B Street Announces 7th Family Series Season

The B Street Theatre is pleased to announce its seventh season of plays for young audiences.
Northern California's only resident, professional theater for young audiences, the B Street Theatre Family Series will present four titles over the course of the traditional academic school year.

Each production will be performed 12 times per week for six weeks. The plays will be staged for school field trips at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday throughout the run of each show. Performances for the general public take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays.

Season subscriptions for the four-show Family Series start at $45 for children and $65 for adults. Subscriptions are available on-line at www.bstreettheatre.org or through the B Street Theatre box office at (916) 443-5300. All performances are held at the B Street Theatre, 2711 B Street in Sacramento's Midtown neighborhood.

The Plays

JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS!

Adapted by Allison Gregory from the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Parks. November 20-December 26, 2010.

Junie B. is back at B Street! Junie's funny and frantic efforts to create a perfect holiday celebration are met with willful mischief by her nemesis: Tattletale May. A delightful tale for children ages 4 and older.

A playwright of national acclaim, Allison Gregory is no stranger to B Street. Two years ago her adaptation of Dr. Suess's Go Dog Go! was produced as part of the Family Series. Ms. Gregory is the wife of prize- winning playwright Steven Dietz whose plays, Private Eyes, Still Life With Iris and Becky's New Car have all been produced at B Street.

Junie B. Jones will feature B Street acting intern Brittnie Barger in the role of Junie, Stephanie Altholz as Tattletale May. B Street Acting Company members John Lamb and David Pierini will also appear. B Street company member Michael Stevenson directs. Original music by Noah Agruss.

THE YOUNG ABE LINCOLN, a world premiere.

By Jerry R. Montoya

January 22, 2011-February 27, 2011.

The adventures and trials that shaped a backwoods Illinois boy into a man, and the most beloved President of the United States. A play for children ages 6 and older.
This latest offering from Family Series favorite and Associate Producer, Jerry R. Montoya, marks his 7th World Premier for young audiences. His previously produced Family Series plays are Treasure Island, A Secret Garden, Swiss Family Robinson, Rumpelstiltskin, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and last season's hit The Conductor: Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Director and cast are yet to be set.

CINDERELLA, a world premiere.

By Buck Busfield

March 12, 2011-April 17, 2011.
The classic tale of love, wickedness and sibling rivalry explodes on the B Street stage in this antic, musical romp. A comedy for children ages 4 and older.
Reincarnated in countless films, cartoons, and plays, Cinderella finally makes her appearance on the Family Series stage. This time she is armed with vocal pipes, and she'll use them to heartbreaking and delightful effect.
Directed by Buck Busfield. Music and lyrics by Noah Agruss.

EXTRAORDINARY THINGS: THROUGH THE EYES OF Anne Frank

By Dana Friedman

April 30, 2011-June 5, 2011.
A young girl's view of the world cannot be shaken...even by its cruelest acts. A drama of life, love and courage for children ages 7 and older.
Little did one know that in the darkest hours of World War II, hiding in an attic, was a teenage girl of extraordinary insight and courage who would become one of the most famous chroniclers of the human spirit.

Dana Friedman (stage name Brooke) is a former B Street Theater acting intern and popular member of its Acting Company. Extraordinary Things marks Ms. Friedman's debut as a playwright.

Stephanie Altholz will appear in the role of Anne Frank. Buck Busfield directs.

THE FAMILY SERIES-BACKGROUND.
The B Street Theatre's Family Series was created in 2002 to bring the experience of live, professional theater to families of the Sacramento region. Before the creation of the Family Series, the B Street Theatre served the community through its Mainstage Series and the long-standing School Tour program. The Family Series brings parent and child together to share the thrill that is professional theater.

One of only three resident, professional theaters for children in California (South Coast Repertory and MainStreet Theatre in Rancho Cucamonga), the Family Series met with instant success upon opening. In its 6-season history, the Family Series has produced 27 plays for an estimated 150,000 children, teachers and parents.

Now a favorite among area parents and educators, the Family Series sells out many student matinee field trip performances prior to season opening. These sold out performances cause B Street to turn away thousands of area school children each year who are seeking to attend a student matinee performances.

To satisfy growing demand by area schools, families and children, the B Street Theatre is building a new, two-theatre complex on Capitol Avenue at 27th Street in Sacramento's Midtown neighborhood. More information at www.bstreettheatre.org/next-stage.

 

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