CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Corning-Painted Post Middle School (CPPMS) Drama Club is preparing to bring one of Roald Dahl's most beloved classics to life on the stage.

With music and lyrics by Pasek and Paul, "James and the Giant Peach Jr." tells the story of James, a young boy who encounters a gigantic, magical peach after becoming an orphan. After climbing inside the peach, James meets five magical garden bugs who take him on a cross-world adventure. 

Liam Griffin takes on the role of James in CPPMS' production. With "James and the Giant Peach" being one of literature's most popular children's novels, Liam was ready to take on this story and this role.

"It's been really cool to just look at my character and find who they are...and how I can represent them in a way," he said.

His mother, Wendy Griffin, happens to be the director of CPPMS' production, but with a cast of 70 children, an orchestra with 10 musicians and a crew of 15 children, she is not alone in bringing the show to life.

"It's been a super collaborative effort with a lot of other adults who work on the show with me, and it's been great to be able to include so many people at the middle school," she said. "Somehow it all comes together and we tell a great story on stage."

For Liam, that sense of teamwork and collaboration turned into something more as rehearsals went on.

"I really like the sense of family inside of Drama Club," he said. "It's really nice. Everybody can just rely on each other to be a good friend."

"James and the Giant Peach Jr." will play at Corning-Painted Post Middle School's George O. Cowburn Theater on Feb. 9 to 12. Thursday through Saturday's performances will begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday's performance begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can either be purchased online or at the door.