*****  When it comes to theater for youngsters, the Young People’s Theatre of Chicago sure knows its stuff. Today I went to see their latest production, “Junie B. Jones, The Musical” based on the book series by Barbara Park. This one-hour musical with a book ( and lyrics) by Marcy Heiselr and music by Zina Goldrich, is fast and furious, keeping the children in the audience ( and their adult companions as well) into the story.

Junie B. ( played to perfection by Whitney Marie Wolf) is starting first grade. She is excited and starts her new journal which she will fill with her adventures. We, the audience, are along for the ride. As you know, when it comes to theater for young people, I try to find either a junior reviewer on my staff ( those used before) or find a new one. Today, since all my regulars were booked for other activities, I found Mira, a 5-year-old who was with her grandma, Amy.

Mira loved “Junie B. Jones”. In particular, she loved the  segment with Mrs. Guzman’s snacks, and that the kids all got sugar cookies at the end. The actor that played this role was the same man that played the father and the school bus driver- she thought that was real neat.

Another favorite part for her was the song in the begining when her freind Lucille (Danno) tells her she has new friends with names that rhyme and the song they sing.

Lastly, she is a dancer and loved the synchronized dancing. note: Grandma liked the choreography as well!

In short, Mira loved the show!

The set is a very large composition book and when it is opened it is like a map of what we will experience through our adventure with Junie B.. Hat’s off to Shayna Patel and her crew. The cast is small in numbers, but huge in talent and energy, taking on many roles.Bridget Adams-King, Brad Bradshaw, Marcus Jackson, Crystal Claros and Emile Rose Danno- you are all terrific.

Directed by Randy White in the larger first floor theater at The Greenhouse Theater Center, the story is about making friends, keeping friends, facing changes in life, overcoming uncomfortable situations and never giving up.

Junie B goes through losing her kindergarten best friend, to meeting a new kid. She finds out she needs glasses and is fearful that she will be teased, but learns that fear is something that is in one’s own mind. Yes, the other kids loved her new purple glasses. We learn about bringing lunch versus buying lunch and the importance of being honest with each other as we write the story of our lives in a journal.

The costumes (Cindy Moon) were cute and the lighting (Kevin Rechner), sound (Kurt Ottinger) and props (Saskia Bakker) added a great deal to the story telling. Matthew Weidenbener’s choreography was right on and Sam Shanman’s musical direction was perfect. I also was very impressed that both Bradshaw and Wolf could juggle as it added a great deal to the storyline.

 

 

Presented by Young People’s Theatre of Chicago

“Junie B. Jones” will continue thru  Nov 5,  at The Greenhouse Theatre with performances as follows: