junior William Hammond, ends up living on the giant peach with his insect friends. Act Two’s bittersweet ensemble number “Everywhere That You Are,” featuring James and the insects, was a highlight of the musical that was able to showcase the group’s many talented singers.
“It is a true ensemble,” Plaia noted. “They’ve worked really well together. It was the first time we got to go to the elementary schools and do assemblies because ‘James and the Giant Peach’ fits with our elementary curriculum and it was wonderful to be able to bring something back to our community. To see them light up with live theater was really fun for the entire cast—that was neat.”
MHS Spanish teacher Alyson McKenzie said she loves the variety of presentations at the school.
“I enjoy the performances. I’m always impressed with the students and the amount of talent, especially under the direction of Jodi Plaia and the fabulous musical staff,” McKenzie said. Stalwart Joellen (Cha Cha) McNaughton and Roc McNaughton skillfully undertook the entire musical score on piano.
MHS parent Karen Farrer called the show “amazing.”
“We’ve been coming to plays here since 1991 when our oldest child was in kindergarten. I’m sitting here and I’m picturing every single kid on Broadway,” Farrer shared. “I see some of the moms here whose kids graduated. We are definitely going to keep coming to these shows after our daughter graduates. They’re too good not to.”
The family of lead Hammond was surprised to hear British accents in the show. Hammond’s 20-year-old brother Matthew Hammond was impressed, saying, “The entire show was very, very strong. Amazing attention to detail. Great music. And the British accents were superb. We were all very surprised. We had never heard his accent before. We loved it. We’re very proud.”
Another brother, 23-year-old Alexander Hammond, spoke to the dedication of the young actors.
“They put in hours. It’s an amazing commitment. Amazing energy,” Alexander said. “It was William’s favorite production so far at MHS. We’ve watched the whole cast grow and we’ve seen how every single person has improved. Nobody does this if they’re not completely dedicated. They put in hours. You can tell this is where their heart is.’’
“It’s great to see it reciprocated with the audience, their director and people who nurture and take care of them,” Matthew chimed in.
Junior Aneet, along with stage partner Weber, played the comic relief duo in the show.
Aneet, who played Aunt Sponge, said the experience was “indescribable.”
“Being in the show was just magical and being able to work with Winona was indescribable, to work with someone and have chemistry,” Aneet said. “Your cast is your family and Ms. Plaia is a wonderful teacher and she makes you bring out the best in yourself. I’ve had such a good time performing.”
Her partner, Weber relayed, “I liked the physicality. It was awesome to have the opportunity to be somebody that’s so out there.”
Weber has been performing at MHS since she was in sixth grade and said she can’t even count how many productions she’s acted in. The senior is now applying to colleges and wants continue her studies in theater, public policy and minor in women’s studies.
Plaia, who’s directed at MHS for 16 years, summed up, saying, “Every group is different and special but this was the play that fit this group.”
