The Riviera Ridge School invites the community to its Battistone Theater for this year’s Middle School musical “James and the Giant Peach.”

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, the musical follows the journey of a young orphaned boy named James and his talking insect friends as they lift off in a magical flying peach, learning life lessons along the way.

“James and the Giant Peach” will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 14-15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 in the school’s Battistone Theater, 911 Tremonto Road, Santa Barbara. Tickets are available for purchase at $25.

The musical is directed by the Riviera Ridge School’s new director of visual and performing arts, Molly Markstrum.

“I picked ‘James and the Giant Peach’ because of the creative and imaginative writing,” Markstrum said. “Roald Dahl has written many friendly stories for young readers. My goal was to encourage students to read more and imagine a fictitious world that they can make their own.

“I encourage students to be curious and observant of the world around them, fostering a deeper appreciation and connection to life beyond the classroom.”  

In terms of the theater production, students are all hands on deck, both onstage and backstage.

“Students gain valuable organizational, communication and leadership skills working as stage managers, set and costume designers, light and sound engineers, and even in marketing teams,” the school said.

“When students help build sets, manage cues, or design props, they gain a sense of ownership and pride in the final product,” Markstrum said. “This well-rounded experience not only teaches collaboration and responsibility but also gives students a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into every performance.”

Markstrum’s 17-year career includes directing shows throughout Southern California with students from early childhood to 8th grade.

“It has been amazing to find a new home at a school where performing arts are celebrated at such a young age,” she said. “The Riviera Ridge junior kindergarteners start performing at three years old, and these theater opportunities continue through an elective course in the middle school.”

“One of my favorite parts of this job is to find a story that teaches students to think outside the box,” Markstrum said. “I hope to help the students collaborate meaningfully and reflect on their own stories. As an educator, I find discovering students’ gifts to be the most rewarding.”

For more, email info@rivieraridge.org or call 805-569-1811 ext. 131.