The past two years have been hard on performance groups who are used to being on stage entertaining people.
Halifax County Little Theatre is one of those groups.
While they were able to perform other places presenting a few shows, they still missed the stage at The Prizery
So now HCLT is excited to be in production for a February opening of “Junie B. Jones the Musical JR.,” directed by the sister duo of Elisabeth Brogden and Sarah Brogden, with musical direction by Josh Glasscock and choreography by Deion Muse.
Set to run Feb. 18-27 for six performances, the show concerns the life of Junie B Jones as she enters first grade. She expects to have the same best friend that she had in kindergarten, Lucille, but Lucille decides that she wants to make new first-grade friends, so Junie B is left to figure out who her new friends can be. Such is the life of first graders throughout America today.
Participating in the show are youth from Halifax County, Danville, and Mecklenburg County. Some of the cast are young people who were going to be in The Prizery’s production of “Junie B. Jones” in March of 2020 before the pandemic interrupted the production.
The Prizery opted not to pick the show up again, since its director, Chris Jones, retired during the past year, so HCLT decided to produce the show and see who still wanted to be a part of the cast again and who new wanted to be involved.
The end result is 40 young people who are excited to perform again.
Both Brogden sisters know about performing as young people themselves, as Elisabeth first performed in HCLT’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” when she was in the sixth grade, and Sarah’s first show was “Children of Eden,” that Elisabeth was also in.
The sisters, who are three years apart, continued performing with HCLT, and then both became involved in theater at Halifax County High School, performing annually there in main stage productions and the one-act play competitions. Both sisters also are graduates of Averett University where they were involved in theater there.
Elisabeth graduated with a degree in elementary education and is employed at Schoolfield Elementary School in Danville, while Sarah obtained a degree in theatre education, and is currently employed at Halifax County Middle School.
Their love of theatre is obvious, and both are enjoying working with their young cast members. Choreographer Muse was also working with The Prizery’s production two years ago, so he is enjoying bringing the show to fruition. A dance instructor, Muse creates dance videos to help the children be able to rehearse at home in their spare time — or maybe on snow days — so they can be fully prepared for the show opening.
Those who attended HCLT’s Laughter, Lyrics & Libations at Berry Hill last summer will remember the performances of Muse on stage.
Musical director Glasscock has been active with the Clarksville Community Players for years, and he and Elisabeth met several years ago when they both had major roles in Clarksville’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” He is currently on the board of directors for the Clarksville group.
Make plans to attend HCLT’s first production on The Prizery stage in two years when “Junie B” opens next month. The cast members are having an enjoyable time preparing for the performances, learning the music, the dances, the lines, and blocking. It’s a fun show for people of all ages, since most everyone remembers what it was like to be in elementary school and find that right group of friends.
“We are so happy to have everyone in the building working hard to bring this production to life,” the Brogden sisters commented. “This cast is very dedicated to putting this show on stage for our community to enjoy.”
Junie B. Jones The Musical, Jr. opens March 18, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. and will run through Sunday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at prizery.org. Evening shows will be at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.. Adults tickets are $20 and student tickets are $15.