On a recent evening at Juneau Douglas High School, assistant director and high school junior Lydia B. Smith gave a cast of around 30 high students tips on delivery and timing before they jumped back into the thrills and the horrors of first grade, as lived through Junie B. Jones, a character many of them got to know as a kid. “Energy!” yelled director Michaela Moore. (There was lots of it.)
Moore said she’s wanted JDHS to perform “Junie B. Jones: The Musical” for years. “I jumped on it when the rights became available,” she said.
The book were written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus.
Junie B. is “a spunky little girl who can be a little sassy sometimes, and she’s a ball of fun,” said senior Keely Ewing, who’s playing Junie B. in the musical. Ewing grew up reading the books, and Junie was her favorite character. “I would always be like ‘Oh, I’m going to grow up and be like just like her!’” she said. “She’s just fun and trouble.”
First grade isn’t necessarily easy for Junie B. Her teacher’s name is Mr. Scary, and her best friend from kindergarten, Lucille — played by Lily Otsea — has decided she’d rather be friends with some other girls. Fortunately, Junie B. never stays down for long.
Smith, who wants to go into a career as an actor, is the first assistant director she’s had in years of directing plays at JDHS, said teacher Michaela Moore.
“The cast really respect her,” Moore said. “They trust her judgment.”
“I’ve never done anything like this,” said Smith, who was originally cast in the play, but had to step back due to a schedule conflict. “It’s an experience – it’s really fun.”
Brandon Hard is playing the cafeteria lady, Mrs. Gutzman.
“I’m kind of really being a character who’s a woman,” he said, adding that he likes the role. “A lot of people aren’t very comfortable with themselves, so they see a dude playing a chick — they feel more comfortable.”
Stage manager Emily Schnitzius “does a little of everything” — doing the music during dress rehearsals, typing the program, painting props and more.
They hope a lot of kids come to the performance next weekend, Moore said. They’re performing for one weekend only; on Saturday, between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, they’re having a Junie B. Jamboree. The kids in the cast will host different parts of it — facepainting, decorating sugar cookies, storytime with Junie. B., kickball, cheerleading, learning one of the dances from the show, and more.
“Adults will really be entertained and find it funny, too,” Moore said. “For me, it’s kind of a tribute to Barbara Park…(who recently died.) My whole lifes as a teacher and parent, her books have been very important to me.”
“People should come see it,” said Ewing. “It’s fun.”
• Contact Capital City Weekly managing editor Mary Catharine Martin at maryc.martin@capweek.com.
Know and Go:
Junie B. Jones: The Musical is playing in the JDHS Auditorium May 12 at 7 p.m., May 13 at 7 p.m., and May 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (In between, at 3:30, is the jamboree in the main gym.) General admission is $15; kids and students are $10 each. Tickets are available at www.jahc.org and Hearthside Books. Add $2 if you buy your tickets at the door.
Juneau-Douglas High School students rehearse for their spring musical production of “Junie B. Jones.”
