ON STAGE

This winter’s musical, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s whimsical book James and the Giant Peach, was as engaging to the eye as to the ear.

The fantastic production featured a custombuilt rotating peach, handmade costumes and puppets (including a frightening rhinoceros), as well as a 12-person orchestra accompanying a cast of Exonians who heartily sang some 20 tunes. Scores of community members — hailing from the Academy and local surrounding area — attended and offered rave reviews.

“To me, this story represents belonging,” says Theater and Dance Department Chair Lauren Josef, who also served as the show’s director. “At the core (or pit) it’s about James finding a group of friends that feel like family. Onstage and off, we’ve created our own family here at the Goel.” E — Jennifer Wagner