If you’ve had a child in elementary school any time recently, you’ve got to know Junie B. Jones.
Junie is the beloved star of a series of chapter books that has helped millions of children learn to love reading. And now, area second and third graders can see the infamous Junie B on stage in “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!”
Junie B. Jones (Sarah Beth Richard) is a first grader, excited like all of her classmates because it’s the week before Christmas and time to choose Secret Santas.
After a disastrous school-wide rendition of Jingle Bells, in which she manages to work in the lyrics “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, P.S. so does May,” Junie B. and her classmate May are told by their teacher, Mr. Scary (Nicholas Barlow) that they must resist the temptation to call each other names and tattle on one another or face a trip to the principal’s office. Junie B. recalls a prior disastrous school-wide encounter with May (Annabel Barr) during the Columbus Day play and the two girls agree to a shaky truce. Later that day, the students are excited to draw the names for the Secret Santa gift exchange — and of course Junie B. draws May’s name.
The show will be performed for all second- and third-graders in the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
Public performances are Nov. 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 19 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Norvell Theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Call 704-633-5471.
The show is directed by Reid Leonard, with costume design by Shelley Porter-Walker, set design by Abby Robinette and Maryn Miles and light design by Jonathan Matthews.