Nora Checks Out Junie B!

Photo: Emerald City Theatre Company

This past weekend we were lucky enough to score tickets for the press opening of Emerald City Theatre's 'Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,' adapted by Allison Gregory and directed by Jacqueline Stone.

For the uninitiated, Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones is one of those books right now...the kind where kids freak out and love her and know every single misadventure of the spunky first grader.

(For the super uninitiated, Emerald City is one of those theatre companies- really stellar at producing smart, fun, theatre for kids and families.)

Even though, at two, Nora is slightly younger than the show's target demographic, I had a feeling she'd dig it. And she totally did, starting with the pre-show craft. For each Christmas card created by a kid and dropped off in the lobby box, a book will be donated to underprivileged kids. (Nora loved the drawing- we loved the sentiment.)

Giving!

Then, she was stoked to receive her own kids' playbill, complete with a section for character autographs (I'm not kidding, this thing is a phenomenon). My program had a Parent's Guide to further conversations on being generous even when it's tough- like when you pull your mortal enemy's name in the holiday Secret Santa. (Been there.)

Junie B., vivaciously played by Amber Robinson, wants two things: to one-up the blabbermouth May (the hilariously smug Samantha Perry), and to have the holiday shop's squeeze-a-burp toy for herself. (Been there, too!) Antics ensue, lessons are learned, and every square inch of the theater is utilized by the energetic (and spot-on) actors. There's some serious physicality and exceptional prop-work going on here, too.

And lest you think that a kid-captivating show like this would be a snoozefest for adults, rest assured. There were plenty of moments where P.J. and I laughed out loud- perhaps even guffawed- namely a scene concerning Sheldon (Ricky Harris) and his lunch money. And any show that can make you momentarily forget you're holding a two year-old and a six week-old is pretty fabulous children's theatre, indeed.

Serious theatergoer.

Nora was enthralled. P.J. and I were entertained. Suzy...well, she happily snored. (You can't win 'em all.)

***

Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! runs Nov. 17th- Jan. 8th at the Apollo Theatre, located at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.
Run time is approx. one hour
www.emeraldcitytheatre.com