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Citadel sets February musical production of ‘Junie B. Jones’ for new Theatre for Young Audiences

January 22, 2019

LAKE FOREST, IL – Citadel Theatre Company, an Equity-affiliated professional company performing in Lake Forest, will stage the second production of its new Theatre for Young Audiences programming with JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL, a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical. It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

Citadel’s production of JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL will be directed by Gregg Dennhardt. The cast will include Jessica Surprenant (Junie B. Jones), Shea Lee (Lucille/Bobbie Jean Piper), Anna Segatti (Camille/Gladys Gutzman), Lily Cox (Chenille/Mommy), Eric Deutz (Herb), Brooke Haylee (May/Grace), Max Downs (Sheldon/Lennie/Bus Driver), Brian M. Kulaga (Mr. Scary/Daddy), Brooke MacDougal (Female Swing), Luke Polanczyk (Male Understudy). The production team will include Brenda Good (Choreographer), June Cathcart-Smith (Musical Director), Eric Luchen (Scenic Designer), David Knoell (Master Carpenter), Victoria Jablonski (Costume Designer), Samantha Thielman (Stage Manager), Sapier Weinglass (Properties Designer), Robert D. Estrin (Production Manager),  Robin M. Hughes, Metropolis Casting (Casting Director).

This hour-long musical, recommended for audiences ages 3 and up, will be performed twice daily, at 11 am and 2 pm, on the weekends of Saturday-Sunday February 9 and 10 and Saturday-Sunday February 16 and 17 at Gorton Community Center, 400 East Illinois Road in Lake Forest. Tickets are $15.00 for all seats. This is the second production of Citadel’s Theatre for Young Audiences inaugural season. The company launched their programming last fall with their production of ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S WE ARE IN A PLAY, which was also performed at the Gorton Community Center.

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL
Book and Lyrics by Marcie Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich
Directed by Gregg Dennhardt
June Cathcart-Smith, Musical Director
Brenda Good, Choreographer
Saturday, February 9 – Sunday, February 17, 2019
Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2 pm
Gorton Community Center, 400 E Illinois Rd. Lake Forest IL
(NOTE – This is NOT Citadel’s main venue at 300 S. Waukegan Rd.)
All seats $15.00
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1

Marcy Heisler (Lyricist/Author) and Zina Goldrich (Composer) have been collaborating together since 1993. They were the first women ever honored with the Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theatre Songwriting, and Heisler was honored with the 2012 Kleban Prize for Outstanding Lyrics. Current projects include EVER AFTER, (Alliance Theatre), JUNIE B’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL (Lucille Lortel, Off-Broadway), HOLLYWOOD ROMANCE (Scott Sanders Productions) and a musical adaptation of a Universal Studios romantic classic (Universal Stage Productions). In 2012, Goodspeed Opera House premiered THE GREAT AMERICAN MOUSICAL, based on the bestselling book by author/director Julie Andrews. In 2016, Goldrich and Heisler continued their collaboration with Andrews, contributing songs to her Netflix series JULIE’S GREEN ROOM. They earned 2009 Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Lyrics and Music for their musical DEAR EDWINA, a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Theatreworks USA’s JUNIE B. JONES (based on the popular children’s book) and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for their Kennedy Center production of SNOW WHITE ROSE RED (and FRED). They have provided original songs for The Disney Channel, Disney Interactive and Feature Animation projects, Disney Theatricals, PBS, Nickelodeon, and others. As performers, they have toured domestically and internationally with THE MARCY AND ZINA SHOW. November 2009 marked the release of MARCY AND ZINA: The Album on Yellow Sound Label. They are both active members of The Dramatists Guild and have served as contributing writers to Dramatist magazine.

Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for over 15 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances, its On Tour programs, and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to make a donation, please visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.

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