PREMIUM EVENT SHOW
It’s Christmas and Junie B. has a dilemma. Her first grade class has drawn for its Secret Santa exchange, and she has picked the name of her least favorite classmate, Tattletale May. With only ten dollars to spend, Junie B. must decide what is more important: protecting May’s feelings or buying herself the coveted Squeez-a-Burb, which is sure to win her the attention of all her classmates.
Theater • Best for ages 6 to adult • 2 hours with intermission
By Allison Gregory.
Adapted from the books by Barbara Park.
Artistic Credits
Director: Kevin Ehrhart
Scenic Design: Erik Diaz
Lighting Design: Carson Gross
Costume Design: Sherri Geerdes
Properties Master: Ronald L. Wells, Jr.
Production Stage Manager: Dani Taylor
Cast
Junie B. Jones, first grader: Sara Kaus
May, a classmate: Patricia Lilyhorn
Mr. Scary, a teacher: Ryle Smith
Herb, Junie B.'s best friend: David Ebke
Grampa Miller, Junie B.'s grandpa: Walter Shatley
Lucille, a rich kid: Samantha Shatley
Elf Ellen, a volunteer parent: Stephanie Kidd
José, a classmate: Alejandro Bustillos, Jr.
Mr. Toot, the choral teacher: Walter Shatley
Sheldon, a classmate: Joshua J. Mullady
Philip Johnny Bob, a stuffed elephant: Stephanie Kidd
From the Director
Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones character is very outspoken. She talks back to parents and teachers alike. She has moments of incorrect grammar. She is silly and creates awkward moments for everyone around her. So why would we want to put her up on our main stage as a role model?
The reason is that Junie B. Jones portrays the model of a contemporary girl who isn’t afraid to be herself. She has loads of self-esteem. And when she messes up… she admits it. All too often girls are portrayed in unrealistic ways. The girls who look up to them are left feeling insecure and often end up dealing with various degrees of image issues. Junie B. won’t have any of it. She makes sure the boys in her life understand that as well. So if Junie B. Jones is a bit sassy at times and needs to be reminded about grammar now and then… well, that’s OK with me!
It’s also OK with me that I have a fantastic cast! Sara (Pinkalicious) Kaus plays Junie, Patricia Lillyhorn plays May, and Samantha Shatley play the “Richie Rich” Lucille. Ryle Smith is hilarious as Mr. Scary as are Walter Shatley, Joshua J. Mullady, David Ebke , and Alajandro Bustillos, Jr. And you won’t want to miss Stephanie Kidd as the plush elephant, Philip Johnny Bob.
The production team has also created the fantastic Junie B. world on stage so all that’s left is for us to watch and revel in Junie B. Jones’ love for laughter and life.
Kevin Ehrhart – Director
Rose Goes Inside the Mind of Junie B. Jones, Omaha World-Herald
Going to The Rose Guide
It’s almost time for our next production, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. We have assembled some special information to help you and your family get ready for the upcoming performance. Before you go to the show, you might want to take a few moments to review this “Going to The Rose” Guide so everyone will know what to expect from the performance!
About This Adaptation
This play was written by Allison Gregory, an award-winning playwright whose other plays for young audiences include Even Steven Goes to War, Peter and the Wolf, and Go, Dog. Go! She based it on three Junie B. books: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.), Shipwrecked, and Dumb Bunny. Ms. Gregory worked closely with Barbara Park, author of the Junie B. series, to create this adaptation.
The Story You Will See
Junie B. Jones and her first grade class are performing in a Holiday Sing-Along! But Junie B. and her least favorite classmate, May, can’t get along. The last time they were on stage together was during the Columbus Day play, and after a ship race that turned into a disaster, Junie B. isn’t keen on sharing the stage with May again. When Junie B. tries to change the lyrics to “Jingle Bells” to make her classmates laugh, May tells on her and ruins all her fun. Things get even worse when Mr. Scary has everyone draw a classmate’s name for Secret Santa… and Junie B. gets May! Will Junie B. spend her money on herself and give May the lump of coal she deserves? Or will she get into the true spirit of the holiday season and learn how to give rather than receive?
The Characters You Will Meet
• Junie B. Jones— a first grader with a strong will and lots of attitude.
