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Childsplay Theatre Opens Season with Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook

World Premier, Showing Weekends, Sept 11-Oct 16

August 24, 2016

Childsplay Theatre opens 2016-17 Season with World-Premiere Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook
Weekends, Sept. 11 – Oct. 16

Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway



As kids across The Valley are settling into their new classrooms, Childsplay is busy creating a classroom of its own! The world-premiere production of Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook will open the company’s 40th season at Tempe Center for the Arts.

Based on Barbara Park’s bestselling books, Junie B. Jones is back on stage at Childsplay in a brand new adventure. This time, something terrible has happened! And it's called—someone took Junie B.’s new black furry mittens! And they kept them! So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers. And guess what? There's a new boy in kindergarten!

So why does he think Junie B. is a nutball?! With the help of her friends and a whole lot of laughter, Junie B. learns important lessons about being yourself and doing the right thing.

Performances of Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook will be held at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, September 11 through October 16, 2016, Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $12 and are on sale now at www.childsplayaz.org or at the Tempe Center for the Arts Box Office (480) 350-2822 (ext. 2).  The play is recommended for ages 5 and up.

The 4 p.m. performance on Sunday, September 11 is a special $12 Storybook Preview performance, sponsored by The Steele Foundation. Each family that attends this General Admission preview performance will receive a free book. The ASL performance is on Sunday, October 9th at 1pm.

Childsplay has brought the beloved characters from the Junie B. Jones book series to life numerous times in the past—often breaking box office records for the company. This new adaptation, combining the books Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook and Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren, promises to bring back all of the elements that make families fall in love with Junie B. Jones.

“As with any of the Junie B. stories that Barbara Park has given us, we will get a fun romp through Junie’s world in this new adaptation,” said Director Debra K. Stevens. “I think families like her because there is a Junie B. in every family who needs the love, support, and guidance from the adults in her world. I think we can connect to her dilemmas:  we feel her joy and frustration, her struggle to make good choices, her sense of friendship, and we see her heart on her sleeve. There is something about watching Junie B. negotiate her world that we recognize and that endears her to us.”

The Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook cast features Kate Haas as Junie B. Jones, Racquel McKenzie as Grace/Fluffy Pink Girl, Jamie Sandomire as Lucille/Grouchy Typing Lady, Debra K. Stevens as Mrs./Mother/Parrot, Tommy Strawser as Meanie Jim/Mitten Crook/Grandpa M., Vinny Chavez as Handsome Warren/Live Fireman and Rudy Ramirez as Ricardo/Principal/Lucille’s Grandpa. The show is Directed by Debra K. Stevens.

Assistant Director: Jenny Millinger
Scenic Design:  Aaron Jackson
Costume Design:  Adriana Diaz
Lighting Design:  Jennifer Setlow
Sound Design:  Chris Neumeyer
Stage Manager:  Sarah Chanis

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook was adapted for the stage by Allison Gregory. Childsplay’s production of Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook is sponsored by APS.



The remaining 2016 shows in Childsplay’s 40th Season are now on sale to the general public as well:

ROCK THE PRESIDENTS
Book and Lyrics by Dwayne Hartford, Music by Sarah Roberts
Weekends, October 22 – November 13, 2016
Recommended for Ages 7+
$12 STORYBOOK PREVIEW PERFORMANCE:  Saturday, October 22 @ 1pm
ASL PERFORMANCE:  Sunday, November 6, 2016 @ 1pm
Are you ready to rock out with Millard Fillmore? Just in time for the election, Childsplay’s original high-octane rock and pop musical tribute to the 44 presidents of the United States is back by popular demand! With rock concert music, and a super fun history lesson, this non-partisan musical explores what it really takes to be our nation’s president. You’ll be clapping and cheering as you ponder the question, “Are you are president-to-be?”

A VERY HAIRY JAVELINA HOLIDAY
Book and lyrics by Jenny Millinger, Music by Todd Hulet, Adapted from the book “A Very Hair Christmas” by Susan Lowell
Weekends, November 19 – December 24, 2016
Recommended for Ages 5+
$12 STORYBOOK PREVIEW PERFORMANCE:  Saturday, November 19 @ 1pm
ASL PERFORMANCE:  Sunday, December 11, 2016 @ 1pm
It’s Christmastime and the three little javelinas are full of holiday cheer! Inside their cozy home, they bake gingerbread cookies, string lights and set their boots out for Santa. But when Cousin Angelina plans a holiday surprise, they get more than they bargained for, including one very tricky coyote! Will these bristly creatures get away by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chins this time? Will Josephina finally get to dance in The Nutcracker?  This new musical from the team that brought you The Three Javelinas is sure to become a holiday classic!