Talking with Tim

In my role as a dad, I am the volunteer coordinator for the media center (aka library) at my son’s elementary school. So when my friend, Curt Holman, mentioned he had done a review of play adaptation of Junie B. Jones, I was curious. Honestly, my son has never really warmed to Junie B. Jones, but as the guy who shelves these books on a regular basis, I know the books are very popular with children.

Written by Barbara Park, a majority of the chapter books tell of the adventures of a first-grade little girl with a penchant for getting in some fun (aka trouble). Park has written more than 20 books about the character, so it should be no surprise that the character has been adapted into a children’s play as well.

In reading the review, I was surprised to find out that the roles in the play were performed by adults. Granted I have not seen the play, but there is something weird or creepy to me about suspending my level of disbelief to accept an adult could play a first grader.

Maybe this discomfort stems from my days as a kid when I saw a high school production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! As a child, I thought to myself: “Why aren’t kids my age playing the roles?” Of course, it was a high school production, so my small child mind missed that obvious point. But still, even now, I stick with my gut instinct. Kids plays (when possible, heck child labor laws probably make this impossible) should have kids in the roles written for children.

Of course, I’m unaware of the logistics and challenges of theater production, so I’ll fully admit my gut is probably wrong on this one.