By Melissa Sparks
Junie B. Jones the Musical Jr. is a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical. It features Vicksburg students from the fourth grade to eighth grade on stage at the Performing Arts Center on October 26, 27 and 28.
Stella Reitenour plays the title character, Junie B Jones and is in 7th grade. She’s posing with her “Top Secret Personal Beeswax” journal. The whole story is told through Junie’s perspective as she journals her year in first grade. A few other leading characters are Matthew Andres as Herb; Lily Puckett as Mother; Paul Pheils as Daddy; Addison Geesaman as Lucille.
It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.
Shows will go on Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2 p.m. Tickets for this event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for students (18 and under).
Order before October 19 and families of between 4-6 members (same household) are $30. Reservations can be made now by visiting vicksburgschools.org/performing-arts-center or by calling the Vicksburg Performing Arts center ticket office at 321-1193 beginning October 22.