INFORMATION: (619) 670-1627
"A THEATRE EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME"
at Young Actors' Theatre
July 1-10, 2021
at ENCORE! Theatre
Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach is now a musical for the whole family to enjoy! Featuring a wickedly tuneful score by the Tony Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul (Dogfight, A Christmas Story the Musical, Dear Evan Hansen) and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley), critics rave: James and the Giant Peach is a "masterpeach!"
When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.
A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, the creative possibilities with James and the Giant Peach are endless. Actors will love playing the outlandish characters and performing brand new material from one of Broadway's hottest duos.
Director/Choreographer:
Joe Dionisio
Originally from the Bay Area, Joe moved to attend college at UC San Diego where he received his bachelor’s degree in Theatre. After receiving his degree, Joe worked with a few San Diego based theatre companies, including being stage manager for a production with Ion Theatre Company. He also was production stage manager for the Latin American Multimedia Company and their television production of Dos y Dos. For YAT, Joe has been both on stage and behind the scenes, and was stage manager for YAT’s productions of Grease, The Music Man, Hairspray, Shrek and Beauty and the Beast, as well as director for Schoolhouse Rock, Legally Blonde, Peter & the Starcatcher and Seussical.
Music Director
Matt Ignacio
Matt is a cantor and director of the Youth Choir at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, where he recently starred as Joseph in the SJC Drama Ministry's production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He is always thrilled to musically direct in YAT productions. He loves being able to work with such talented students. Previous shows include Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Bye Bye Birdie The Music Man, Mulan, The Jungle Book, jr. and many more.
Co-Choreographer:
Dylan Masis Thomas
Dylan has performed in 21 shows at YAT, he loves being a part of this theater. He is very excited for the opportunity to be the co-choreographer for James and the Giant Peach. Dylan has been taking dance classes since he was 7 years old. Dylan started his dance career in a hip hop class at the Kroc Center. He also studied ballet, tap and hip hop at YAT for several years. Dylan has continued to develop his skills and studies dance with Infinity Dance Arts. He was recently promoted to Acro 4 and Hip Hop 4. He also studies Lyrical and Tap and is in level 3 in both styles.
Stage Manager:
Max Coston
Max Coston is so happy be the Stage Manager for YAT’s James and the Giant Peach working with the amazing Joe Dionisio. He is currently a Junior in high school and until recently participated in Theatre there as well. Max has been involved with YAT since he was 9 years old and has enjoyed working with YAT in every production he has participated in. In addition to theatre, he has taken on a passion for political activism and he holds leadership positions in organizations like Team Enough and March for Our Lives. Max is very excited to Stage Manage his first production and he would like to thank Joe and Kristina for this incredible opportunity.