The cast will present four shows of the family-friendly stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1982 children’s classic book, “The BFG,” at the Fine Arts Center in Norway. Play times are 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The audience will go on an adventure into the whimsical world of giants, dreams, and the unlikely friendship between 8-year-old Sophie and the BFG.

“It’s a story about an orphan girl who is abducted by a giant and she believes he’s going to eat her because giants are cannibalistic in the legend,” said Director Stacy Harrison, a three year member of DCCT. “But the BFG only eats a vegetable called a ‘snozzcumber,’ not ‘human-beans’ and the two become friends.”

They join forces and go on a mission together to save the world from child-eating giants.

FROM LEFT ARE “The Big Friendly Giant” production team member Kristen Reath, Assistant Director Marti Nord, Director Stacy Harrison and Producer Audrey Smith. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“It’s easy for kids to get excited for these two underdogs working together to stop the bad guys,” Harrison said.

The mother of three sons who has an English teaching degree and love for literature, Harrison said she wanted to select a play that would be fun for boys and that could include a lot of kids.

“The BFG” has a cast of 45 youth that range from 8 to 18 and come from five different school districts, plus home-schooled students.

“Many are first timers to the theater,” said Producer Audrey Smith, a DCCT member since 2006.

“It’s nice to have such a diverse bunch and to see a lot of friendships forming,” Harrison added. “Hopefully they will continue to come back to DCCT.”

THE DICKINSON COUNTY Community Theatre will present “The Big Friendly Giant” this weekend at the Fine Arts Center in Norway. (Submitted photo)

DCCT saw a great turnout for auctions for “The BFG” that took place in November. Harrison added it was a difficult decision, but is happy with the cast selections.

With such a large group, rehearsals started in January for their first 2024 production.

“We’ve been planning for a long time — we knew with such a big cast that we would need a lot of time,” Harrison said. “And we needed every minute too.”

Harrison noted how inspiring it has been to watch the kids grow into their characters and become more creative and confident on the stage.

“Many have come a long way since auditions to show week,” she added.

'THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT“ ensemble team includes Rena Fleury, Ellie Wilson and Pearl Kline. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Assistant director and DCCT Board Vice President Marti Nord said they couldn’t be happier with the actors and how the play is progressing.

In addition to the speaking roles, they created an ensemble group to do magical effects.

“It’s a neat way to incorporate more kids,” Harrison said.

“It’s so nice to see that the kids that are too shy to be on stage take initiative with things,” Nord said. “They found something else they can be great at.”

Smith said they had several high school students that assisted with behind-the-scene input that includes making a doll — an important part of the play; creating the big puppet and developing art for the posters.

“They all have different skills they can offer,” Smith said. “There are many places we can plug talented people in.”

Smith noted Harrison and Nord also assembled an extensive production team of about 20 members.

The team said it’s one of the largest stage sets DCCT has done in the past five years.

“I can’t even guess how many hours we have into building props for the set,” Nord said.

Harrison added it’s one of the most creative and unique sets she has been involved with.

Harrison stressed the “BFG” production really sums up what community theater is, as it requires a huge team to pull it off.

“There are so many different people who have joined forces with us, and we couldn’t do it with just the three of us,” she said. “We really needed to call in all the reinforcements.”

She also credits the parents for how smoothly rehearsals have gone over the past several months.

The team leaders hope that by doing this fun play they have created some lifelong love for theater and performing arts.

“Once you are bitten by the theater bug you can’t shake it,” Harrison said.

The team encourages the community to come and enjoy a fun production and support the many talented young actors.

Tickets will be $13 at the door.

DCCT’s next event will be “Curtain Call” on May 11, which is a wrap of the 2023-24 season. This is the perfect opportunity as well for anyone interested in learning more about theater to meet members and collaborate.

“The Big Friendly Giant” cast:

Opening Act — Bailey Swickler, Elliott Boyles, Henry Richardson, Wesley Jenness, Braden Burgess

Big Friendly Giant — Caleb Swickler

Sophie — Maribelle Adams

Fleshlumpeater — Gray Harrison

Bloodbottler — Ben Lundholm

Bonecruncher — Miles Harrison

Childchewer — Herb MacIntyre

Meatdripper — Emmett Rice

Gizzardgulper — Arlo Maki

Butcher Boy — Jude Chouinard

Mum/Queen of England — Callie Alwine

Mary (Queen’s servant) — Caroline Mathis

Tibbs (butler) — Sophia Richardson

Alice (undermaid) — Elsie Adams

Queen of Sweden — Clare Lundholm

Head of Army — Reed Harrison

Head of Air Force — Lucas Doney

Dad — Ayden Ponchaud

Guy — Bailey Swickler

Danny — Charlie Lundholm

Katherine — Sara Sikora

Rebecca — Mabel Irish

Sam — Ian Schimmelpfenning

Ronald Simpkins Aiden Wilson

Miss Plumridge — Addie Alwine

Headmaster — Kairi Mastie

Ensemble: Clare Lundholm, Alivia Bird, Nevaeh Ponchaud, Ellie Wilson, Cierra Hemeleski, Nora Mondloch, Anna Umbriaco, Sophia Michaud, Pearl Kline, Piper Zellner and Rena Fleury

Tech Crew — Claire Jenness, Signe Trindal, Violet Maki, Claire Sikora, Anastasia Richardson and Henry Richardson

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No