BIG KID NIGHT Set for December 9 at Nashville Children's Theatre

Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT) will be revamped-for one night only-for the 21 and up crowd on the  evening of Friday, December 9, when the theater holds Big Kid Night, "because kids shouldn't have all the  fun," featuring a performance of Junie B. In Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, starring Brooke Bryant as the irrepressible first grader Junie B. Jones.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m., when beer from local brewery Yazoo Brewing Company is served along with light appetizers from Bacon and Caviar Gourmet Catering. At 6:30 p.m. the curtain goes up on NCT's production of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!

In a "never before done at NCT" event, a walk-on role to appear in the play will be auctioned off prior to the event. The online auction is currently open, and the auction winner gets to be involved in the onstage story. (Auction link: https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?documentId=145959203)

Proceeds from Big Kid Night support NCT's belief that a cultural heritage is the right of all children, and its commitment to serving the youth of Middle Tennessee regardless of physical, developmental or financial challenges.

Based on the series of Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! brings the saucy first grader to NCT with all of her holiday excitement. Young Junie B. is raring to go and can barely contain herself over the upcoming holiday festivities. However, her glee turns sour when she draws tattletale May's name for Secret Santa!

Brook Bryant, in the role of Junie B., leads the experienced cast, which also includes Cori Anne Laemmel, Rona Carter, Shawn Knight, Bobby Wyckoff, Patrick Waller and Jeff Boyet.

In his directorial debut at NCT, Peter Vann directs the production. Set and lighting design is by Scott Leathers and costume design is by Patricia Taber. Sound design is by Dan Brewer.

Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! is written by Allison Gregory, adapted from the books by Barbara Park. For more information, go to www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org or call (615) 254-9103. 

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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