By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

If you have a kindergartener, like I do, or anyone who remembers their kindergarten years, you might want to see Synchronicity Performance Group’s production of the musical “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business.”

Adapted from the Barbara Park children’s book series, the musical is part of Synchronicity’s family series and is running Tuesdays through Thursdays and weekends through May 31 on the main stage at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta.

If your child has not been introduced to the Junie B. Jones book series, the musical might inspire you to do so. Written for ages 4 - 8, the stories about the sassy little 5-year-old, her classmates and family began with Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, back in 1992. There are now more than 25 books in Park’s series. (more…)

By Sherri Smith Brown

Twenty-some years ago, my longtime friend Wendi Farr and I would take our young girls to The Foxx Theater in Atlanta for various plays and musical theater. As we said back then, “We’re going to give them culture and expose them to the arts, whether they like it or not.” Today, as far as I’m concerned, our old adage still holds true, but fortunately I don’t have to travel to Atlanta with Brianna to give her a bit of cultural entertainment. There are more and more regional and local theater groups that are doing a wonderful job. In my locale, The Legacy Theatre in Tyrone ranks right up there with any theatrical performances going on anywhere in the state, the region and across the country – for adults and children.

My first experience with The Legacy Theatre was last December when I went with Brianna and her pre-school class to see a performance of “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” All the acting was first-rate—not a weakness anywhere. The choreography was outstanding and, most importantly, the kids enjoyed themselves immensely. Brianna, who was four at the time, was so mesmerized that I immediately looked into the rest of children’s series to see what was offered and ended up buying tickets for the remaining season.

This summer, the regular season ended with a musical production of “The Wizard of Oz,” and Brianna and I were once again enthralled—Dorothy and the gang, singing and dancing Munchkins, poppies, trees and jitterbug ghosts—all New York City worthy. (more…)