By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
Published: July 27, 2004


'Junie B. Jones'
Lucille Lortel Theater

For most children school's out; but class is happily, tunefully in session at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Greenwich Village, where Theatreworks USA is presenting a bright new addition to its formidable lineup of shows for youngsters and their families. And it's free, too.

Running through Aug. 20 in its world premiere, the latest lark is ''Junie B. Jones,'' based on a few of the popular series of short books by Barbara Park about the sassy, outspoken heroine of the title.

With book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich that beguiles with rock, rag, rhythm and blues and doo wop among other attractions, this typically bright, inventive production takes the intrepid Junie through a year in first grade.

Junie, brought to spirited life by Mary Faber, learns in the course of an intermissionless hour about shifting friendships, finds out in show-and-tell that needing eyeglasses won't lead to ostracism and learns the lesson about turning life's lemons into lemonade.

Under the spirited direction of Peter Flynn, Ms. Faber as Junie may be the center of attention, but she has plenty of talented help. Colorfully and humorously costumed by Lora LaVon, the five other cast members (Jill Abramovitz, Keara Hailey, Michael McCoy, Darius Nichols and Adam Overett)appear in a variety of roles that include Junie's parents; her teacher, Mr. Scary; Gladys Gutzman, the school cook who is the Queen of Snacksand an assortment of classmates.

As usual, this Theatreworks production boasts clever scenic design, in this case by Luke Hegel-Cantarella. A framing device, his very large version of the speckle-covered composition book familiar to generations of students, establishes the journal that Junie keeps to chronicle her first-grade adventures and, when open, becomes both Junie's classroom and her family kitchen.

Tickets for the limited free engagement of ''Junie B. Jones'' are available at the theater at 121 Christopher Street beginning an hour before curtain time on the day of performance. ''Junie B. Jones'' will also be presented next April during the regular Theatreworks season, in the auditorium of the Equitable Tower, at 787 Seventh Avenue in Midtown.

Anytime, it's fun. LAWRENCE VAN GELDER

Return to the Press Section