JUNIE B. JONES Opens Friday at Stages Theatre Company

Come sneak a peek into the "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal" of the sassy and lovable Junie B. Jones! This delightful, fun-filled musical kicks off our season just as school kicks off this fall. No one believes in herself quite like Junie B! Join her as she takes on best pal problems, new kids on the bus, trouble reading the blackboard, a friendly cafeteria lady and a kickball tournament. Based on four of Barbara Park's best-selling books, this charming musical will capture your heart just as the book series has captivated readers for over two decades!

The talented ensemble cast of Twin Cities actors also includes: Colton Ames (STUDENT), Ava Byrne (GRACE), Carly Clover (BOBBI JEAN PIPER), Sophia Farrell (MAY), Tiahna Wolfe-Shields (STUDENT), Victoria Fraser (CHENILLE), Sarah Halverson (STUDENT), Jack Hanna (STUDENT), Zoe Hollander (LENNIE), Clare Judge (CAMILLE), Riley Means (LUCILLE), George Mulder (HERB), Gavin Nienaber (JOSE), Brittany Parker (MOTHER/MRS GUTZMAN), Lizzie Semington (STUDENT), Fallon Shine (SHELDON), Brent Teclaw (DADDY/MR SCARY), and Ellie Turk (JUNIE B JONES).

Colton Ames (Student) We are excited to have Colton in his Stages Theatre Company debut. He previously appeared as part of our Next Stage production of The Little Mermaid Jr. He also appeared in productions with The Blake School. He is in the 8th grade, and enjoys fencing, snowboarding, scuba diving, and reading.

Ava Byrne (Grace) Ava is back on stage with Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in One Dog Canoe and Goodnight Moon. She has also appeared in productions with The Plays the Thing Productions. Ava is in the 9th grade, and enjoys playing the violin and cello, and reading.

Carley Clover (Bobbi Jean Piper) Carley is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in One Dog Canoe. She has also appeared in productions with the Gurthrie Theatre, Lyric Arts, Morris Park Players, Eden Prairie Players, Cross Community Players. Carley is in the 6th grade.

Sophia Farrell (May) We are excited to have Sophia in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She previously appeared as part of our Next Stage production of The Little Mermaid Jr. She also appeared in productions with Hopkins High School. She is in the 6th grade and enjoys dancing, competition dance team, biking, hanging out with friends, and singing.

Victoria M. Fraser (Chenille) We are excited to have Victoria in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She is in the 8th grade and enjoys dancing and gymnastics.

Boo Halverson (Student) We are excited to have Boo in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She has also appeared in productions with Robbinsdale Middle School Theatre. Boo is in the 9th grade and enjoys hockey, swimming, piano, reading, and Doctor Who.

Jack Hanna (Student) We are excited to have Jack in his Stages Theatre Company debut. He has also appeared in productions with Theatre Latte Da and Rosetown Playhouse. Jack is in the 6th grade and enjoys Legos, Minecraft, and singing with the Minnesota Boychoir.

Zoe Hollander (Lennie) Zoe is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and The Little Mermaid Jr. She has also appeared in productions with the MN Fringe Festival, Robbinsdale Middle School, and Fidgety Fairy Tales. Zoe is in the 7th grade.

Clare Judge (Camille) Clare is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Seussical, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Bridge to Terabithia, and Owl Moon. She has also appeared in productions with the St. Therese's Catholic School. Clare is in the 9th grade and enjoys dancing.

Riley Means (Lucille) We are excited to have Riley in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She has also appeared in productions with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Riley is in the 7th grade and enjoys piano, tap, jazz, ballet, knowledge bowl, and math league.

George Mulder (Herb) George is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Twelve Dancing Princesses, and The Little Mermaid Jr. He has also appeared in productions with Minnetonka Theatre and Chaska Valley Family Theatre. He is in the 11th grade and is an avid nordic skier.

Gavin Nienaber (José) We are excited to have Gavin in his Stages Theatre Company debut. He has also appeared in productions with Children's Theatre Company. Gavin is in the 5th grade and enjoys filming Lego mini-figures, writing screen plays, listening to music, reading, and watching movies.

Brittany Parker (Mother / Mrs. Gutzman) Brittany is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in Sideways Stories from Wayside School, The Wiz, and The Little Mermaid Jr. She has also appeared in productions with Children's Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, and Bloomington Civic Theatre. She will also apprear in an upcoming production at Old Log Theatre.

Lizzie Semington (Student) We are excited to have Lizzie in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She previously appeared as part of our Next Stage production of The Little Mermaid Jr. She is in the 5th grade and enjoys dancing.

Fallon Shine (Sheldon Potts) We are excited to have Fallon in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She has also appeared in productions with Robbinsdale Middle School. Fallon is in the 7th grade and enjoys Irish dancing, ice skating, and spending time outdoors.

Brent Teclaw (Daddy / Mr. Scary / Bus Driver) Brent has appeared in over 25 productions with Stages Theatre Company, including Twelve Dancing Princesses. He has also appeared in prodcutions with the Ordway, the Gurthrie Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Old Log Theater, Bloomington Civic Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and Troupe America on tour. Visit www.BrentTeclaw.com.

Ellie Turk (Junie B.) Ellie is returning to Stages Theatre Company, having previously appeared in Bridge to Teribithia, Seussical, Aladding Jr., Owl Moon, James and the Giant Peach, and The Little Mermaid Jr. She has also appeared in productions with Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and Chaska Valley Family Theatre. She is in the 9th grade and enjoys swimming.

Tiahna Wolfe-Shields (Student) We are excited to have Tiahna in her Stages Theatre Company debut. She is in the 5th grade and enjoys singing, arts and crafts, and making miniature charms out of polymer clay.

JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL features Book and Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich, and is Based on the book series by Barbara Park.

Creative Team: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Sandy Boren-Barrett, DIRECTOR - Cody R Braudt, STAGE MANAGER - Andrea Wylie, CHOREOGRAPHER - Michael Matthew Ferrell, PROPS DESIGNER - Jim Hibbeler, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - Gretchen Katt, MUSIC DIRECTOR - James Lekatz, COSTUME & MAKE-UP, DESIGNER - Lisa Mangone, LIGHTING DESIGNER - Karin Olson, SOUND DESIGNER - Alan Pagel, RESIDENT COSTUMER - Stacey Palmer, PRODUCTION MANAGER - Melanie Salmon-Peterson and SET DESIGNER - Holly Windingstad

For tickets, go to http://www.stagestheatre.org/upcoming-shows/junie-b-jones-the-musical/

Adapted from the books JUNIE B. JONES IS A GRADUATION GIRL, JUNIE B. JOES FIRST GRADER AT LAST!, JUNIE B. FIRST GRADER BOSS OF LUNCH, JUNIE B. FIRST GRADER TOOTHLESS WONDER and TOP SECRET BEESWAX, A JOURNAL BY JUNIE B. (AND ME!) By Barbara Park. Copyright © 2001, 2001, 2002, 2003 by Barbara Park. For more about the Junie B. Joes books, visit www.juniebjones.com or a bookstore near you! Originally produced by Theatreworks/USA JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax:212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.

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