MARC ROBIN EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC PRODUCER
PRESENTS THE FULTON THEATRE PRODUCTION OF
BOOK AND LYRICS BY MARCY HEISLER
MUSIC BY ZINA GOLDRICH
ADAPTED FROM THE JUNIE B. JONES SERIES OF BOOKS BY BARBARA PARK
VICTORIA LAYSER COSTUME DESIGNER
JASON BURGESS VIDEO DESIGNER
SAM GROISSER MUSIC DIRECTOR
GRIFFIN ALLEN LIGHTING DESIGNER
MEG VALENTINE PROPS DESIGNER
PRESTON CUER* PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
LYDIA SELMAN SOUND DESIGNER
ANTHONY LASCOSKIE, JR WIG DESIGNER
DEB BIELEK ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
JOEY ABRAMOWICZ CASTING ASSOCIATE
CHARLIE BENSINGER • ASHLEY CALDERON • MELISSA FARACI • JOSHUA WILLIAM GREEN*
ETHAN REIMEL • KATIE SINA*
DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY STEPHJO WISE
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. WITH
APRIL 27 – MAY 18, 2024
Adapted from the books JUNIE B. JONES IS A GRADUATION GIRL, JUNIE B. JONES FIRST GRADER AT LAST!, JUNIE B. FIRST GRADER BOSS OF LUNCH, JUNIE B. FIRST GRADER TOOTHLESS WONDER and TOP SECRET PERSONAL BEESWAX, A JOURNAL BY JUNIE B. (AND ME) by Barbara Park. Copyright© 2001, 2001, 2002, 2002, 2003 by Barbara Park. For more about the Junie B. Jones books, visit www.juniebjones.com or a bookstore near you!”
SERIES SPONSORS:
“Originally produced by Theatreworks/USA
CREATIVE PARTNER: PRINT PARTNER:
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Herb/Chenille..........................................................................Charlie Bensinger
Junie B. Jones...........................................................................Ashley Calderon
Jose/ Lucille/Bobbi Jean...............................................................Melissa Faraci
Mr. Scary/ Daddy/ Mrs. Gutzman....................................Joshua William Green*
Sheldon/CamilleLennie..................................................................Ethan Reimel
Mother/May/ Grace.............................................................................Katie Sina*
MUSICAL NUMBERS
“Top Secret Personal Beeswax”
“Lucille, Camille, Chenille”
“You Can Be My Friend”
“Time to Make a Drawing”
“You Need Glasses”
“Now I See”
“Lunch Box”
“Gladys Gutzman”
“Beeswax Cookie Reprise”
“Kickball Tournament”
“Sheldon Potts’ Haltime Show”
“When Life Gives You Lemons”
“Kickball Tournament - Reprise”
“Writing Down the Story of My Life”
CREW
Assistant Stage Manager...........................................................................Deb Bielek
Dresser..............................................................................................Annelise Deppen
Deck Crew.........................................................................................Sandy McInerney
Crew Chief ...............................................................................................Dana Landis
Audio Mixer.............................................................................................Lydia Selman
Light Board Operator...........................................................................Ashleigh Shaw
Automation Operator...................................................................................Sam Sims
CHARLIE BENSINGER (Herb/Chenille) Charlie Bensinger is so excited and grateful to be returning to the Fulton Theatre! Over the past year, you may have seen Charlie in the Fulton’s productions of Titanic, Sleeping Beauty, and Joseph. He is a recent graduate of Temple University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Special thanks to Marc, Joey, and all of his incredible family and friends for the endless love and support!
