BWW Reviews: ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Is Actually Very Good

It's just one of those days for Alexander. He gets gum in his hair, his mom sends him to school with a dessert-free lunch, and if that wasn't bad enough, his best friend decides to dump him. These are just a few of the misfortunes that befall our unlikely hero.

In ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Alexander's struggles with the many dramas of his infamously bad day are presented in a funny, entertaining way, with a gentle message for children and adults: Everyone has bad days, bad times, and the trick is to persevere.

"We can all relate to having bad days, when it feels like the entire world is against us. But...things often aren't as bad as they seem in the moment, and tomorrow is an opportunity to do better. That's what makes this simple story a classic; it illustrates that important lesson so well," says Braden Hunt, director of this A.D. Players production.

This show is full of comedic moments and could easily be dubbed a musical comedy. Tunes by Shelly Markham are effective and appropriate for the mood and characters of the play. Judith Viorst's lyrics are fun and help to tell the story with color and life. The best songs in the show are "If I Could Change The World" in which Alexander and other characters long for power and freedom in their lives. Sung by K. Michelle Ritter, "Baby Sister" is laugh-out-loud funny, and "Shoes" is a strong full-cast number.

The likable cast is wonderfully directed by Braden Hunt, who has done a great job finding funny moments and creating hilariously realistic interaction between characters. Will Burke plays hapless, harassed Alexander. Burke is convincing and funny, tugging on his shirt when Alexander is under stress, or vowing vehemently that he will not "wear white shoes." Daniel Miller (Paul) is a standout in the cast, and is very funny as a young boy who likes to make (endless) comments in the classroom. Truly, there are no weak links here, and the cast works very well together as an energetic team.

This a show that entertains both kids and adults and it is an excellent experience for a family night out. A.D. Players has consistently good sound, and it is an extremely audience-friendly venue. There really isn't a bad seat in the house, so buy your tickets stress-free.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY runs March 3- March 22. For tickets go to: http://adplayers.org

Photo courtesy of A.D. Players

To post a comment, you must register and login.