Here Comes RTC’s ‘Junie B. Jones Jr.’
By Dan Guarino
The Rockaway Theatre Company’s stage will be bursting with energy and enthusiasm as some 30-plus young performers sing, act and dance their way through “Junie B. Jones-The Musical Jr.,” opening on Friday, February 2. The show runs for six performances at RTC’s newly named John Gilleece Theatre at Fort Tilden.
A production of RTC’s YoungStars’ Musical Theatre Workshop, “Junie B. Jones Jr.” is based on the children’s book series by author Barbara Park and illustrator Denise Brunkus. Published between 1992 to 2013, they center on the “almost six-year-old” title character’s adventures in kindergarten and first grade. They were adapted as a musical based on four of the books, with story by Marcy Heisler, music by Zina Goldrich and lyrics by Marcy Heisler. First produced as a free theatre offering for younger audiences by TheatreWorks USA in 2004, this not-just-for-kids’ show “is fun for the entire family,” StageAgent.com notes, “and highlights the timeless themes of friendship, acceptance, and humility.”
Co-directing with Susan Warren Corning, Adele Wendt explains RTC’s “Junie B. Jones Jr.,” “follows the titular Junie B. as she documents her first-grade adventures in her new journal.”
Corning says, “A very good theater friend of mine turned me onto ‘Junie B. Jones.’ After I listened to the soundtrack, I fell in love with the music and the storyline. After the team had researched it also, we all knew it was a perfect fit for our YoungStars.”
“We both felt that it was absolutely adorable,” Wendt adds. “Plus, it’s nice to have a connected book series for the kids to read at home with their parents!”
RTC’s cast includes 34 young actors ages 7-12. Playing Junie B. Jones is Jordan Greenberg, 11, who has been a workshop member since 2021. Watching the group rehearse, it is hard to miss the energy and excitement they will be bringing to the stage. After running through the same vocal warm-ups as their adult Rockaway Theatre mainstage colleagues, their combined voices blend into a collective swell of musical magic. The young performers weave in multiple solos, group spots and even backing vocal parts like pros, often in the same number, such as “Lucille, Camille, Chenille.”
“Junie B. Jones Jr.” contains many similar standouts. Wendt says, “I genuinely love all of the music in this show. All of the songs are really cute. But I think if I had to pick a favorite, I’d pick ‘Writing Down the Story of My Life’ (the show’s finale). I also love ‘Show and Tell’ as well.” Other numbers include “Top Secret Personal Beeswax,” “You Can Be My Friend” and “Lunch Box.”
“We’ve been rehearsing every Saturday since September,” she notes, “with one or two weeknight rehearsals here and there. This cast has been so energetic and excited to be here, and it is a pleasure working with them every week. We have a truly talented cast and crew here…and we cannot wait for people to see the product of their hard work.”
She and Corning agree that they have “literally a dream team” working with them to fully bring “Junie B. Jones Jr.” to life. That includes choreographer Erech Holder-Hetmeyer, musical directors Jodee Timpone and Richard Louis-Pierre, and a seasoned stage crew of RTC teens, many of whom just finished appearing in the theatre’s hit production of “Mean Girls Jr.”
“Everyone works like a well-oiled machine, and it’s truly a blessing to collaborate with this crew,” Wendt said. Indeed, their own ‘happy to be there’ enthusiasm shines through as they impromptu join in on some of the dancing and cast warm-ups.
Both Corning and Wendt themselves have long been steeped in theatre. Corning has been theatrically involved since age 6, when her parents were active in community theater in Michigan. Going from high school drama to college, she joined RTC in 2006. Besides directing numerous RTC younger actor productions, she is a talented singer, dancer and actor, starring in last spring’s comedy “Regrets Only” and directing RTC’s super sold-out production of “Hello Dolly” this past summer.
Wendt’s path to the stage started in middle school at Poly Prep’s theater day camp in Brooklyn. From there, she expanded to other Brooklyn-area theater companies. “I didn’t find RTC until I was in college when I interned under director Frank Caiati’s production of “The Toxic Avenger” in 2016. She has worked on a number of RTC shows both on stage and off, since then while starring in such productions as “What The Rabbi Saw” and “Cabaret.” “I wish I’d known about the RTC workshop when I was little!” she says.
The RTC’ Young People’s Workshop, which puts on two full productions a year, complete with sets, moving set pieces, costumes and props, “is a program designed to give kids an avenue to express themselves creatively,” Wendt explains. “We teach them the skills they need to become great performers, but more importantly how to work together as a team.” Many young actors who started in the workshops have gone on to RTC’s full stage productions and other roles. Several of those now in the “Junie B. Jones Jr.” cast most recently appeared in RTC’s outstanding production of “The Miracle Worker.”
Audiences coming to see and hear this talented cast might also be catching some future stars in the making.
“I hope everyone can join us and step into the world of Junie B. Jones. It’s a wonderful 90 minutes of a delightful theatrical experience,” Corning says.
“This is going to be a truly fabulous show for the whole family!” Wendt adds. “Our cast of talented YoungStars have been working very hard for months to make this production the best that it can be, and we hope that people will come and support them!”
For tickets go to www.Rockawaytheatrecompany.org. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays, February 2 and 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Sundays February 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. All seats are $10.
Photos by Dan Guarino.
