HHS bringing James and the Giant Peach to the stage

An orphan named James is sent to live with his terrible aunts wishing nothing more than to have a family and to be happy. After a visit from a mysterious man, magic brings James a giant peach and he finds family within some unlikely creatures. James and his insect friends discover themselves wrapped up in several adventures. Those adventures come to life in Harrisburg High School's production of James and the Giant Peach this weekend at Southeastern Illinois College.

With a cast of about 20 students, director Hannah Naas Drake says she is excited for what the audience can expect with this musical.

"We're hopeful to take this show back to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival this year in Bloomington," said Naas Drake. "A show like "James" had all of the things we were interested in highlighting. It's wonderful set design and costuming were all designed with Theatre Fest in mind."

HHS was selected to preform Charlotte's Web at last year's Theatre Festival.

This year's show follows the same plot line as Tim Burton's movie, but with updated music.

Naas Drake says it's a true district wide effort to put on such a production.

"We are able to preform for some of our younger elementary students and show them some of the exciting things theater can bring them," said Naas Drake. "Plus, we are able to preform for a few other area schools. And we again have had a total group effort from HHS art instructor Natalie Jones, industrial arts instructors Nick James and Cacy Ellis, home economics instructor Janet Hart and costuming from Gareth York as well as countless students."

Showtime will be Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door one hour before each show at the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center.