BWW Reviews: NCT's Rambunctious JUNIE B. Welcomes The Holiday Season in Fine Fashion

Truth be told, seeing Henry Haggard and Jeff Boyet playing first graders may be enough to ensure that you get yourself to Nashville Children's Theatre for the company's wonderfully entertaining production of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. But the production holds so many delightful riches - not the least of which is Brooke Bryant's completely engaging portrayal of the title character - that it is certain to delight audiences of all ages who make it to NCT to revel in this holiday season respite that imparts a lesson while eliciting laughs, gasps and so much more over the course of an hour or so in the theater.

Adapted by Allison Gregory from the Junie B. Jones books written by Barbara Park, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells is a holiday comedy that appeals to all audiences who, despite the disparity in their ages, will find much to admire about the spunky heroine and her ragtag band of first grade cohorts. And while the play's focus is on the holiday season - what with its Secret Santas, shopping for gifts and a "Jingle Bells"-singing school assembly (which doesn't necessarily sound all that controversial) - at its heart, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells is a parable about kindness and thoughtfulness. While those two attributes are too often lost in the over-commercialization that is the holiday season in our contemporary world, that's what should be most important. After all, being kind and thoughtful are things we should strive for at any time of the year, regardless of what the calendar tells us.

But we have to accept the fact that anything about the holiday season can result in some sort of controversy - and, granted, it's hard to be totally inclusive of all religions and schools of thought when discussing holidays based upon a story grounded in religion - and school directors, principals, superintendents, teachers and parents have been involved in an imbroglio over the question of whether Junie B. and her classmates are touting a religious philosophy, thereby excluding some children in so doing. That's unfortunate, but admittedly that's life in the 21^st century. Can't we all just get along?

Granted, the character of Junie B. Jones is no stranger to controversy: Park's books have been called into question by people who contend that Junie B. is a bad influence. She can sometimes be ill-behaved, is criticized for being a poor speller and she's not the perfect picture of a young lady. However, Junie B. is full of heart, brimming over with a cheeky enthusiasm for life and she has a penchant for over-reacting to the situations she finds herself in on a regular basis. In short, she sounds like a real, honest-to-goodness kid.

Directed with confidence by Peter Vann - whose vision for the piece is borne out through Scott Leathers' wonderful scenic and lighting design, Patricia Taber's superb costume design and Daniel Brewer's terrific sound design - Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells delivers its message rather straight-forwardly (although without any heavy-handedness), ensuring that everyone has a good time and everyone feels involved in all the onstage fun. By play's end, everyone in the audience has learned a vital life lesson: Be kind to everyone around you and your selflessness will very likely make you feel better inside than you could ever have imagined.  What's more inclusive than that?

And, at play's end, when a gentle snow begins to fall upon the stage and you hear the gasps of wonderment from among the children in the audience, their eyes twinkling as brightly as Leathers' lighting, you'll once again find yourself inspired to do good and be kind yourself, so caught up in the spirit of the season are you.

Vann's cast is led by the luminous Bryant as the irrepressible Junie B., who takes on the role with her whole heart, bringing the six-year-old Junie B. to life with charm and grit. Bryant's likable presence provides the show with its high-spirited core, which allows the other characters to move in and out of her high-wattage orbit with ease.

The aforementioned Haggard, playing Junie B.'s first grade best friend Herbert, and Boyet, as Jewish classmate Sheldon (who has a fascinating family), are sheer delights. Each man plays his young character with alarming grace, capturing in both movement and style what it means to be a six-year-old boy and never relying on the easy way out. As a result, they deliver authentic performances even as they move easily into other roles (Haggard also plays Junie B.'s Grandpa Miller and Boyet is her beloved stuffed elephant Phillip Johnny Bob). Seeing Haggard toss around his long blond hair or Boyet's curly wig balanced atop his head is guaranteed to make you smile - long after you've left the theater, in fact.

Cori Anne Laemmel is perfectly cast as Junie B.'s first grade nemesis May, the foil for her uproarious antics, and Rona Carter gives a winning performance as the spoiled Lucille (who, you might recall, was one of Junie B.'s best friends in kindergarten) and as Elf Ellen, the PTO mom who runs the school gift shop. Patrick Waller also does double-duty as classmate Jose and school music teacher Mr. Toot. The versatile Bobby Wyckoff completes the cast as Junie B.'s teacher Mr. Scary, whom she assures us really doesn't scare her - well, not that much at least.

Together, the ensemble bring the story to life with a sharp focus and thorough commitment to the piece, which is yet another fine example of the amazing work that is done year after year at Nashville Children's Theatre. Clearly, there's much to admire in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, but be prepared for a finale that will knock your socks off: A live performance of "All I Want For Christmas (Is You)" that will leave you wanting more from this talented cast of Nashville's best actors.

-  Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! By Allison Gregory, adapted from the books by Barbara Park. Directed by Peter Vann. Presented by Nashville Children's Theatre. Through December 18. For details, visit www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org. For reservations, call (615) 254-9103.

 

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