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Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells!

Win a family 4 pack of tickets to see Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells!

December 15, 2014
Childsplay brings back its holiday favorite Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! November 22 – December 28, 2014 Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway (Tempe, Ariz.)

Everyone’s favorite first grader returns to Tempe Center for the Arts this holiday season as Childsplay brings back its holiday hit Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! The kids in Room One are gearing up for a celebration. But when Junie B. draws tattletale May’s name for the Secret Santa giveaway she hatches a plan to leave her nemesis with a stinky old lump of coal. Based on Barbara Park’s bestselling books, the hilarious Junie B. and her holiday hijinks will leave kids laughing for days.

While this show has become a favorite for many Valley families in years past, Childsplay is excited to announce a new group of actors that will be bringing a fresh personality to the characters in Room One.

Written by Allison Gregory and adapted from the book by Barbara Park, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! features Childsplay favorite Kate Haas in the role of the feisty Junie B. Jones. Another Childsplay favorite, Kaleena Newman, takes on the role of her nemesis tattletale, May. The all-star cast is rounded out with John Gentry as Grampa/Mr. Toot, Yolanda London as Lucille, Dwayne Hartford as Mr. Scary, Thomas Strawser as Sheldon, Tyler Eglen as Herb/Phillip and Carlos A. Lara as José. Childsplay’s Founder and Artistic Director, David Saar is directing.

Performances of Junie B. will be held at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway from November 22 – December 28, Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Special holiday performances will also be held on Tuesday, December 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Wednesday, December 24 at 2 p.m.

Single tickets start at $15 and are on sale now at www.childsplayaz.org or at the Tempe Center for the Arts Box Office (480) 350-2822 (ext. 0). This play is recommended for ages 5 and up.

The production will feature 2 discounted, general admission performances: Saturday, November 22 at 4 p.m. is a $12 Preview Performance. Sunday, November 23 at 4 p.m. is a special $12 Storybook Preview performance, sponsored by The Steele Foundation. Each family that attends this Storybook Preview performance will receive a free children’s book.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENT: Junie B. Jones Holiday Extravaganza!

Join us as we party like a first grader at a Junie B. Jones Holiday Event! Come make your own ornament, design your own wrapping paper, decorate a cookie, play some theatre games, answer some Junie B. trivia for prizes and enjoy a visit from some of the Junie B. characters! Finish the day with a VIP performance of Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells!

When: Sunday, December 7, 2014 Time: Starting at 2 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts Lakeside Room Tickets: $40 at www.childsplayaz.org or 480-921-5761

For interviews or media appearances, please contact Samantha Johnstone at (480) 921-5703 or sjohnstone@childsplayaz.org. High resolution images are available from Childsplay’s website, www.childsplayaz.org/press. About Childsplay: Childsplay, Inc. is a nonprofit theatre company of professional, adult artists who perform for and teach young audiences and their families. The mission of Childsplay is "to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both, that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, the hallmarks of childhood which are keys to the future." For more information, visit www.childsplayaz.org.


Like Childsplay on Facebook and comment below for your chance to win a family 4 pack of tickets to ANY show this season!  This contest ends 12/12 at 11:59 and the winner will be announced in the next newsletter.