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.
