Theater-goers of all ages are invited to a free, outdoor performance of “James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” presented by Cumberland County Children’s Theatre — Maine’s newest youth theater organization. The show will be performed 2 nights only: Friday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Stonehedge event venue in Gray.

Originally scheduled for March 2020 as a production of the youth theater program at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray, the show was cancelled a week prior to opening night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later that year, COVID-19 also drove the permanent closure of Fiddlehead Center, which had been offering children’s arts and enrichment for more than 18 years.

In response to the closure, Cumberland County Children’s Theatre was formed in 2021 by local parents and youth theater supporters. “James and the Giant Peach, Jr.,” will be the group’s premier production.

Roald Dahl’s beloved tale follows young orphan James who is forced to live with his wicked Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge. His sad life of servitude takes a positive turn when he meets a mysterious stranger and his magic. Suddenly, a new adventure is presented in the form of an oversized peach and some unusual, buggy friends. The songs in James and the Giant Peach, Jr. will have you singing along in no time—perhaps even wishing that you, too, could set sail aboard a magical fruit.

The venue opens at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. The Stonehedge event venue is located at 342 West Gray Rd., Gray. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Concessions will be available for purchase. All proceeds will support the growth of the new Cumberland County Children’s Theatre.

Cumberland County Children’s Theatre is a nonprofit organization offering high quality theater experiences to children and families in southern and central Maine. For more information, please visit their page on Facebook.