Junie B. Jones sings her way into first grade this weekend at 2 p.m. Sunday in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Based on the best-selling children's series by Barbara Park, Junie B. Jones is a musical comedy telling the tales of the hardships a first-grader fresh from kindergarten faces, such as finding new friends, needing eyeglasses, and helping in the lunchroom.

The songs featured in the musical sound like '60s pop and the stories are taken from the books, bringing the precocious, free-thinking Junie B. to life, and giving the audience an idea of what she'd be like if she were real.

The musical, produced by Theatreworks/USA, arrives in State College while on a tour of the country.

Producers are bringing the same show, though with a different cast, as they had for the debut in New York City last July.

The cast features six actors with experience on Broadway, in film or straight from theater school.

These actors play many roles, including those of children and adults.

They effectively display similar mannerisms to children in their characters, making them very convincing.

"Though this is a play written for preschool to mid-elementary school kids, adults will also enjoy it," John Rafacz, the editorial coordinator at Eisenhower, said. "It's like Disney -- anyone would like it."

Probably the most important prop in the play is Junie B's journal, which she always has she is constantly writing in.

"The musical is framed around Junie B.'s Personal Beeswax journal," said Paula Marchiel, a publicist at Theatreworks/USA. "Some songs in the musical are based on the adventures she writes about," Marchiel added.

Ticket-holding children who arrive to the show an hour before it begins will have the opportunity to make their own Personal Beeswax journals in the conference room at Eisenhower.

Space is limited, so those wishing to attend should call 863-0388 before arriving to reserve space.

Laura Sullivan, the marketing and communications director at Eisenhower, saw the show before its expected arrival in Penn State.

"It's very cute and very impressive how closely the musical follows the books," Sullivan said.

"The stories are woven together to tell of Junie B.'s transitions into first grade and beyond," she added.

Books such as Junie B., First Grader (at last!), Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch, and Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band will be available for purchase from Barnes and Noble in Eisenhower's lobby before and after the performance.

Tickets are $10 for Penn State students, adults and children and are still available at Eisenhower Auditorium.