ASHLEY CALDERON (Junie B. Jones) Ashley is excited to be back at the Fulton in a musical based on her favorite childhood book! Fulton Credits: In the Heights and the Holiday Cabaret. Other Credits: The Science of Stuff (Aria Marx/Gretna); Off the Yellow Brick Road (Dorothy Understudy/Prima); and The Prom (Emma/EPAC). She will be returning to the Fulton in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this summer!! She wants to thank her mother, family, and friends for always supporting her in everything she does! Insta: @_ashleycalderon
MELISSA FARACI (Jose/Lucille/Bobbi Jean) Armed with a degree in musical theater from Shenandoah University, Mel has been fortunate to perform around the world by land and by sea. Fulton credits: 9 to 5, ...Key West, In the Heights, Addams Family and more. Thanks as always to her husband Kevin, her little love Lucy, to Marc and Joey for the opportunities, and to this beautiful community of artistic goofballs here in Lancaster who adamantly support live theatre!
JOSHUA WILLIAM GREEN* (Mr. Scary/Daddy/Mrs. Gutzman) His last appearance on the Fulton stage was as Booker T. Washington in Ragtime: In Concert in July 2023. Since moving to Lancaster from Manhattan in 2021, Joshua has become very involved in the local theatre community as a performer, director, and choreographer. Notable credits include the Ragtime National Tour 2016, Finding Neverland National Tour 2018, The 2018 Grammy Awards (Sam Smith BGV), and America’s Got Talent season 16 competitor.
ETHAN REIMEL (Sheldon/Camille/Lennie) Ethan is thrilled to return to the Fulton stage for Junie B. Jones! He was most recently seen in the ensemble of 9 to 5 here at the Fulton. Other credits include Ragtime: In Concert (Fulton), Nick in The Prom (EPAC), and Jesus Christ Superstar (EPAC). Ethan is also a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He would like to thank his friends and family for their unending love and support!
KATIE SINA* (Mother/May/Grace) Joyous to be a part of Junie B! Fulton Family series’ roles include: Ruby (Sleeping Beauty), Evil Queen (Snow White), Guardian (Rapunzel), Christmas Carol. Fulton Mainstage: Violet (9 to 5), Elsa (The Sound of Music), Helen (Fun Home), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Truly Scrumptious (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!) & more. She thanks Steph Jo, Joey, Marc & Fulton Theatre for this opportunity to play. Love to Andy. She dedicates this to her favorite first & third grader, the greatest kids- A & C.
JOEY ABRAMOWICZ (Casting Associate) Joey is in his 6th season as the Fulton’s Associate Casting Director. He also contracts the actors, directors and choreographers for all Fulton productions! Joey works alongside Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin to cast actors from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Lancaster, and beyond. Joey is a frequent Fulton performer, and has directed some of the Eichmann Family Series shows including Sherlock Holmes and A Christmas Carol, and Sleeping Beauty. Love always to Jeff, Jackson and Piper! @joeytumble
GRIFFIN ALLEN (Lighting Designer) is grateful to be starting his second season here at the Fulton. Griffin’s previous designs here include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Shear Madness, and Ragtime. Over the years, he’s had the opportunity to work in five states spanning over 2,500 miles including multiple seasons at the Lexington Theatre Company and Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Thanks to everyone here at the Fulton, his family, his fiancee Kennedy, and their dogs Ripley and Whiskey for their continued support.
DEB BIELEK (Assistant Stage Manager) is so happy to be back at my home away from home. 1972 was my first year working at the Fulton, I retired in 2023 and now I am back working crew for this show. I have done just about every job at this theater, mostly running spotlight in my favorite place, the spot loft! Favorite shows include The Music Man, In the Heights, Ghost, Brigadoon, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, and Footloose. Thank you to everyone who has gone on this amazing adventure with me!
JASON BURGESS (Video Designer) Jason Burgess is skilled sculptor currently residing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jason’s sculptures have been showcased in numerous exhibitions and galleries nationally and internationally. Jason’s notable connections to the Lancaster arts community is his collaboration with the historic Fulton Opera House. His passion to visually tell a story has been a part of the Fulton’s cultural significance since 2017. This season’s Sleeping Beauty was Mr. Burgess’s debut as Set Designer.
