Grown-up fans of Judy Blume’s “Fudge” series can introduce their kids to the work when Two Beans Productions’ “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” comes to the Schwartz Center for the Arts Friday.
For those who don’t remember the late-’70s book, it focuses on Peter, the nine-year-old narrator who struggles with an assignment that asks about the most important event of his year. Everything he can think of seems to involve his toddler brother, Fudge, who gets all the adoration while Peter gets all the blame. So was the most important event when Fudge refused to eat? Or was it Fudge’s horrible birthday party? Or better yet, when Peter was blamed when Fudge knocked his front teeth out? Audiences will see what Peter decides on, and how he goes about getting some attention for himself.
The play runs approximately an hour, and is geared toward kids 6 and older.
The material delves into sibling rivalry and the challenges of parenting rambunctious kids, topics that director Rob Barron said appeal to the entire family.
“When I’m directing these shows, one day my left eye will be looking at it from a parent’s point of view, and my right eye will be looking at it from a kid’s point of view,” Barron said. “And I think when you can get both, that’s great.”
So although it’s a kid’s tale, there’s a lot to keep parents engaged. In fact, after seeing a rehearsal his wife quipped that it should be required viewing for parents. Probably because it reminded her of their kids, who are 8 and 2.
Barron’s 8-year-old son visits the set and serves as a barometer for his productions, so the show is kid-approved.
“These shows really live with him for a long, long time,” Barron said.
Kids get invested in the shows, too, especially if they know the story.
“I think a lot of kids coming to see theater don’t really care what the title is as long as they come in and have a good time,” he said. “On the other hand, when they’re coming in to see something where they know the source material, it’s a whole different kettle of fish.”
Barron, whose background includes degrees from the Yale School of Drama and Brown University, said he never imagined getting involved in family theater.
