Children’s Theatre Celebrates With Junie B. and The Velveteen Rabbit

This December, Children's Theatre of Charlotte presents two productions sure to make the season bright. Everyone's favorite first grader Junie B. Jones puts her own unique spin on the holidays in "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!," recommended for ages 5 and up (December 2-22, McColl Family Theatre). For audiences of ages 3 and up, the Tarradiddle Players perform beloved classic "The Velveteen Rabbit" (December 9-30, Wells Fargo Playhouse).

Junie B. In Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!

First grader Junie B. Jones has mixed emotions about the holidays. She couldn't be more excited about her school's holiday gift shop and the Squeeze-a-Burp toy she hopes to receive, but she's worried her tattletale classmate May will ruin the Holiday Sing-Along.
When Junie B. draws May's name for Secret Santa, she hatches a plan to give her nemesis a lump of coal while snagging the Squeeze-a-Burp toy for herself. It takes a last-minute change of heart to teach Junie the importance of giving and reveal her true holiday spirit. With laughs to spare, this entertaining show based on Barbara Park's series is a refreshing, new story for the season.
The production is directed by Ron Chisholm, with a cast of professional actors including Caroline Rigby as Junie B., as well as Casi Harris, Drina Keen, Josh Looney, Mandy Moss, Kendall Payne, Daniel O'Sullivan and Jeremy Shane.
The run of "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" includes special weekday performances just before the holidays on December 21 and 22. Performance times and dates are:
Friday, December 2 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 3 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 4 2:00 pm
Friday, December 9 7:30 pm (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, December 10 11:00 am
Saturday, December 10 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 11 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 17 11:00 am
Saturday, December 17 2:00 pm (Signed language performance)
Sunday, December 18 2:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21 2:00 pm
Thursday, December 22 2:00 pm

The Velveteen Rabbit

Adapted from the classic book by Margery Williams, this poignant story has charmed generations of families and continues to be loved by audiences today.
All the other toys in the nursery snub the Velveteen Rabbit for being boring, old-fashioned and stuffed with sawdust. But when the Boy discovers the little rabbit under his tree on Christmas morning, they become instant friends. As their friendship grows, the Velveteen Rabbit learns what it means to be truly loved - and the smiles and tears that come from being "real".
"The Velveteen Rabbit" is directed by Steven Ivey and stars the 2011-2012 Tarradiddle Players company Leslie Ann Giles, Nick Kern, Darlene Parker and Stephen Seay, along with special guest Caleb Sigmon. Meet the Tarradiddle Players and hear stories from the road at an audience talkback following the opening night performance on December 9.

The production's run includes special weekday performances just before the holidays on December 21, 22 and 23, as well as during school vacation week on December 29 and 30. Performance times and dates are:
Friday, December 9 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 10 11:00 am (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, December 10 1:00 pm (Signed language performance)
Sunday, December 11 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 17 11:00 am
Saturday, December 17 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 2:00 pm
Wednesday, December 21 11:00 am
Thursday, December 22 11:00 am
Friday, December 23 11:00 am
Thursday, December 29 11:00 am
Friday, December 30 11:00 am

"Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!" is recommended for ages 5 and up, and performances will be held in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street. Front Orchestra tickets are $24.00; General Section tickets are $18.00. "The Velveteen Rabbit" is recommended for ages 3 and up, and performances will be held in the Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn. Front Orchestra tickets are $18.00; General Section tickets are $14.00. For tickets to the productions, call The Children's Theatre Customer Sales & Service Center at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website: www.ctcharlotte.org.

Children's Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.