• May— Junie B.’s least favorite classmate.
• Mr. Scary—Junie B.’s patient and good-natured teacher.
• Junie B.’s Wacky Classmates—These include Junie B.’s best friend Herb, the germaphobic Sheldon, the practical Jose, and proudly rich kid Lucille.
• Grampa Miller—Junie B.’s loveable grandfather who knows her well.
• Elf Ellen—the volunteer parent in charge of the school’s holiday gift shop.
• Mr. Toot—the enthusiastic music teacher directing the holiday program.
• Philip Johnny Bob—Junie B.’s stuffed elephant and imaginary confidante.
Things to “Know Before You Go”:
• Junie B. does quite a bit of creative name-calling in the show. You can discuss why name-calling is hurtful and other ways we express our frustration in ways that don’t hurt others’ feelings.
• May tattles on Junie B. as often as she can even after Mr. Scary asks her not to. You can discuss the difference between tattling and letting a teacher or other adult know if they feel threatened or hurt by a classmate.
• Lucille, one of Junie B.’s classmates, flaunts her wealth every chance she gets. Talk with your child about what truly makes a person rich.
• A burping toy is used and glorified in the show.
• This play, like many we present in our main stage season, is based on a popular children’s book series—one that your family may even have in your library at your home. It might only take a short while to read a Junie B. Jones book together. To make the books into a play, some characters or story elements from the book may have been changed by the playwright to help the story be a more engaging & entertaining experience on the stage.
Awesome Show-Related Activities
• Build a Boat!—Make a “ship costume” for your own Columbus Day play like Junie B. and her classmates. Cut the top & bottom out of an old box (one big enough to stand in). Add shoulder straps made of cloth or duct tape and to hold up your boat. Decorate your sailing ship with masts, portholes, sails, an anchor and more using recycled materials like paper plates, cardboard tubes, juice cartons, and cereal boxes. Be as creative as you like!
• Have A Holiday Hat!—Ring while you sing holiday hits just like Junie B. Add some wintertime felt shapes like snowflakes, gingerbread people and holly leaves out of craft felt to an old winter or Santa hat. Get a grown up to help attach them with hot glue or use safety pins. Add some jaunty jingle bells and beads in festive holiday colors. Now you’re ready to sing your songs in style!
• Stage a Silly Sing-Along!—Junie B.’s classmates (except May) enjoy her new, silly lyrics for favorite songs of the season. Try making up some new, funny words to go with a song like “Frosty The Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Jingle Bells.” Write down the real lyrics, skipping lines between each line of the song. Make up new words and write them down under each line of the song. You can perform your new song(s) for your family & friends. Just remember not to sing the wrong words at your school’s Holiday Sing-Along!
Before the Show Discussion Ideas
• Junie B. sometimes has a hard time following the directions and doing what she is supposed to do, especially at school. Do you ever have a hard time following directions and rules? Why do we have rules?
• Junie B. is very competitive, especially when it comes to her classmate May. What are some of your favorite competitive activities? When is a competition a good idea, and when is it better to work together?
• In the show, Junie B. confides in her favorite stuffed elephant, Philip Johnny Bob. She uses her imagination to make up his responses. Do you have a favorite toy you tell secrets to?
• Junie B. performs in a holiday sing-along in the play. Have you ever performed in a play or concert? What was your favorite part about it?
After the Show Discussion Ideas
• At the end of the play, instead of keeping the Squeeze-a-Burp for herself and giving May a lump of coal, Junie B. decides to give May the expensive gift. Why do you think she did this, even after May was mean to her? Do you think Junie B. and May will become friends?
• This play uses some different ways to tell a story than you may be used to. It uses flashbacks, like when Junie B. remembered the Columbus Day play. Junie B. also spoke directly to the audience in the middle of scenes, but no one else onstage could hear her. How did this make you feel? Why do you think the story was told this way?
• Junie B. makes up lots of clever names for May that make her classmates laugh, but aren’t very nice. How do you think it makes May feel when Junie B. calls her those names? How could May and Junie B. finally get along?
• Junie B.’s classmate Lucille is always talking about how rich she is. How do you think this makes the other students feel? What is a better way for Lucille to make friends?
