The cast of Junie B. Jones. Dustin White photo

Dustin White
Editor

Over the years, the Mandan High School has had great success with a number of different musicals. Part of their success has been the willingness to explore a wide array of topics, as well as push themselves with potentially difficult material. This year was no different. 

Without talent though, the risk wouldn’t pay off. And talent is a department that Mandan isn’t lacking. Coupled with an experienced technical crew, assisted by Austin Geltel, the 2017 musical, Junie B. Jones, added one more worthy production by Mandan High School. 

Final Performance
Attending the last performance of the season, the musical would be showing to a near full house. Unlike many in the audience, I was a bit hesitant about the material. Never having read the Junie B Jones books as a child, and not thrilled about them as a father, who has read them to his son, I was unsure how the material could be elevated



The books themselves are geared to younger readers, which poses a problem when trying to adapt them to an older audience. It was a challenge that director Anne Jorgenson Green and Music Director Keri Hess-Bolte would have realized when they selected the material. 

For Green and Bolte, the selection of the show had to pass certain criteria, such as, does it contain themes that will touch or inspire high school students. On a more realistic level, it also has to be feasible in order to produce, as the school is working within certain limitations. Junie B. Jones fit that criteria. 

Possibly the hardest sell though was taking the lives of first graders, and having it connect with high school students or adults. Being the father of a first grader, I know just how difficult that can be. 

Yet, somehow they were able to pull it off. They were able to take themes that effect most everyone, such as change, and make it relevant, even though the material itself, and the situations portrayed, were not. 

Part of the effectiveness rests on the actors truly getting into character, and bringing the material to life. They appeared to really believe what they were selling, and even though many of the situations and problems were exaggerated, as first graders often do, the message behind the material was really able to shine through. 

Sabrina Matthews attempts to learn to juggle on stage, while Maddie Vega and Alec Bartlett, playing the mother and father, watch. Dustin White photo

Stand Out Performance
While all in this years musical really nailed their performances, the stand out was Mandan Junior, Sabrina Matthews, who played Junie B. Jones. 

As the lead character, and the character in which the musical revolves around, it was critical that Matthews sold herself as Junie B. She needed to truly connect with the audience, or risk losing them. It was a challenge that she stepped up to, and succeeded at. 

Matthews took the audience through a wide range of emotions, from being seemingly depressed, to being ecstatic. She became Junie B., and took everyone with her on a rollercoaster. 

Really dedicating herself to the role, she also nailed two other aspects of her character. The first was being able to successfully break the fourth wall, and address the audience without it being awkward. It was a way that she could connect with the audience better, and bring them into the musical. 



The second aspect that was impressive was learning how to juggle for the performance. For me, those little touches really help to sell a character. And Matthews’ attempt at juggling, which was successful enough for the musical, wasn’t overly showy. It was just enough. 

Matthews and co-star, Nicolas Rohrich, playing Herbert. Dustin White photo

Hiccups
While the musical started out strong, there were still a few hiccups with the overall performance, which is to be expected. 

For the most part, the timing was exceptional, and those on stage appeared to be comfortable with their parts. If there were any major problems with the performance, by the final night, they were all worked out. 

However, there were moments that could have been more polished. There were a couple of breaks which suggest that a line was momentarily forgotten; yet, they were able to cover quickly, and seamlessly. 

What really could have used some polishing though was the actors movements. This is an aspect that I’m a bit torn on though. 

While one expects smoother movement during a musical, at least during the musical numbers, that was often lacking in this performance. The movements were often a bit more choppy, and slightly rushed. It added to the overall feeling of the musical, but it was a bit distracting as well. 

As a whole, the performance was a great success, which I have come to expect from the Mandan High School. They take risks with their choices, but the risks pay off because of the great talent they showcase, both on stage and behind the scenes.