Auditions This Weekend for Kids and Grownups

Auditions are being held this weekend for two shows - one for young performers, and the other for seasoned veterans:

- James and the Giant Peach - Auditions for the full-length play based on the Roald Dahl classic book will feature 21 young actors from grades 3-13. No experience is necessary to audition.

Auditions will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24 and from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 25 at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.

Rehearsals will begin Aug. 2. The show, which will run two weekends at the Renaissance Center in Huntington, will open on Sept. 24.

James and the Giant Peach is directed by Jonathan Joy, who recently wrote and directed The First Day of Summer for First Stage. "James" is the story of a young boy, a magical peach, insect friends and an incredible journey. The adventure of James will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who ever dreamed of escape.

For more information on the production of James and the Giant Peach, contact Joy at joy1@mctc.edu.

For more information about the theatre company, visit the website at www.firststagetheatre.org.

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- White Christmas - The other show auditioning this weekend is being presented by 5th Avenue Theatre Company.

Auditions for the musical White Christmas will be held Sunday, July 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for principle characters only in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium in City Hall.

Auditions for ensemble roles and children’s pre-show are scheduled for Sunday, August 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will also be in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium.

Individuals auditioning for the adult principle roles are required to sing and dance and will be reading scenes selected by the director.

The story of White Christmas begins on the Western Front in World War II and then travels to New York and continues in the state of Vermont where Bob and Phil try to save the inn owned by General Waverly by having a show in the barn of the inn. Communications get skewed and the fun ensues. This fun, romantic comedy introduced great songs like White Christmas, Sisters, I Love a Piano, Snow and The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing.

White Christmas runs December 3-5 and 10-12 with a school performance on December 9. Eddie Harbert will serve as director for the show with Mike Campbell as musical director and Kerri Easter-Stambaugh as choreographer. For more information about auditions, call 304-412-8738.