American Stage, The Florida Orchestra, and projectALCHEMY have announced their first-ever artistic collaboration: The Good Peaches, premiering this fall in downtown St. Petersburg.
Blending the worlds of theatre, orchestral music, and contemporary dance, The Good Peaches explores the intersection of art, memory, and identity in times of upheaval. Featuring Benjamin Britten’s Four Seasons Interlude performed live by The Florida Orchestra, dramatic storytelling brought to life by American Stage actors, and movement embodied by the company dance artists of projectALCHEMY, this one-of-a-kind experience pushes the boundaries of performance art.
The show comes to the Mahaffey Theater for one day only on September 20, with two performances, including a matinee.
“I am thrilled to helm The Good Peaches for this incredible collaboration here in St. Pete,” said Helen Murray, Producing Artistic Director of American Stage. “This is this sort of artistic intersectionality that will dynamically engage our community and enrich our cultural landscape in ways we had not yet imagined.”
She added, “What our respective organizations bring to the table is profound, and the artistry of this team is a collaboration of the most adventurous kind. I cannot wait to share this epic piece this coming September.”
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes (co-writer of In the Heights), The Good Peaches follows Aurora, a young girl who wishes for upheaval — and is answered in the form of a giant storm. Swept away on roaring waves, she embarks on a journey of survival and self-discovery. The piece was originally developed at The Cleveland Playhouse, where it featured a 56-piece orchestra. Now, it comes to Tampa Bay in a reimagined, multidisciplinary format.
Ignacio Barrón Viela, President & CEO of The Florida Orchestra, spoke to the power of the partnership:
“The Florida Orchestra is proud to join forces with American Stage and projectALCHEMY in this groundbreaking collaboration. By uniting music, theater and dance, we harness the full power of the arts as a driving force in our community.”
He continued, “Each of us brings something extraordinary on our own, but together, we deepen our impact and create a one-of-a-kind experience for Tampa Bay audiences.”
projectALCHEMY’s Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Alexander Jones, emphasized the physicality and emotionality of the work:
“For me, dance is the physical connective tissue of the story and of this collaboration of The Good Peaches. I am approaching the choreography by exploring how the storm’s natural elements — its volatility, stillness, and surging power — can be embodied through movement, while physically responding to the sounds of The Florida Orchestra.”
Jones continued, “Together, we’ve crafted a world where the lines between disciplines blur, and our collective work becomes a vital force that drives the story forward.”
