Students perform classic Junie B. Jones play last week

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Last Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. the W.M. Turner Auditorium on campus was sold out to over 800 elementary school parents, teachers and students from first through fourth grade. Why such a craze? The College of Fine Arts & Children's Performing Arts Series put on a production of "Junie B. Jones." A story based on the book series by Barbara Park about a rambunctious first grade girl who writes down all of her first grade adventures in her journal titled, "Top Secret Personal Beeswax." The opening number also titled, "Top Secret Personal Beeswax," was perfect for getting the attention of such a young audience. Abby Leigh Rose couldn't have been more suitable for her role as Junie B. Jones. She adapted well to playing the role of an outgoing and sometimes dramatic first grader. All of the cast members had their lines down and were able to focus in on the characters they were playing. The majority of the cast played more than one role and did so that a person really couldn't tell they were the same. The play covered scenes beginning with Junie B.'s fear of the first day to the disappointment of not getting to be the star in the first grade kickball game. The story of Junie B. Jones is great for children, and teaches them that not everything will go their way, but that a different way could turn out for the better. Throughout the play the songs were kept simple and very catchy. There was multiple times where the children clapped along to the songs. Each song was up beat and made you want to dance along in your seat. The closing number was the same as the opening and by that time all the kids were singing along. When I asked Mason Prince, of Molly Hargis's first grade class at Fredonia Hill Baptist Academy, what his favorite part of the play was he said, "Driving the bus." In that particular scene, Junie B. Jones made a new friend Herb. The students on the bus began singing and the bus driver joined in making the students stop. Mason along with Bret, also part of Mrs. Hargis's first grade class, said their favorite characters were the guys dressed as girls. On Junie B.'s first day of school her former best friend Lucille made new best friends with two girls Camille and Chanille, also known as "the guys dressed as girls." The guys did well playing the role of two loud preppy girls, and got a laugh from the audience each time they came onto stage. Molly Hargis enjoyed the show just as much as the children. "We decided to go to Junie B. Jones because we have been reading the books in class. I thought the cast did a great job portraying the characters in the book. I know the students and I enjoyed the play," Hargis said. She said the children were really excited to take the trip to see the books brought to life. As everyone cleared the auditorium the song "Top Secret Personal Beeswax" filled the hall from students and teachers. I have to admit I was humming right along with them. If you ever get the chance to see the College of Fine Arts & Children's Performing Arts Series perform, take your little brother or sister to see them. You will enjoy being there while they have fun watching and singing along to something other than television. pinelog@thepinelog.com