Riverside Theatre Presents JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL

Riverside Theatre for Kids presents the area premiere of the popular children's book, Junie B. Jones, The Musical in a live stage show on May 30 - June 1, 2019.

Based on the popular children's book series written by Barbara Park, Junie B. Jones, The Musical follows Junie on her first day of first grade and the new adventures that await including: making friends on the bus with the new kid at school, thinking she needs glasses when she can't see the blackboard in class, meeting the friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and the "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal." With fun-filled songs written by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Junie B. Jones, The Musical will capture an audience's heart just as the books captivated an entire generation.

"We're so happy to be premiering the area debut of this fun and silly show," said Kevin Quillinan, Director of Education at Riverside Theatre and Director for this production. "Our students are having the time of their lives tackling the misadventures of the plucky little heroine who never gives up.

"Because we had so many talented students audition (55 in all!) and the limited number of roles, I took the rare step for us to completely double cast the show. One cast, the Beeswax Cast, will perform on May 30th at 7pm and June 1st at 2pm. The other cast, the Kickball Cast, will perform on May 31st at 7pm and June 1st at 7pm.

"There is plenty to enjoy in this bright and hysterical musical for the whole family."

Barbara Park first introduced Junie B. Jones in 1992 with her first book, Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. The first book centered on Junie B., a fictional "almost six year-old," starting her first day of kindergarten. The book proved so popular, a series of twenty-seven additional books were published between 1992 and 2013.

The Beeswax Cast includes: Catie Lincoln (Junie B. Jones), Isabella M. Curulla (Lucille), David Calahan (Herb), Chloe Stepanek (May), Bryce Roux (Sheldon), Lillian McCullough (Camille), Rosemary McCullough (Chenille), Aleah Rose Hilliard (Grace), Abigail Moon Lantz (Bobbi Jean Piper), Seth Pietsch (Jose), Danielle Rustay (Lennie), Rebecca Kaylor (Mrs. Scary), Emily Rose Olsson (Mother), Billy Joe Banks III (Daddy), Kelsey Albrecht (Mrs. Gutzman), Branden Elwell (Mr. Who, The Bus Driver), with Kaitlyn Grace Andersen, Baylin Bischoff, Savannah Brown, Tyler Alexa Colgan, Olivia Gaughran, and Clarissa Hazellief as the School Kids.

The Kickball Cast includes: Chantal E. Werner (Junie B. Jones), Xaria Arielle Reason (Lucille), Davion Louissaint (Herb), Kaitlin Simmons (May), Emma Fini (Sheldon), Lisa Nicole Moscoso (Camille), Krisina Gregg (Chenille), Palmer Lynn Vorkapich (Grace), Sasha Martell (Bobbi Jean Piper), Peter Wixon (Jose), Kiira Hayes (Lennie), Nia Poley (Mrs. Scary), Emily Grace Duncanson (Mother), Zane Morrow (Daddy), Brooke Billings (Mrs. Gutzman), Brieyana Miranda (Mrs. Who, The Bus Driver), with Dakota Helgeson, Carlee Miranda, Alyson Oates, Angel Owen, Gabrielle Palma, and Jasmine Schutt as the School Kids.

Along with Director Quillinan, the creative team includes: Theo Blumstein, Ben Lundy, Sofia Tosches & Lily Warner (Assistant Directors), Deborah Quillinan (Music Director), Ben Lundy (Assistant Music Director), Emily Perry (Scenic Design), Erin Connor (Costume Design), Sarah Elliot (Lighting Design), Andrew Stroud (Sound Design), Jenevieve Lee (Props Design), and Rachel Scherer (Stage Manager).

Tickets are $10 and can purchased by calling the Riverside Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.