Pittsfield, MA—Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Kate Maguire, Artistic Director and CEO, invite families and audiences of all ages to experience Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach JR., returning to The Colonial Theatre April 24–26. Timed perfectly for school vacation week, this high-energy, family-friendly musical offers an imaginative and joyful outing for children, parents and grandparents alike.
Featuring more than 50 elementary, middle and high school students from Berkshire County and beyond, this vibrant production highlights the creativity, confidence and collaboration at the heart of BTG’s education programs.
Based on the beloved story by Roald Dahl, the musical features the book by Timothy Allen McDonald and a lively, contemporary score by Tony Award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Directed and choreographed by Kathy Jo Grover, with music direction by Erin White, the production brings Dahl’s fantastical world to life through colorful staging and inventive costumes.
Kathy Jo Grover said, “This show is such a joyful celebration of imagination and resilience. Watching these young performers bring James’s journey to life—with all its humor, heart and sense of adventure—has been incredibly special. It’s a story that reminds us how connection and courage can carry us through even the most unexpected challenges.”
At its heart, James and the Giant Peach JR. is a story about courage, resilience and finding family in unexpected places. After losing his parents, young James escapes his cruel aunts when a mysterious magic potion transforms an ordinary peach into a giant vessel. Joined by a band of singing insect companions, he sets off on an extraordinary journey across the ocean—facing sharks, storms and uncertainty along the way.
With its energetic score, imaginative storytelling and large youth cast, the production offers a lively and accessible theatre experience—ideal for families looking for meaningful entertainment during the school break.
At The Colonial Theatre
Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach JR.
book by Timothy Allen McDonald
words and music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
based on the book James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Direction and choreography by Kathy Jo Grover
music direction by Erin White
featuring over 50 Berkshire County and beyond elementary, middle and high school students
at The Colonial Theatre
Performance Dates: Friday, April 24 at 7pm, Saturday, April 25 at 12pm & 5pm and Sunday, April 26 at 12pm
Tickets: Children $15; Adult $30
About Berkshire Theatre Group
The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG).
Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide-ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Each year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through its Education Program, serves over 10,000 Berkshire County school children annually. BTG is proud to offer the only approved curriculum-based theatre educational programming of its kind in the region, integrating the arts directly into classroom learning and enriching students’ academic and creative development.
In July 2020, Berkshire Theatre Group was the first company in the United States to earn approval from Actors’ Equity Association to produce a musical (Godspell) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2028, Berkshire Theatre Group will celebrate 100 years of theatre.