RE’s middle school drama students brightened the Swenson Hall stage Nov. 6-8, offering a production of James and Giant Peach that was as breathtaking visually as it was entertaining. Decked out in adorable costumes and benefitting from a dazzling set, the cast brought the musical to life with expert singing and dancing led by James, played by Gerry Mena ’24, and aunties, Jaerla Sajous ’25 and Zoe Katsoufis ’24.
Sofia Martin ’25 also excelled as Ladahlord, along with a quintet of insects – Austin Aagaard ’26 (Grasshopper); Grace Hucks ’24 (Ladybug); Armando Segrera ’25 (Earthworm); Henry Berler ’25 (Centipede); and Kaitlyn Gonzalez ’24 (Spider). Faculty member Cecilia Gonzalez engineered the production, with plenty of help.
Besides sharing the production with the RE community over three nights, the James cast also performed for students from Coconut Grove Elementary, who saw an advance run of the musical on Nov. 5.
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.