By Zach Dunkin
Acting like a child isn’t necessarily a bad thing for an adult when you’re in the cast of “Junie B. Jones, The Musical.” Or, even if you are in the audience.
Created by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, “Junie B. Jones, The Musical” is an adaptation of four Barbara Park’s best-selling books brought to life. The Pyramid Players presentation will run on Fridays and Saturdays from Feb. 19 through March 19 at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theater.
Over the course of an hour, the show follows the bubbly Junie B. on an adventurous ride through first grade – meeting new friends, riding the bus, getting new glasses and playing in the school kickball tournament. “The B stands for Beatrice,” she says. “I do not like Beatrice. I just like B, and that’s all.”
Adults, not children, play the roles of Junie B. and other kids, including her ex-best friend Lucille, her new best friend Herb, the nerdy Sheldon and a budding control freak May.
“Most of actors will probably be in their 20s,” said Stark, whose theater duties also include stage managing. She has directed a handful of shows for the main stage and for the children’s series.
Although recommended for grades K through 5, the show is not strictly for kids, said Stark.
“The Junie B. Jones books are chapter books, so it kind of finds a wide range of kids that come to see it,” she said. “Toddlers certainly will enjoy watching it. Then, there are people who actually know the books – as they go through kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade – and have either read these books or have them read to them.
“I feel like anybody will enjoy coming to see it regardless of age because it is a musical, and the people will like the tunes that go with it.”
Junie B. Jones, The Musical
Where: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis
When: 10 a.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturdays, Feb. 19-March19
Cost: $15.50, includes show, juice and snack. For reservations, call 872-9964 or visit www.beefandboards.com.
