209 Mischievous 3RD-GRADER ‘RAMONA QUIMBY’ SET FOR TUCKER THEATRE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 5, 2007
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919

Beloved Children’s Book Series Comes Life on MTSU Stage in February

(MURFREESBORO)—The MTSU CenterStage Series will get under way in 2007 with the children’s theater production of “Ramona Quimby,” which will be presented at
7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-24 in Tucker Theatre.
One of the most memorable characters in American children’s fiction will come to life on stage in this entertaining adaptation of Beverly Cleary’s beloved children’s book series. Theatergoers will have the opportunity to follow 8-year-old Ramona through her adventurous third-grade year as she faces some of life’s most difficult obstacles with pluck and humor.
Dr. Jette Halladay, professor of speech and theatre, did her research before selecting “Ramona Quimby” as this season’s children’s theater production.
“I visited various elementary schools to ask teachers what some of the students’ favorite books were and what they might be interested to see on stage, and ‘Ramona Quimby’ was a popular suggestion among many teachers,” she confirmed.
Adapted for the stage by Obie-winning playwright Len Jenkin, the play incorporates several familiar events from the Ramona book collection. For Ramona, third grade can't get much worse. Her teacher is angry with her and her friends make fun of her. Her father loses his job and her mother has to go back to work. Her sister picks on her. And to top it all off, her Aunt Bea is getting married and moving to Alaska. Life just isn't fair! But with the help of her loving family and friends, Ramona conquers life’s challenges and audiences will laugh and cheer her on.
Ben Dawson, a sophomore theater major who portrays Ramona’s father, said, “I’m really excited about doing the show. I grew up watching the old Ramona cartoons when I was little, and now I get the chance to bring those characters to life on stage for children.”
Halladay said some 20 MTSU students will portray characters whose ages range from 8 to 70-plus in the performance.
“This show is going to be very different from other children’s productions we have done in the recent past,” Halladay observed. “It deals with real family issues that children can relate to in their lives.
“Ramona’s life is turned upside down and things are not going her way. However, she uses her imagination and creativity to overcome those obstacles,” she continued. “(And) I think that is something children can relate to.”
In addition to the evening performances on Feb. 23-24, “Ramona Quimby” will also be performed in daytime matinees for school groups at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Feb. 20-23.
• TICKETS—Tickets to evening performances of “Ramona Quimby” may be purchased at the door. Ticket prices range from $4 to $8. The lobby opens for ticket sales at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of each performance. MTSU students will be admitted free of charge with a valid MTSU ID.
For reservation to school group matinees, please contact Jeff Gibson at (615) 898-5916 or via e-mail at jsgibson@mtsu.edu. Group tickets to matinees are $4 per student.



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ATTENTION, MEDIA—For editorial needs, including interview requests with performers or faculty, photo requests or to obtain review tickets, please contact Lisa L. Rollins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at MTSU at 615-898-2919.