The theater is filling up. The excitement is palpable. The audience is mostly grade schoolers or younger. Lots of the kids are dressed in their party going best. They can barely contain themselves waiting for the curtain to go up on “Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.”

“Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” is the kickoff show for B Street Theatre’s Family Series seventh season. The play is based on Barbara Park’s very popular Junie B. Jones children’s book series.

Veteran children's playwright Allison Gregory adapted the book for the stage. B Street Family Series also produced Gregory’s adaptation of “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business” in 2007, as well as her adaptation of Dr. Seuess’ “Go Dog Go” in 2008-2009.

The kids pre-show excitement is justified. The kids (and adults) are richly rewarded with lots of humor and silliness, fun costumes and props, plotting and revenge and of course good old family values.

Just a few minutes into the play it is amazingly easy to suspend belief with 20 somethings portraying first graders. They act like first graders. They look like first graders!

Brittni Barger plays the title character. Barger is an acting intern for B Street’s 2009-2010 company. She has been on several of the Fantasy School Tours. The character is described in B Street’s press release as “precocious and persistent.” Barger does an excellent job at being a first grader and balancing Junie B.’s obnoxious and lovable sides.

Stephanie Altholz plays Junie B.’s arch nemesis, “the equally mischievous and willful Tattletale May.” Altholz has performed several adult and children's roles at B Street and other Sacramento stages. Her May is very much an equal to Brittni Barger’s Junie B.

John Lamb has been with B Street for 14 years and 36 productions. Many of these productions were with The B Street Theatre School Tours (formerly Fantasy Theatre). He has also directed at B Street. Lamb is amazing how believable he is as a first grader. He plays Sheldon and Philip Johnny Bob Junie B.’s stuffed elephant. Lamb is a hoot as Sheldon standing his ground with the PTO mother who’s third grader son stole Sheldon’s lunch money. He wants his money back and he isn’t taking no for an answer. He and Barger are great as Junie B tosses Philip Johnny Bob around on her giant bed.

John Lamb as Sheldon far right

Jerrel O’Neal is Junie B.’s best friend Herb and also her grandpa Miller. He is a new acting intern with B Street for 2010-2011. A graduate of the Alabama State University Theatre Arts Department, has performed in several roles before coming to Sacramento. He demonstrates his range from first grader to wise grandfather.

Image by: Barry Wisdom

Jerrel O’Neal as Herb center

Megan O’Neil member of the 2008 B Street Intern Company plays Lucille the girl in class that loves to tell everyone how rich her family is and Elf Ellen. Elf Ellen is the PTO mother that has to stand up to Sheldon’s badgering.

The last classmate, Jose, is played by Andrew J. Perez who also plays Mr Toot the music teacher. A Sacramento native Perez won an Elly for best supporting actor (“Peter Pan”) when performing at Jesuit High School and St. Francis. He attended Seattle University graduating in 2009 with a BA in Drama and Creative Writing. He appeared in several shows in the Seattle area before returning to his home town. His music is also on facebook. Perez’s acting skill is a testament to the drama education still provided by many private schools. This show again is one that allows him to show his range from first grader to teacher.

 Andrew J. Perez as Jose

Overseeing all this is Mr. Scary the teacher played by B Street Acting Company member Dave Perini. His Mr. Scary is the calm in the whirlwind that is his classroom. Many of the values in the play are spoken by Mr. Scary. For much more information on Dave Pierini and his role in “Junie B. Jones” see Barry Wisdom’s excellent SacPress article.

Image by: Barry Wisdom

Michael Stevenson co-director of the B Street Conservatory and member of the B Street Acting Company. He has directed several plays at B Street including the recent well received “Becky’s New Car.” He also directs at Sacramento Theatre Company (including “Noises Off”) and Capitol Stage (this season’s opener “Mauritius”). He moves things right along to match the attention spans of much of the audience while balancing the action so things don’t blur. He also elicits performances from his actors that are believable to both the children and adults.

Ron Madonia (lighting design) and Catherine Frye (set design) do a great job of repurposing the set of the B3 production “Well.” Since this production also travels to several schools it is the props that are most important. Especially fun are the “boats” used in the school Columbus Day Pageant. Madonia’s lighting works well for highlighting a character at the front of the stage addressing the audience while major changes are taking place in relative darkness in the background. 

Costumes are where children's productions can shine. Nancy Pipkin (75 productions in 18 years) is certainly up to the task. B Street Family Series: “Treasure Island,” “Box Car Children,” “Johnny Tremain”). “rightnexttome” an “Book of Liz” at B Street Mainstage. She has also worked at STC (“Art”, “Fully Committed” with Matt K. Miller) and Capitol stage including their latest “Mauritus.” Fun does not begin to describe the costumes in “Junie B. Jones. May gets a couple of great ones including her red and green christmas outfit and her stripped sweater that Junie B. stretches the sleeve across the stage. Not to forget Philip Johnny Bob the “stuffed elephant.”

Oops! 

All of the school tour shows and many of the B Street Family Stage productions are sold out. There is a good reason. This production is extremely well done and tons of fun. Children’s theatre is an excellent introduction into theatre. A lot of life’s lessons are packed into the production without any preaching. As for the adults, don’t worry you will be entertained too and not just from the enjoyment of seeing your children so entertained. At Sunday afternoon’s show the adults were laughing just as hard as the kids.

For kids ages 4 and up. Through December 26, 2010.
1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
B Street Theatre Family Series Stage, 2727 B St., Sacramento
Approximately 90 minutes, including intermission
$22 adults, $15 Children
443-5300, www.bstreettheatre.org
Special added performances: Fri 11/26 @ 11am and 1pm Tues 12/21 @ 1pm and 4pm Wed 12/22 1pm and 4pm Thur 12/23 1pm and 4pm Fri12/24 @ 11am and 2pm

Family Series Background
The B Street Theatre’s Family Series is one of only three fully professional, resident theaters for children in the state of California.  Operating under a Theatre for Young Audience agreement with Actors Equity Association, the Family Series’ mission is to introduce children to the wonder of professional theater through the production of original plays, and original adaptations of contemporary novels, and classic works of literature.  Since its premiere season in 2003, the Family Series has presented 27 professional plays for approximately 240,000 children and families of the Sacramento region.

Photo credit: Barry Wisdom