With her irrepressible spirit and quirky way of expressing herself, Junie B. Jones has captivated millions of children around the world in more than 30 books.
The spunky 7-year-old, created by author Barbara Park, comes to the stage in “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” running Sept. 27-Oct. 13 at South Carolina Children’s Theatre in downtown Greenville.
The story explores the fun and challenges of childhood. It follows Junie B.’s first day of first grade as she makes new friends, starts a journal, craves cookies, meets her new teacher Mr. Scary, realizes she needs glasses and yearns to be the star of a kickball tournament.
“I love how real Junie B. Jones is,” said stage director Ahsha Daniels. “It’s cool to break the script down as an adult because you really see how a first-grader’s mind works and how events and people in their lives resonate with them at 7 years old.”
Catchy tunes
The musical, intended for ages 5 and up, spotlights several catchy tunes, Daniels said.
“The music and lyrics really seem like they’re straight from a child’s inner thoughts,” she said.
The show, which lasts one hour without an intermission, features a local cast of 16, with two adults and 14 children and teens. Nora Woodward takes on the role of Junie B. Jones.
The musical, with book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich, premiered in 2004. It has been widely praised, with the New York Times calling the show “a spirited entertainment.”
Barbara Park wrote the series of Junie B. Jones books for young readers from 1992 to 2013. With around 30 titles, the series has sold more than 55 million copies in North America alone. She also wrote many middle-grade novels.
What to go?
What: “Junie B. Jones: The Musical”
When: Sept. 27-Oct. 13
Where: South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville
Tickets: $22
Info: 864-235-2885 and scchildrenstheatre.org
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