MS drama scores with James and the Giant Peach
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.
Find our photo gallery here.
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.
Find our photo gallery here.
Here’s the rest of the cast and crew:
CAST
Ladahlord. Sofia Martin ’25
James. Gerry Mena ’24
Aunt Spiker, Jaerla Sajous ’25
Aunt Sponge, Zoe Katsoufis ’24
Grasshopper. Austin Aagaard ’26
Ladybug, Grace Hucks ’24
Earthworm. Armando Segrera ’25
Centipede. Henry Berler ’25
Spider. Kaitlyn Gonzalez ’24
Puppeteers/Reporters/Vagrants/
Puppeteer Grasshopper, Rowan Tolon ’24
Puppeteer Ladybug, Elena Castrillon ’26
Puppeteer Earthworm, Christopher Harper ’26
Puppeteer Centipede, Nicholas Harper ’25
Puppeteer Spider, Latrice Nelson ’25
Matron Nurse, Diana Gonzalez* ’24
Billy Bobby-Cop, Orli Ressler ’26
Bobby Bobby-Cop, Tager Lehr ’25
Doreen Driggles, Maya Shaked ’24
Violet Funkschmeller, Maggie Seabrook ’24
Ridgely Rapscallion, Teimour Asghar ’24
Chris Cryermouth, Mikey Day ’25
Ida Walters, Kenzie Kaplan ’25
Bitsy Botan,a Cianna Vengoshea-Schiff ’25
Buzz, Alejandro Andrade ’25
Lucille Van Kooglestein, Jordan Porcelli ’25
Bunny MacKenzie III, Julia Cuy ’25
Emma Holtzman* ’24
Charlotte Kennedy ’24
Francesca Albini ’26
Taylor Smith ’25
Mateo Sauceda ’26
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager, Jake Perdigon ’24
Director/ASM, Fiona Oberg ’24
*Dance Captain, Emma Holtzman ’24
*Deck Captain, Diana Gonzalez ’24
Lights, Griffin Nelson-Montet ’25
Projections, Jake Perdigon ’24
Sound, Fiona Oberg ’24
Mics, Miguel Kumar ’25 and Siena Claure ’26
Director and Choreographer, Cecilia Gonzalez
Musical Direction, Jessica Carrasquillo
Costume Design, Alina Mendoza
Set Design and ATD, Florencia Ancewicz
Technical Director, Quincy Knowles
Make-up and Additional Tech, Gina Montet
Stage Manager, Jake Perdigon ’24
Director/ASM, Fiona Oberg ’24
*Dance Captain, Emma Holtzman ’24
*Deck Captain, Diana Gonzalez ’24
Lights, Griffin Nelson-Montet ’25
Projections, Jake Perdigon ’24
Sound, Fiona Oberg ’24
Mics, Miguel Kumar ’25 and Siena Claure ’26
Director and Choreographer, Cecilia Gonzalez
Musical Direction, Jessica Carrasquillo
Costume Design, Alina Mendoza
Set Design and ATD, Florencia Ancewicz
Technical Director, Quincy Knowles
Make-up and Additional Tech, Gina Montet
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
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.