PRESTON CUER* (Production Stage Manager) has been at the Fulton for the past 7 years. Past Fulton Credits: Stage Manager (TYA): Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, Rapunzel, A Christmas Carol, Sleeping Beauty. Fight Choreographer: Man of La Mancha (Stage Combat Consultant), Kinky Boots (Fight Director), Treasure Island (Assistant Fight Captain). Actor: Treasure Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Disney’s Newsies. he/him
SAM GROISSER (Music Director) Sam is a music director, pianist, conductor, arranger, and copyist newly based out of NYC. Broadway national tours: Tootsie, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Alumnus of Northwestern University.
IG: @groissedout
MARCY HEISLER (Lyricist/Author) and ZINA GOLDRICH (Composer) have been collaborating together since 1993. They were the first women ever honored with the Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theatre Songwriting, and Heisler was honored with the 2012 Kleban Prize for Outstanding Lyrics. Current projects include EVER AFTER (Alliance Theatre), Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Lucille Lortel, Off-Broadway), Hollywood Romance (Scott Sanders Productions) and a musical adaptation of a Universal Studios romantic classic (Universal Stage Productions). In 2012, Goodspeed Opera House premiered The Great American Mousical, based on the bestselling book by author/director Julie Andrews. In 2016, Goldrich and Heisler continued their collaboration with Andrews, contributing songs to her Netflix series Julie’s Green Room. They earned 2009 Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Lyrics and Music for their musical Dear Edwina, a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Theatreworks USA’s JUNIE B. JONES (based on the popular children’s book) and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for their Kennedy Center production of SNOW WHITE ROSE RED (and FRED). They have provided original songs for The Disney Channel, Disney Interactive and Feature Animation projects, Disney Theatricals, PBS, Nickelodeon, and others. As performers, they have toured domestically and internationally with The Marcy and Zina Show. November 2009 marked the release of MARCY AND ZINA: The Album on Yellow Sound Label. They are both active members of The Dramatist Guild, and have served as contributing writers to Dramatist magazine.
ANTHONY LASCOSKIE, JR (Wig Designer) joined the Fulton Theatre 23 seasons ago. Locally, Anthony has enjoyed designing for EPAC, Theatre of the 7th Sister, Hempfield Dance Theatre, and Ephrata & Garden Spot High Schools. Nationally, Anthony’s designs have been seen at the Riverside Theater, Playhouse on the Square, and Walnut Street Theatre. Favorite shows include In the Heights, Into the Woods and The Rocky Horror Show. Favorite Hair Designs include Taffetas, Wizard of Oz, and 42nd Street.
VICTORIA LAYSER (Costume Designer) Victoria is excited to be back this season creating costumes for a wide range of characters from the very colorful Family Series, to the Studio Series, to her first Main Stage show! Thank you to everyone who made this possible! And love to my assistant Finn, and my assistant’s assistant Andrew.
LYDIA SELMAN (Sound Designer) Thrilled to be back at the Fulton! Lydia was the sound designer for last season’s family series productions - including A Christmas Carol, Rapunzel, Robin Hood, and The Wizard of Oz - as well as the A2 on the Mainstage production of Titanic. Favorite sound design credits elsewhere include The Addams Family and The Lightning Thief. Looking forward to another fantastic season.
MEG VALENTINE (Props Designer) (she/they) The 2023/24 season is Meg’s third season with The Fulton! Prop Design credits include The Wiz, Grease, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf (Fulton Theatre), The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers (Gretna Theatre, Alleyway Theatre), Jersey Boys (Maine State Music Theatre). Enjoy the show!
STEPHJO WISE (Director/Choreographer) is thrilled to be directing such a fantastic cast in this wonderful show based on a favorite book series. She is a Lancaster City resident and enthusiast and she is proud to have been a long time teaching artist and performer at Fulton Theatre. StephJo is Fulton Theatre’s Director of Education and has performed throughout the nation in countless musicals, plays, operas, sketch comedy shows, film/television, and concerts. She was beyond honored to recently be named Broadway World Central PA’s Arts Educator of the Decade. StephJo passionately believes that theatre and the Arts encourage citizens to be curious, make connections, and be engaged participants in their own lives and in their community.
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (Licensing Company) Music Theatre
International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
(“Equity”) founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions, and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
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