By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Although everything that can happen seems to happen to poor Junie B. Jones, she manages to maintain the utmost optimistic attitude.

“Junie B. Jones, The Musical” is the feature of this year’s Paula Huser Children’s Theatre.

The Paula Huser Children’s Theatre is an annual production that showcases child actors ages 7 to 14. Older students are mentored as directors and to manage lights and costumes. Huser was a founding member of what later became Hays Community Theatre and was known for her work with children, said Wendy Richmeier, “Junie B. Jones” director.

Performances will be 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Celebration Community Church. Tickets are $5 and are general admission. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.hctks.com. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. The musical lasts about an hour.

This year’s performance has more than 40 cast and crew members.

“Junie B. Jones, The Musical” is based on the book series by Barbara Park that bares the same name. Although the stories in the musical come from the book series, the musical does not follow any one book exactly.

The books are intended for a second-grade reading level, but many older children will likely remember the stories, Richmeier said.

The audience will join Junie B., played by Jordan Aschenbrenner, on her first day of first grade. Junie B. has a rough start to grade school when her best friend from kindergarten, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her bestie anymore. However, she makes friends with the new kid at school, Herb, on the school bus.

Junie B. is also disappointed to learn from her teacher, Mrs. Scary, that she has to get glasses after she struggles to read the chalkboard during class.

Junie B. keeps the details of all her travails in her “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal.”

Correction: For time on Saturday for performance, which is at 1 p.m.