Young Company Winter Festival Features 15 From Stoneham

A release from the Greater Boston Stage Company:

Fifteen Stoneham actors will be taking the stage during The Young Company Winter Festival at Greater Boston Stage Company. The Winter Festival, performed by actors in grades 1-12, is the culmination of 8 weeks of rehearsals by the students and their professional directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, and design team.

The Young Company Winter Festival includes 4 fully-staged productions: family-friendly musical Junie B. Jones, Jr., beloved classic Annie, Disney’s enchanting Beauty and the Beast, and the hilarious comedy 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Sneak a peek into the Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones! Delightfully adapted from Barbara Park’s best-selling books, Junie B. Jones, Jr takes us through her first day of 1st grade. Lot of things have changed for her - between friends, new kids, and a kickball tournament, first grade is harder and more exciting than it looks! Stoneham actors are Laura Hobgood (Donna) and Sarah Pontone (Mom).

Based on the popular comic strip, Annie tells the extraordinary story of a plucky orphan who spends the holidays with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Despite their “hard knock life,” Annie and her friends adventure all around NYC, and even try to find Annie’s real parents. This classic family musical’s message of resilience in the face of adversity, and her “the sun will come out” idealism will inspire a new generation of audiences. Stoneham actors are Beliz Baloglu (Judge Brandeis/Ensemble/Eddie/Jimmy Johnson), Melis Baloglu (Kate), Amelia Borto (Sophie, Hooverville soloist/Warbucks Staff/Freddy McKraken/Ickes), Carly Carlson (Sandy/Ensemble/Drake), Joseph Dooley (Tim aka Tessie), Keira Haughey (Miss Hannigan), Shelagh Lijander (Annie), Jillian McAuley (Pepper), Chloe Nasson (Duffy) and Sophia Zullo (Bundles McCloskey/Ensemble/Woman 4/Fantasy Parent/Howe).

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, a “tale as old as time,” is a magical musical centered on Belle, a young intelligent woman who feels out of place in her provincial town. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him means facing – and then living with – the Beast. Under an enchantment, the Beast can only become human if he learns to love and be loved in return. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Stoneham actors are Max Lehrman (Lefou) and Sydney Newcomb (Silly Girl).

An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through this comical musical as audiences fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers. Stoneham actors are Katie Kelley (Leaf) and Carlie Lafauci (Barfee).

Performances:

Junie B. Jones Jr. — Sunday, Jan. 27th at 11 a.m.; Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 11 a.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 3rd at 11 a.m. Junie B. Jones Jr. is recommended for all ages.

Annie — Saturday, Jan. 26th at 1 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 27th at 1 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 3rd at 1 p.m. Annie is recommended for all ages.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast — Saturday, Jan. 26th at 4 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 27th at 4 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 31st at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 4 p.m. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is recommended for all ages.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — Friday, Jan. 25th at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26th at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 1st at 7:30 p.m.; and Sat., February 2nd at 7:30 p.m. 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Tickets are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at Greater Boston Stage Company at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.greaterbostonstage.org.

Photo courtesy Greater Boston Stage Company

Front Row L-R: Jillian McAuley, Chloe Nasson, Joseph Dooley, Sophia Zullo, Melis Baloglu, Shelagh Lijander; Back Row L-R: Carly Carlson, Keira Haughey, Amelia Borto, Beliz Baloglu