This year’s Tryon Youth Summer Show, “James and the Giant Peach,” is shaping up fast.  

The summer theater program has been in existence since 1971, and offers local youth the opportunity to be in a full-blown musical, with sets, lights, costumes, live band and most importantly, a chance to shine.

A collaboration between Tryon Little Theater and the Tryon Fine Arts Center, together with sponsors and grants through the Polk County Community Foundation, this year’s production opens at the Tryon Fine Arts Center with a preview gala party on July 18.

The show is based on the work of Roald Dahl, words and music are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and the book is by Timothy Allen McDonald. Directing the show is Chris Tinkler, with musical direction by Pam McNeil. 

The plot centers on James, a young English orphan boy (played by 9-year-old Roman Darity) who is instructed by his two evil, conniving aunts to chop down an old fruit tree. James finds a gigantic, magical peach, and has a wild and surreal adventure with seven magically-altered garden bugs he meets. 

“I selected this piece to direct because at the core of this play is the idea that we all belong, we all deserve love, we all deserve family,” Tinkler said. “There might be a journey to find the right family, there might be a journey away from evil, there might be a journey to discover that you are braver than you ever imagined!”

Opening July 18, with the gala celebration in the Indoor English Garden (the original home of the Giant Peach), patrons will sip on peach cocktails and snack on hors d’oeuvres before enjoying the debut performance. Attendees are encouraged to wear garden party attire.

Regular performances are Thursday, July 19, through Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday July 22, at 3 p.m.  

For more information, and to purchase tickets, people may visit tltinfo.org or tryonarts.org. 

-Submitted by Monica Jones