Eleven of the 15 cast members performing in “James and the Giant Peach” are children, which director Sabrina Demaski has found both challenging at times and pleasantly surprising.
“We only have four adults. We have a cast of 15. The rest of them are all between the ages of 8 and 16,” Demaski said. “I think it’s really cool that they’re doing so well. Some of the singing is written for more mature and seasoned voices. I have been pleasantly surprised.”
The show opened July 9 at the Mielke Arts Center. More performances are scheduled for July 10-12 and July 16-19.
“It’s really fun, especially with how young my cast is,” Demaski said. “I get to teach the younger generation. It’s been very rewarding to pass on everything I know about doing shows here.”
Demaski quickly realized she needed to schedule several small breaks throughout practice sessions to allow the young actors to run around and burn off some energy.
“There are definitely times that we get a little silly, but I like to try to give them enough balance with small breaks and stuff,” she said. “It’s been fun. It’s been a little challenging sometimes. Once they get the giggles, it goes on forever. Some of the adults are the ones instigating those giggles.”
The play is based on Roald Dahl’s same-titled book.
When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities. But after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements.
Thanks to James’ quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.
This is Demaski’s first time directing a musical, although she did direct “Cafe Mocha Murders” in the spring of 2025.
She first performed on the Mielke stage in “Seussical” in 2014.
“I’ve always been interested in all aspects of theater,” Demaski said. “Acting has always been kind of like my primary interest.”
She suffered some health problems a few years ago when acting in a show.
“I was actually fainting backstage in between scenes. I couldn’t figure out what was going on,” she said. “I had some scary health stuff going on for a while, but I didn’t want to give up theater. I was looking for other ways to be involved.”
With the help of Alex Konen, Shawano County Arts Council president and her theater teacher in high school, she worked side by side with him as assistant director before going out on her own.
Demaski enjoys the creative decision making that goes with being director.
For example, before she had decided on a theme for the play, she was scrolling social media one day.
“I saw a playground for sale, and I was like, ‘This show is very much part of my childhood. It very much invokes a childhood feeling. Wouldn’t it be fun if we just did it on a playground instead?’” she said.
Then, Demaski ran with the idea.
“All of the costumes are based on childhood toys that I had,” she said. “We have the sandbox. We have the playground. Everything is based on that idea of childhood nostalgia — childhood whimsy.”
Demaski also works with Safe Haven, the domestic abuse and sexual assault center in Shawano. The actors’ final dress rehearsal is a performance for the Safe Haven clients.
IF YOU GO
Who: Box in the Wood Theatre Guild
What: “James and The Giant Peach”
Where: Mielke Arts Center, N5649 N. Airport Road, Shawano
When: 7 p.m. July 9-11, July 16-18; 2 p.m. July 12, July 19
Cost: Reserve seating, $25 ($27 online with fees); general admission, adult $15 ($16.50 online with fees); child $10 ($11.25 online with fees).
Tickets: Available at https://shawanoarts.ludus.com/index.php or at the door if not sold out in advance.
Kelly Donahue, left, plays the part of Earthworm while David Woosencraft plays the part of Caterpillar as they rehearse a scene from “James and the Giant Peach.” (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Among the 15 cast members in “James and the Giant Peach” are, from left, Mechaela Jaros (Ladybug), David Woosencraft (Caterpillar), Caroline Lepscier (James) and Mia Schmalz (Spider). (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
David Woosencraft practices the role of Caterpillar in a recent rehearsal for “James and the Giant Peach,” which will be staged the next two weekends at Mielke Arts Center. Sabrina Demaski is the director of the musical. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Rehearsing her part in “James and the Giant Peach” is Mia Schmalz, who plays the role of Spider. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Lillianna Anderson, center, plays the part of Grasshopper. She is rehearsing with Bryce Rades, who plays the part of Glowworm, left, and Mia Schmalz, who plays the part of Spider. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Caroline Lepscier, who plays James in the Box in the Wood Theatre Guild production of “James and the Giant Peach,” waits for her next line during a recent rehearsal. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
