Christmas is just around the corner, and Junie B. Jones is in serious danger of making Santa's naughty list in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, running Nov. 4 - 20 as part of SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences series.
This stage version by Allison Gregory combines storylines from three books by Barbara Park, all of which feature Junie B. and her classmates in costume-and in trouble. Junie B. can't wait to perform in the school's holiday sing-along, but Mr. Scary-remembering the commotion Junie caused during the Columbus Day play (which we get to see via flashback)-has threatened to sideline her unless she makes peace with her nemesis, Tattletale May. To make matters worse, Junie B. draws May's name in the Secret Santa gift exchange. What kind of gift will she give her-a lump of coal, perhaps?
Melody Butiu (Shipwrecked!) plays the unforgettable Junie B.; Emily Eiden (A Year with Frog and Toad) is her enemy, Tattletale May; and Rudy Martinez (A Midsummer Night's Dream) is her best friend, Herb. Tony Sancho (Lydia, Mark Taper Forum), Erika Whalen (Sideways Stories from Wayside School) and Tobie Windham (A Midsummer Night's Dream) play their fellow classmates, as well as various adults. And Brian Hostenske (Pride and Prejudice) plays the children's teacher, Mr. Scary.
Casey Stangl, who directed SCR's Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business in 2009, will direct this production as well. Stangl is a former Minnesota Artist of the Year who has directed at theatres across the country, and also helmed SCR's production of In the Next Room or the vibrator play last season.
Playwright Allison Gregory is an Orange County native whose very first playwriting class was at SCR, taught by Associate Artistic Director John Glore. She has gone on to write numerous plays for children and adults. The production's creative ensemble consists of Keith Mitchell (Set Design), Sara Ryung Clement (Costume Design), Tom Ruzika (Lighting Design), Jeff Polunas (Sound Design) and Sue Karutz (Stage Manager).
Target is the Corporate Honorary Producer. OC Family is SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences Media Partner.
About TYA: SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences presents three professional productions each season designed especially for children and their families. In addition to the public performances, TYA hosts more than 10,000 students from elementary schools annually in an effort to introduce the next generation to the magic of live theater.
TICKETS to Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! can be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or by visiting the box office at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Performances begin on Nov. 4 and continue through Nov. 20. Ticket prices range from $20 to $32. Low-priced previews are available from Nov. 4 - 11.
LOCATION: South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Folino Theatre Center, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Parking is available off Anton Blvd. on Park Center Drive.
COMING UP: A Christmas Carol (Nov. 26 - Dec. 24), Topdog/Underdog (Jan. 8 - Jan. 29).
ABOUT SCR: Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. SCR is committed to theatre that illuminates the compelling personal and social issues of our time, not only on its stages but through its wide array of education and outreach programs. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern theatre, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program, which includes the nation's largest commissioning program for emerging and established writers and composers. Each year, it showcases some of country's best new plays in the Pacific Playwrights Festival, which attracts theatre professionals from across the country. Of SCR's more than 450 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres, whose subsequent stagings achieved enormous success throughout America and around the world. Two SCR-developed works have won Pulitzer Prizes, and another eight were named Pulitzer finalists. In addition, SCR works have won several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, California, SCR's Folino Theater Center is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. Today, SCR produces 13 shows and eight public readings each season.
