Locals Star in San Diego Junior Theatre's Production of 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing'

Two locals are among the students performing in the San Diego Junior Theatre’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, through March 17. Julie Ramsey, a sixth grader at Del Mar Heights elementary, and Luke Ruggiero, an eighth grade student at The Grauer School in Encinitas, play characters in the play based on beloved author Judy Blume’s book of the same name.

The production centers on the escapades of fourth grader Peter Hatcher as he woefully deals with the mischievous antics of his little brother, Fudge.

The show is being held at Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado Theater on Fridays at 7 p.m. and weekends at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $15 and are available online at juniortheatre.com and by calling 619-239-8355. The March 16 performance is being presented along with American Sign Language interpretation. 

Directed by San Diego Junior Theatre alumna Teri Weisenberg Ang, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing exhibits the talent and dedication of dozens of young people, both onstage and behind the curtain. With guidance from adult professionals, the crew members prepare costumes, apply make-up, run the stage lights and sound systems, and carry out most all other fundamental theater responsibilities. 

San Diego Junior Theatre is committed to the region’s youth by encouraging the development of their creativity, self-esteem and enjoyment of theater arts. Positively affecting students of all abilities, ages 3 through 18, the non-profit organization thrives through show ticket sales, class and camp enrollments and the generosity of its alumni and community members. Contributions to San Diego Junior Theatre are tax-deductible. 

Adapted for the stage by Bruce Mason, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing features music by Andrew Lippa. It is being presented through special arrangement with Plays For Young Audiences, a Partnership of Seattle Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. The production is also sponsored in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department and the County of San Diego. 

—The San Diego Junior Theatre contributed to this announcement.