As children’s writers go, Roald Dahl is arguably one of the best. His books are fun, quirky and unique — James and the Giant Peach is no exception.

After the initial release of the book in 1961, James and the Giant Peach was transformed into an exciting and eccentric musical in 2010. The rights for the play were released, allowing local theater groups to perform the musical; this year, Lake Region Community Theatre takes on the challenge of performing the whimsical story of James and the Giant Peach.

“Right before your eyes,” the story of James comes alive through the LRCT cast. The musical follows James Henry Trotter (Katherine Akeley, Kevin Jackson), an orphan, whose parents died from a rhinoceros attack. As a result, James moves in with his quirky and cruel aunts, Spiker (Helen Crawford, Jessica Frum) and Sponge (Corban Ridlon, Corinne Ulmer).

Before James can properly settle into his new home, a gloomy hill by the White Cliffs of Dover, Spiker and Sponge put him to work. Their first request is to chop down the old peach tree, which is crawling with a variety of bugs. James, unable to defy the aunts’ request, picks up an axe and gets ready to swing.

Before the tree gets chopped down, however, James finds himself in an encounter with a mysterious stranger, Ladahlord (Walker Elsaesser, Bob Sawyer) — who doubles as the narrator of the musical. The peculiar man offers James a potion of crocodile tongues. Unfortunately, before James can drink it, the potion spills and James finds himself once again with nothing, or so he thinks.

Soon, James discovers an enormous peach growing on the branches of the old peach tree, located close to James’ disastrous spill. Not only does a giant peach stem from the spillage, but a group of five human-sized insects come along with it. Wanting to escape the cruelty of Spiker and Sponge, Centipede (David DelVecchio, Derrek Schrader) cuts the peach from the tree causing it to roll into the English Channel and the adventure begins.

Along with Centipede, James is accompanied by his newfound friends: Spider (Annie O’Connor, Kaytrien Hall), Earthworm (Sean Buchanan), Ladybug (Isabella Wears, Paige Goldstein), and Grasshopper (Matthew Mayo, Thomas Kolofsky). The crew finds themselves in an unfamiliar situation with the most unlikely of companions, but for James, it just might lead to something more.  

Rounding out the ensemble are Payson Avery, Abby Baker, Lila Damon, Megan Frye, Catia Jackson, Jasmine Jackson, Eden Johnson, Isabelle Johnson, Sydney Mushrow, Victoria Norris, Annie O’Connor, Olive Passalaqua, Luke Staires, Tyler Stuart and Collette Woodson.

Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach; book by Timothy Allen Macdonald and lyrics by the award-winning team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La Land andThe Greatest Showman).  

James and the Giant Peach opens Friday, Aug. 2 at Lake Region High School, Route 302, Naples. Show time is 7:30 p.m., followed by shows on Saturday, Aug. 3 (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 4 (2 p.m.). If you miss the opening weekend, there are three more shows Aug. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.

Joining Rob Juergens (director) and Brian Tingdahl (music director) is Liza Collins-Schrader (choreographer). Rounding out the team is set designer and builder Chris Madura and costumer Michelle DelVecchio.

Tickets are now on sale in Casco at Watkins Flowers and the Casco Public Library; Raymond at Krainin Real Estate; Naples at Aubuchon Hardware and the Naples Public Library; Bridgton at Hayes True Value and at Bridgton Books; and in Fryeburg at Lemon and Tulips. Tickets are $12 for students/seniors and $16 for adults. Tickets will always be available at the door where you also may use a credit card.

Special thanks to platinum sponsor Norway Savings Bank and gold sponsor Hancock Lumber.