New Community Theater Company Set to Shine in Exciting Peach-Themed Debut Weekend

A new community theater company will debut in Maricopa this weekend.

The Ampersand Theatre Company is set to present its inaugural musical production, James and the Giant Peach, at Central Arizona College, with performances starting Friday and continuing with two more shows on Saturday.

Founded by Rancho Mirage resident Joe Lawless and a team of local actors last fall, the theater aims to unite the community through creativity.

Lawless explained, “Our tagline is, ‘Where community and creativity take center stage.’ We want to provide a creative outlet for residents.”

He discovered his passion for theater at a young age, having participated in a local production of Miracle on 34th Street when he was eight. Since then, he has aspired to create his own production company.

“It hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s been a remarkable journey,” Lawless stated. “Seeing this vision come to life has been incredibly rewarding.”

The choice of Roald Dahl’s classic tale reflects the company’s mission. “It’s a fun story with a great message,” Lawless noted.

The story follows James as he evolves from a shy kid to someone who learns to embrace his confidence. “We wanted to emphasize that family can be defined beyond blood relations; it’s about surrounding yourself with supportive people,” he added.

This initiative marks the second community theater presence in Maricopa, following the Maricopa Community Theatre, which faced financial challenges last year.

Performances will occur in CAC’s Room A101, with the premiere scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. Two shows will follow on Saturday: a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. finale.

Tickets are priced at $15, available at the door and online.