Young Company Winter Festival Comes to Greater Boston Stage Company

The Young Company Winter Festival, performed by actors in grades 1-12, is the culmination of 8 weeks of rehearsals by the students and their professional directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, and design team. The Young Company Winter Festival includes 4 fully-staged productions: family-friendly musical Junie B. Jones, Jr., beloved classic Annie, Disney's enchanting Beauty and the Beast, and the hilarious comedy 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Sneak a peek into the Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones! Delightfully adapted from Barbara Park's best-selling books, Junie B. Jones, Jr takes us through her first day of 1st grade. Lot of things have changed for her - between friends, new kids, and a kickball tournament, first grade is harder and more exciting than it looks! Directed and Choreographed by Sydney Grant, Assistant Directed by Sophie Gore, Music Direction by Vanessa Schukis, Assistant Music Direction by Justin Knowlton, Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl, and Stage Managed by Shauwna Grillo.

Based on the popular comic strip, Annie tells the extraordinary story of a plucky orphan who spends the holidays with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Despite their "hard knock life," Annie and her friends adventure all around NYC, and even try to find Annie's real parents. This classic family musical's message of resilience in the face of adversity, and her "the sun will come out" idealism will inspire a new generation of audiences. Co-Directed by Sarah Gazdowicz, Co-Directed & Choreographed by Liana Percoco, Music Direction by Lea Peterson, Assistant Music Direction by Laura Chowenhill, Costume Design by Megan Fusco, and Stage Managed by Shauwna Grillo.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, a "tale as old as time," is a magical musical centered on Belle, a young intelligent woman who feels out of place in her provincial town. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle's attempt to rescue him means facing - and then living with - the Beast. Under an enchantment, the Beast can only become human if he learns to love and be loved in return. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Directed by Marge Dunn, Choreographed by Alyssa Bene, Music Direction by Bethany Aiken, Costume Design by Theona White, and Stage Managed by Andrew Donoghue.

An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through this comical musical as audiences fall in love, both with the show itself and its "perspicacious," "jocular," and "effervescent" spellers. Directed by Samantha Richert, Music Direction by Nicholas Foster, Assistant Music Direction by Justin Knowlton, Costume Design by Erica Desautels, and Stage Managed by Molly Burman.

The Young Company Winter Festival program and design team also includes Dori Robinson (Director of Education), Tyler Rosati (Education & Artistic Associate), Deirdre Benson (Festival Production Manager) Andrew Donoghue (Assistant Festival Production Manager), Tori Oakes (Set Designer), Matt Cost (Lighting Designer), and Avery Desroisers (Properties Master).

Performances:

Junie B. Jones Jr.-Sunday, January 27th at 11AM; Saturday, February 2nd at 11AM; and Sunday, February 3rd at 11AM. Junie B. Jones Jr. is recommended for all ages.

Annie-Saturday, January 26th at 1PM; Sunday, January 27th at 1PM; Saturday, February 2nd at 1PM; and Sunday, February 3rd at 1PM. Annie is recommended for all ages.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast-Saturday, January 26th at 4PM; Sunday, January 27th at 4PM; Thursday, January 31st at 7:30PM; and Saturday, February 2nd at 4PM. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is recommended for all ages.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Friday, January 25th at 7:30PM; Saturday, January 26th at 7:30PM; Friday, February 1st at 7:30PM; and Saturday, February 2nd at 7:30PM. 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Tickets are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at Greater Boston Stage Company at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.greaterbostonstage.org.

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