Maryland Ensemble Theatre Presents JUNIE B. JONES: JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS, Now thru 12/29

Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) family theatre, The Fun Company, is back for the holidays with everyone's favorite first-grader the famously feisty and irrepressible Junie B. Jones. With plenty of laughs and life lessons Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family.

In Jingle Bells, Batman Smells our heroine, Junie B. Jones, must play Secret Santa to her least favorite classmate, Tattletale May. Will Junie B. give May exactly what she thinks she deserves or will the holiday spirit force a change of heart? Will the Holiday Sing-Along go as planned? It's all part of the festive adventure in Room One that is Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.

Junie B. Jones has been entertaining kids since she was first introduced by author Barbara Park in 1992. Dozens of books have followed and Junie B. Jones has become one of the most beloved characters in children's literature. The author, Barbara Park, has won seven Children's Choice Awards, and four Parents' Choice Awards. She has also written many middle grade novels, such as The Kid in the Red Jacket. The show was adapted from the book for the stage by award winning playwright Allison Gregory. The Fun Company's previous show Go, Dog. Go!, also a successful children's book, was also adapted by Gregory along with Steven Dietz.

The show's talented cast includes Tori Weaver, Reiner Prochaska, Matt Lee, Thom Huenger, Katie Rattigan, Giovanni Kavota and Emily Cucchi as the title character, Junie B. Jones. The show will be directed by The Fun Company's Artistic Director Julie Herber who will be assisted by a design team which includes Doug Grove (lights), Geoff Huntoon (sound), and JoAnn Lee (set), while Herber herself will design the costumes. "The book has a huge following and we think the fans of Junie B. are going to be delighted to see her brought to life in such a fun production", said Herber. "Junie B. and her friends are quite lovable, if at times exasperating to their teacher, Mr. Scary. As they say, the holidays bring out the best and sometimes the worst in people. This makes for an humorous time in the classroom, and for the audiences."

All performances of Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells are at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. The show runs every Saturday from today, November 30 through December 29 at 2pm and on Sundays, December 1, 8, 29 at 2pm. Tickets are $12 (plus a $1.50 service fee), and may be purchased by phone at (301) 694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org or in person at the MET box office.

Now in its eighteenth season, The Fun Company seeks to provide high quality, affordable theatre for the whole family that is both educational and entertaining by presenting a yearly Family Theatre Series, an In School Productions outreach program and Fun Camp. The Fun Company's upcoming shows include The Commedia Princess and the Pea and the World Premiere of The Star Stealer.

Photo credit: JoAnn Lee