PEACH WEEKENDER

Theater: ‘Junie B. Jones’ to visit Toledo Zoo’s Indoor Theatre

The exploits of Junie B. Jones are presented in a musical Feb. 8 in the historic theater at the Toledo Zoo.

Children can explore a delightful part of the Toledo Zoo they may never have seen before, and at the same time enjoy the exploits of that famous first grader, Junie B. Jones, when she appears Feb. 8 in a musical on the stage of the Indoor Theatre, which dates to 1937.

The live one-hour show from Theatreworks in New York tells what happens when Junie writes the story of her life in her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal as she makes new friends, gets new glasses, wants to play in the annual kickball tournament, and experiences various first-grade mix-ups. It is recommended for audiences ages 5 and up.

Junie B. Jones the musical is based on four volumes in Barbara Park’s series of books, illustrated by Denise Brunkus and published by Random House.

Show times are 2 and 4 p.m. and limited tickets, at $17 for zoo members, $18 for nonmembers, are available from the zoo’s box office at the Anthony Wayne Trail entrance. Zoo admission is not required to purchase tickets or attend the show. Toledo Zoo members save on ticket processing fees and parking in the Anthony Wayne Trail lot. Information: toledozoo.org/​junie.

The Indoor Theatre, located in the Museum of Science building on the south side of the zoo, adjacent to the Amphitheater, was built by craftsmen of the Works Progress Administration era, said Dennis P. Schnurbusch II, the zoo’s director of visitor services. “It opened in October, 1937, about a year after the Amphitheater and two years before the Museum of Science. Throughout the 75-plus years since the Indoor Theatre opened, the zoo has preserved the classic Elizabethan design that has thrilled audiences of all ages [who come to see] live performances, afternoon family movies, education programs, and more.” Today, he added, the theater is the setting for weddings, corporate presentations, and other special events, “including exclusive new animal shows that bring zoo visitors closer than ever to the natural world.”

The Toledo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Information: toledozoo.org or 419-385-4040.

‘Little Mermaid’

The Croswell Opera House in downtown Adrian will debut its All-Area High School Musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr., tomorrow. The show is based on the 1989 Disney animated film, and one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, about the beautiful young mermaid Ariel. The score features the classic songs, “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” and the Academy Award-winning “Under the Sea."

The Croswell’s high school musical, now in its fifth year, features high school students and home-schooled students from throughout Lenawee, Monroe, and Lucas counties. Nearly 30 area teens are involved in the show. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., Feb. 8 at 2:30 and 7 p.m., and Feb. 9 at 2:30 at the theater, 129 E. Maumee St. Tickets are available at the Croswell’s box office, 517-264-7469, or at croswell.org. Tickets are $10-$25 for adults, $10 for youths aged 15 and younger.

Dear Valentine

The Toledo Rep will present special Valentine’s weekend performances of Love Letters, a comic-drama directed by Barbara Barkan, Feb. 14-16 on the 10th Street stage.

This play by A.R. Gurney, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama, follows Melissa and Andrew, who are seated at separate tables, reading letters exchanged between the childhood friends during their separate lives. Their hopes, successes, and failures are shared over the course of a 50-year relationship.

There will be three different pairs of actors for each performance: Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., Paul Causman and Shirley Williams; Feb. 15 at 8 p.m., Joe Capucini and Kate Abu Absi, and Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m., Jeff Bell and Barbara Barkan. Tickets are $15, or $33 for a Valentine’s Day weekend special for all three performances; call 419-243-9277.

Send theater items at least two weeks in advance of the event to Sue Brickey at: sbrickey@theblade.com.