I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
She’s back!? The loveable Junie B. Jones, spunky heroine of the New York Times bestselling book series by Barbara Park, now stars in her own album!? Junie B. Jones The Musical Cast Album, a first-ever recording of the hit musical for families by the award-winning songwriting team of Zina Goldrich & Marcy Heisler, will be released on January 13, 2017. I took my entire Girl Scout troop to see this original family musical when it was playing in my town and every single girl loved it! Of course what made it so fun was all the musical numbers!? The songs cover everything from new friends, new glasses, singing lunch ladies, bossy classmates to kickball tournaments.
Barbara Park’s wildly popular Junie B. Jones books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.? Junie B. Jones The Musical, originally produced Off-Broadway by Theatreworks USA, was adapted from four of the Junie B. Jones books by Marcy Heisler (book/lyrics) and Zina Goldrich (music), working closely with the author.
Junie B. Jones The Musical Cast Album was recorded in Nashville under the direction of renowned Grammy-winning, Academy Award-nominated producer Dan Rudin, whose client list includes Pixar, Disney, Riders in the Sky, Matt Belsante, Wynonna, Tommy Torres, Billy Dean, Newsboys, and more.
Author/lyricist Marcy Heisler and composer Zina Goldrich have been writing, performing, and teaching together since 1993.? Their work has been nominated for Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Helen Hayes Awards, and they were recipients of the Fred Ebb Musical Theatre Award for Outstanding Songwriting.? Other awards between them include the Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, Mary Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Award, and the Kleban Prize for Outstanding Lyrics for Heisler.
Writing credits include the musical adaptation of Ever After (Paper Mill Playhouse), the licensed family musicals Junie B. Jones, Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), and Dear Edwina, and the currently touring Junie B‘s Essential Survival Guide to School (Theatreworks USA). The team also provided scores for The Great American Mousical (based on the bestselling book by Julie Andrews) and Hollywood Romance (Scott Sanders Productions) and is currently developing a romantic comedy with Universal Stage Productions.? Their TV/animation work includes projects for many Disney divisions, PBS, Netflix, and others.
- Top Secret Personal Beeswax
- Lucille, Camille, Chenille
- You Can Be My Friend
- Time To Make A Drawing
- You Need Glasses
- Show and Tell
- Now I See
- Lunch Box
- Gladys Gutzman Queen of Snacks
- Kickball Tournament
- Sheldon Potts’ Halftime Show
- When Life Gives You Lemons
- Kickball Tournament (Reprise)
- When Life Gives You Lemons (Reprise)
- Writing Down the Story of My Life
- Junie B. Jones: Lori Casteel
- Lucille/Bobby Jean – Ericka Aubrey
- Herb: Scott Baker
- Lenny/Camille: Galen Fott
- May: Sarah Bailey
- Mommy: Shelean Newman
- Sheldon: David Wise
- Jose/Chenille: Chris Lee
- Grace: Emily Webb
- Daddy: Garris Wimmer
- Mr. Scary: Shane McConnell
ORCHESTRA:
- Conductor: David Weinstein
- Piano, keyboards: Steve Kummer
- Bass: Craig Nelson, Duncan Mullins
- Guitars: Paul Brannon
- Drum set: Scott Williamson
- Trumpet: Steve Patrick, Jeff Bailey, Mike Haynes
- Trombone: Barry Green
- Tenor and baritone sax: Mark Douthit
- Violin: David Davidson, David Angell
- Cello: Anthony LaMarchina
The Junie B. Jones The Musical Cast Album will be available at all digital retailers (iTunes, Amazon, and more) and all streaming services (Spotify, Pandor, and more).
