Performers in the Staples Players’ production of “James and the Giant Peach” rehearsing the song, “Right Before Your Eyes,” include, from left: Sorel Kennedy, Chloe Carson, Grace Power, Griffin Delmhorst, Beckwith Fipp and Blake Raho. / Contributed photos by Kerry Long
“James and the Giant Peach” castmates, from left, Matthew Bukzin, Beckwith Fipp and Samantha Edwards perform the number, “Have You Even Begun to Wonder?”

WESTPORT — “James and the Giant Peach,” a musical fantasy with roots in a classic Roald Dahl story, will be staged March 21-24 by the Staples Players.

The show, featuring music composed by Staples graduate Justin Paul and his lyricist partner Benj Pasek, will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 21-22; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the high school, 70 North Ave.

In conjunction with the production of “James and the Giant Peach,” special features include an opportunity for youngsters to meet with characters from the show after the Friday and Saturday performances. 

Paul, a 2003 Staples graduate and Staples Players alumnus, will appear after the 1 p.m. Sunday show for an informal discussion with the audience. He and Pasek are known for scores from the movies “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman,” and the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.”

James, portrayed by Beckwith Fipp, right, with his cruel aunts Kaya Arava, left, and Sorel Kennedy.

Tickets for the show can be reserved online in advance by clicking here. Depending on availability, tickets also can be purchased in the Staples lobby 30 minutes prior to a performance.

Dahl’s 1961 children’s story, which inspired the 2010 musical with the Paul-Pasek score, tells the story of James, an orphaned boy, who has two wicked aunts named Spiker and Sponge and his trans-Atlantic journey aboard a colossal peach joined by a crew of giant insects.

“We have always loved this score,” Kerry Long, who co-directs the Players’ production with David Roth, said in a publicity release. “We loved the idea of doing a show that our dear friend and former student, Justin Paul, wrote.”

Paul, she added, “will be visiting with the cast soon and working with them on some aspects of the show. And, he’ll be giving an informal talkback with our audience after the Sunday matinee.”

The production is “definitely not just a kids’ show, but kids will eat it up,” Roth said in publicity for the production. “I really hope that adults and teens give it a chance … It’s not cutesy or cloying or anything you might associate with a ‘kids’ show. It’s sophisticated enough for adults, but wonderfully accessible for young audience members, too.”

The production team, in addition to Long and Roth, includes: Don Rickenback, music director; Rachel MacIsaac, choreographer; Jeff Hauser, technical director; Jordan Janota, set designer; Christie Stanger, costumes, and Long, graphic designer.

For questions, email splayersparents@gmail.com.