First Stage Presents JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS!, 11/25

First Stage rings in the holiday season with JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! at the Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water Street, downtown Milwaukee, from November 25 - December 24, 2011. Directed by Jeff Frank, this hilarious yet heartwarming holiday show is based on the popular children's book series by Barbara Park and adapted by Allison Gregory. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org.

‘Tis the season in Room One and Junie B. is ready to celebrate! But while visions of goodies from the school's holiday gift shop frolic about her mind, the dreaded holiday sing-a-long looms (who could forget the great Columbus Day Disaster!?). Things get even worse when Junie gets stuck with her nemesis Tattletale May for the Secret Santa gift exchange. But wait - maybe the Secret Santa exchange is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves... Join us for this delightful family show that captures the spirit of the holidays as seen through the eyes of spunky Junie B!

"I think young people love Junie B. because she's not perfect. She makes mistakes (often in hilarious fashion) and learns from them - just like we all do. And this play ultimately explores what it means to give, when all you really want to do is take," said Jeff Frank, First Stage artistic director and director of this production.

Director Jeff Frank has acted as First Stage's artistic director since February 2003. Previously he had served as education director/associate artistic director. Jeff is a native Wisconsinite who earned a B.F.A. in theater from UW-Whitewater and went on to the University of Utah, earning an M.F.A. in child drama. Over the past twelve seasons Jeff has directed many First Stage productions. Among his favorites are: PETER PAN AND WENDY, U: BUG: ME, THE NEVERENDING STORY, SLEEPING BEAUTY, TOM SAWYER, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE, A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, THE HOBBIT, A MIDNIGHT CRY, PERSEUS BAYOU, A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE GIVER.

The adult actor cast of JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! includes Todd Denning (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Mr. Scary; Beth Mulkerron (Member of Actor's Equity Association) as Elf Ellen/Ms. Toot; and Rick Richter as Grandpa Miller.
Young performer roles are double-cast. Young performers in the Jingle cast are Mallorey Wallace (as Junie) from Nashotah; Gaby Musickant (as May) from Mequon; Darius Gaskin (as Herb) from Greenfield; Charlie Kelley (as Jose) from Germantown; Preston Carr (as Sheldon) from Milwaukee; Regan Carter (as Lucielle) and Pano Tsiamis (as Sinbad) from Waukesha; Zarafshan Sobti (as Hook) from Shorewood; and Joey Cummings (as Popeye) from Franklin.

The young performers in the Bell cast are Claire Zempel (as Junie B.) and Marika Marklin (as May) from Wauwatosa; Jarred Manista (as Herb) from Fox Point; Carlos Meyers (as Jose) from Milwaukee; Jonathan Neustifter (as Sheldon) from Racine; Madison Uebelacker (as Lucielle) from Delafield; Alyssa Sachs (as Hook) from Cudahy; Ely Talbot (as Sinbad) from Whitefish Bay; and Dominic Zappia (as Popeye) from West Bend.

The Artistic Staff for JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS includes: Noele Stollmack (Scenic Designer/Lighting Designer), Andrea Bouck (Costume Designer), Joshua Horvath (Sound Designer), Jeff Schaetzke (Music Director), Beth Mulkerron (Choreographer), Melissa Wanke (Stage Manager), and Mariel Hildenbrand (Assistant Stage Manager)

Tickets for JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! start at $15. Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.

JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! opens Friday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. Other performances are held: Saturday, November 26 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, November 27 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Friday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 3 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 10 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 17 at 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, December 23 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.

There is an Opening Night Reception on Friday, November 25. Following the opening night performance First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, located one mile from the Marcus Center. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast and crew of JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage.

Junie B.'s Superhero Costume Contest is from Friday, November 25 through Sunday, November 27.Children are encouraged to wear their favorite superhero costumes to any opening weekend performance; all children in costume will receive a coupon for a free cookie to redeem during intermission. Winners will receive a $20 gift certificate to Rainbow Booksellers. Gift certificates may be redeemed for a book purchase at the First Stage merchandise counter in the lobby or at Rainbow Booksellers located at 5704 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee. One winner will be selected at each performance.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in the 2011-12 season, First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

 

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