June B. Jones--The Musical

Two women connected through theatre and ovarian cancer

(Rock Island, IL)  Local actress, Kim Furness, who is also an ovarian cancer survivor will be directing Junie B. Jones--The Musical at Circa 21 in Rock Island, which opens tomorrow.  Ironically the writer of the widely popular Junie B. Jones series of books, Barbara Park,  died of ovarian cancer in 2013--the very day Furness was diagnosed with the cancer.  Furness feels a calling to direct the show and draw attention to the killer disease which has no reliable screening or early detection test.

" I fell in love with Junie and her adventures about 8 years ago when I directed my first JUNIE show at Circa 21.  Junie B. Jones personifies adventure, embracing life, facing our fears and writing the story of our lives!  As I celebrate my second year in remission  It is an honor to celebrate her life and be a small part of keeping her stories.  A continued blessing to kids of all ages!  I am filled with gratitude to Ms. Park for bringing this spunky little girl, Junie B. Jones, into my world."

The media is invited to a sneak preview of the show on Monday, April 18th at 1:15 pm at Circa 21.  You will be able to interview Furness about her efforts to spread the word about ovarian cancer.  Reporters and photographers can also shoot some of the rehearsal that begins at 1:30 pm.

The show opens on Tuesday, April 18th and runs through May 21st.  The show is rated G and the tickets are $8.50 a person.  Furness is donating half her directing paycheck to the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative whose mission is to create public awareness, promote early detection, and support research for ovarian cancer.  The not for profit organization, based in Rock Island, honors the memory of two sisters, Norma Yecies Shagrin (May 21, 1935 – June 1, 2008) and Leah Yecies Hantman (July 25, 1931 – August 21, 1998) whose lives were cut short by this deadly disease.