Junie B. Jones once said, “Books are my favorite things in the whole world!” Adapted from the popular childhood book series, a musical theater production at Slippery Rock University will offer audiences who favor books, music and theater a world to experience. The SRU Theatre Department will present five performances of “Junie B. Jones, the Musical,” Feb. 28 to March 4, in the Stoner East Black Box Theater.
Show times and dates are 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28 and March 3-4, and 2 p.m., March 1-2. Tickets are $12 for SRU students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or in person at the Stoner East ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.
Directed by Kari-Anne Innes, a SRU assistant professor of theatre, “Junie B. Jones, the Musical” follows the title character as she faces changes on her first day of first grade: her friend Lucille no longer wants to be her best friend and Junie 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.
“Junie B. Jones deals with some of the same things college students do—changing friend groups, realizing you might need accommodations, and finding the courage to tackle what feels impossible,” said Innes. “Having college students play these roles, I hope the audience sees themselves in the production and realizes that first grade struggles aren’t so different from our own. The key difference is that first-graders face challenges with creativity and optimism. My hope is that the audience reconnects with those childhood qualities, helping them stay curious and joyful.”
“Junie B. Jones, the Musical” book and lyrics are by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich and it is based on the book series by Barabara Park. The production is licensed by Music Theatre International.
The cast includes:
- Care Caldwell, a sophomore acting major from Lexington, Kentucky, as Junie. B.
- Miriam Shrivastava, a junior acting major from Mason, Ohio, as Lucille.
- Jack Cipriani, a sophomore acting major from Moon Township, as Camille.
- Jane Elyse, a senior acting major from Cranberry Township, as Chenille.
- Joseph Digney, a sophomore acting major from Marysville, Ohio, as Herb.
- Alec Lamascola, a sophomore acting major from Lancaster, Ohio, as Sheldon.
- Joey Estok, a sophomore acting major from Latrobe, as Lenny.
- David McGrogan, a junior acting major from Carnegie, as Jose.
- Katelynn Handa, a sophomore acting major from Pittsburgh, as May.
- Rachel Lewiski, a junior acting major from Chester Springs, as Grace.
- Zoie Wade, a junior acting major from Plano, Texas, as Bobbi Jean.
- Demiah Brown, a sophomore acting major from Beaver Falls, as Mother.
- Kaleb Purswell, a senior acting major from Panama City, as Daddy.
- Maria Squyres, a junior dual secondary education and acting major from Butler, as Mrs. Gutzman and Mr. Woo.
- Aidan Duez, a sophomore acting major from Kingwood, Texas, as Mr. Scary.
The creative team includes:
- Kari-Anne Innes, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the director and box office coordinator.
- Austyn Acker, a senior acting major from Brandon, Florida, as the associate director.
- Maya Hope, as the choreographer and publicist.
- Jack Cipriani, a sophomore acting major from Moon Township, as dance captain.
- Abby Weiser, a sophomore theatre major from Bellefonte, as stage manager.
- Lincoln Sandham, an SRU instructor of music, as music supervisor.
- Ricky Osman, a senior acting major from Wilmington, Delaware, as music director.
- Sam Kuchta, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the scenic designer and lighting designer.
- Ryan Mullen, a freshman theatre major from Pittsburgh, as assistant lighting designer.
- Rebecca Morrice, an SRU professor of theatre, as the costume designer.
- Mary Hodson, SRU costumer coordinator.
- Julia Nurenberg, a freshman dual acting and strategic communication and media major from Granger, Indiana, as assistant costume designer.
- Aaron Galligan-Stierle, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the intimacy director.
- Burton Tedesco, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the fight director.
- Michael Boone, SRU technical director.
- Alex Barnhart, SRU assistant technical director.
- Isaac Perez, a senior theatre major from Pasadena, Texas, as the sound designer
- Lee Spark, a junior theatre major from Cranberry Township, as propmaster.
- Hailey Rodgers, a freshman acting major from Aurora, Colorado, as prop artisan.
- Mary Narvett, a freshman dual strategic communication and acting major from Baden, as the house manager.
- Maggie Mitchell, a sophomore theatre major from Ambridge, as assistant stage manager.
- Ryan Eggert, a sophomore theatre major from Albion, as assistant stage manager.
- Michael Rodriguez, a freshman acting major from Philipsburg, as rehearsal stage manager.
- Joseph Digney, a sophomore acting major from Marysville, Ohio, as the fight captain.
Understudies/swings include:
- Sydney Korpusik, a sophomore acting major from Dayton, Ohio, as an understudy.
- rissa Williams, a freshman acting major from Allison Park, as an understudy.
- Giovanni Clark, a sophomore acting major from Beaver Falls, as an understudy.
- Evan Jarvis, a freshman acting major from Ormond Beach, Florida, as an understudy.
- Michael Rodriguez, a freshman acting major from Philipsburg, as an understudy.
- Emily Beckman, a freshman acting major from York, as an understudy.
- Kadence Storms, a sophomore theatre major from Shohola, as an understudy.
- Cordelia Jenkins, a freshman dual acting and English literature major from Glen Rock, as an understudy.
- Maxwell Medford, a junior acting major from Slippery Rock, as an understudy.
- Rowan Wilken, a freshman acting major from Oceanside, New York, as an understudy.
- Nicholas Cox, a freshman acting major from Aiden, New York, as an understudy.
For more information about theatre programs at SRU, visit the Theatre Department’s webpage.
