• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Campers are feelin' peachy in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch acting camp serves James his giant peach.


  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 4:07 p.m. June 21, 2018
  • East County
  • Schools
  • Share

James may not have known what to expect when got stuck inside a giant peach with five magical bugs. But as he floated across the ocean with them, he gained their friendship.

Campers in Lakewood Ranch High School's two-week Acting Up! Performing Arts Camp brought the story of "James and the Giant Peach" to life with two end-of-camp performances June 21.

About 45 students participated in this year's camp, which benefits Lakewood Ranch High School's theater department.

Paige Alter and Alyssa Little portray Spiker and Sponger, respectively. They are sisters who swindle and make sure James knows he is not important.
Paige Alter and Alyssa Little portray Spiker and Sponger, respectively. They are sisters who swindle and make sure James knows he is not important.
Natalia Blanco, a reporter, holds up a contract for an exclusive about the giant peach.
Natalia Blanco, a reporter, holds up a contract for an exclusive about the giant peach.
Counselor Jordan Bollinger acts as a reporter out for an exclusive on the giant peach.
Counselor Jordan Bollinger acts as a reporter out for an exclusive on the giant peach.
Isidro Iturralde and Alexander Alejo, along with Ethan Nealis and Spencer Waid, are talent agents who talk with sisters Spiker and Sponge about their giant peach.
Isidro Iturralde and Alexander Alejo, along with Ethan Nealis and Spencer Waid, are talent agents who talk with sisters Spiker and Sponge about their giant peach.
James, played by Emma Mandzik, thinks about where to go when he's sad.
James, played by Emma Mandzik, thinks about where to go when he's sad.
James joins bugs inside the giant peach.
James joins bugs inside the giant peach.
Grasshopper, played by Ethan Hall, is confident the peach can travel across the ocean to France.
Grasshopper, played by Ethan Hall, is confident the peach can travel across the ocean to France.
Earthworm, played by Yaira Spears, sings
Earthworm, played by Yaira Spears, sings "Floating Along" after the peach ends up in the ocean.
Isabela Mendez, portraying Ladybug, announces herself as royalty to James.
Isabela Mendez, portraying Ladybug, announces herself as royalty to James.
Lucas Parrish, as a cop named Bradley Bobby,  gets ready to arrest James for stealing the giant peach.
Lucas Parrish, as a cop named Bradley Bobby, gets ready to arrest James for stealing the giant peach.
Amber DePasquale is a featured dancer in the show.
Amber DePasquale is a featured dancer in the show.
Claire DePasquale, a featured dancer, performs a number as officials prepare to arrest James for stealing the giant peach.
Claire DePasquale, a featured dancer, performs a number as officials prepare to arrest James for stealing the giant peach.
Isabella Roca, a featured dancer, portrays a seagull.
Isabella Roca, a featured dancer, portrays a seagull.
Lorenzo Vagi is a shark. James and bugs inside the giant peach become concerned when a gang of sharks rallies around the peach as it floats in the ocean.
Lorenzo Vagi is a shark. James and bugs inside the giant peach become concerned when a gang of sharks rallies around the peach as it floats in the ocean.
Counselor Gabby Macogay and Ainsley Young, as Doreen Driggles, point as the giant peach heads their way.
Counselor Gabby Macogay and Ainsley Young, as Doreen Driggles, point as the giant peach heads their way.
Counselor Ty Dearing knows all the parts.
Counselor Ty Dearing knows all the parts.
Brooke Palmtage, center, portrays the narrator, Ladahlord.
Brooke Palmtage, center, portrays the narrator, Ladahlord.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch
Braden River High School junior Mystique Quinones shakes hands with Dave Daily, post commander for VFW Post 12055, as she receives her $100 reward for her essay which answered the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
  • December 16, 2025
Essay contest winners named by VFW Post 12055 Braden River
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now