Ramona Quimby, a much beloved series of books by Beverly Cleary, came to life recently in Prana’s studio. Wearing masks to keep everyone safe, fourteen young thespians presented a play full not of magical creatures or cataclysmic events but of the modern-day life of two girls. Ramona, played with spunk by Ruby Dwyer, is younger, and her older sister, Beatrice, whom everyone calls Beezus, is acted ably by Grace Mitchell. They live in a typical neighborhood, with a Scout troop (led by Olivia Slater), an older woman who watches soap operas all day (Rosie Foley), their parents (Claire Nielsen as Dorothy Quimby and Gwen Rosen as Bob Quimby) and an eccentric aunt, Aunt Bea (Brooke O’Neill.) Ramona also is best friends with the boy next door, Howie (Vivian McCarter.) Later, an Uncle Hobart (Teo Perez) arrives on the scene.

In the world of the 1960’s, when the story takes place, girls wore dresses to school, so in the classroom scenes the girls wear lovely dresses and Mary Jane shoes and the boys wear neither ragged jeans nor baggy T shirts. This was pure nostalgia! In between scenes such sixties songs as “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies and “Dizzy” by Tommy Roe are played and as the props are changed, the kids do a very convincing job of dancing sixties dances, like the swim. Was that a strobe light pulsing in the background? Ramona’s rambunctiousness gets her into trouble with her teacher, and is generally viewed as a pest by Beezus, who considers herself much more grown up. The wackiest scene is the class Halloween party, where the kids in incredible costumes dance hilariously to “The Monster Mash.” There is more nostalgia with “Do You Believe in Magic?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful, and “Tracks of my Tears” by Smokey Robinson.

Then disaster strikes. Mr. Quimby is fired from his job. The girls have to stop their squabbling. Mrs. Quimby has to go out and find a paying job. This is real life. Ramona has a fantasy of winning a million dollars after watching a very funny commercial (Ryan Klimenczko) for Whopperburgers. Eventually all is restored when Mr. Quimby’s boss hires him back, with a promotion. Crazy Aunt Bea suddenly decides to marry Uncle Hobart (no relation). All the girls appear in gorgeous dresses for the last-minute wedding at – the mall. Ramona realizes that everyone doesn’t hate her after all, and Beezus, on the cusp of becoming a teenager, appears in the final act in a very sixties mini-skirt and go go boots. (The miniskirt was actually a dress the director, Roberta Weiner, wore herself at that age!)

The ensemble cast included many actors and actresses playing many parts. They did an amazing job of changing costumes and reappearing in new personas. Those not already mentioned are Lexi Chek, Emma Vargas, Ruby Smith and Keira Roberts. As always with Prana plays, there are older students behind the scenes helping to organize and encourage the younger ones. The atmosphere is one of mutual respect and cooperation, a hallmark of Roberta’s shows, and is surely one reason this merry band of players keeps going so well, year after year.

Publishers’ note:  Ticket sales from this production are being donated to World Central Kitchen, which is working hard to feed those displaced by the war in the Ukraine.