While I have enjoyed several good Roald Dahl stories, I must admit that ‘James and the Giant Peach’ was my least favorite book.
My girls and I only watched the movie a couple times when they were growing up, and that speaks volumes.
Even so, I was highly upset to hear the news this weekend that a class trip to watch the theatrical version was canceled for a group of kindergarteners from Houston.
The reason?
A parent was concerned that some of the actors, who portray multiple roles, might be dressed in a costume that did not match their gender.
According to a news story by KCEN-TV, this parent suggested the theatrical show – about a boy setting off on a giant flying peach with several insects as companions – might be more age-appropriate for high schoolers.
Trust me. Aside from a possible sense of nostalgia, this children’s story would hold little interest for teenagers.
The news story goes on to say that this parent was especially concerned that the actors wore “flamboyant makeup and wigs” during their performance, and she was concerned that it would “normalize” the practice for children.
I sincerely doubt that when a 5 or 6-year-old child sees the greedy Aunt Sponge or the Glowworm take to the stage they are thinking about the actor’s plumbing underneath his clothing.
And, unless you told them, I do not believe it would even register that the gentleman earthworm and the Mom are played by the same person.
No. The children are enjoying the playacting and make-believe – as children do.
Dressing up and pretending are what makes childhood magical.
It is the adults – with their obsession about gender and sex – that are making it weird.
Shame on the school board for giving in to this ridiculousness.
If there was ever any argument for supporting and fully funding the Arts in school, this display of ignorance is it.
