Photo Flash: JUDY MOODY & STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT, Makes World Premiere

Based upon the wildly popular Judy Moody series of children's books, the world premiere production of JUDY MOODY & STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT comes to First Stage this May. A national collaboration with seven of the country's leading children's theaters, JUDY MOODY & STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT finds third grader Judy Moody in a bit of a mood. She's been given a school assignment to create a "Me" collage, and her know-it-all little brother Stink keeps getting in the way. When the Moody family drops anchor on "Artichoke" Island for a weekend getaway, they meet Cap'n Weevil with a secret treasure map, launching them on a mad dash across the island in search of gold. That's when the fun and adventure begins!

JUDY MOODY & STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT runs May 4 - June 3, 2018 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in the Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org. Suggested for families with young people ages 5 - 9+.

"Judy Moody is a compelling character and a great fit for the stage," said playwright Allison Gregory. "She activates the world around her. From her dogged determination (which frequently looks like impulsivity), to her scrappy resourcefulness, she engages other characters, and us, to root for her."

Added Author Megan McDonald, "I'm thrilled readers will get to see my books make the leap from page to stage," McDonald, creator of the Judy Moody and Stink series, said, "Judy Moody has been to Antarctica, The Freedom Trail, Artichoke Island and college. She has gone around the world in eight (and a half) days. But never before has she been on stage!"

Director Jeff Frank also commented, "We are delighted to be part of this first-time collaboration between seven of the country's best children's theaters to bring Judy Moody to our stage. Millions of children around the world find Judy a funny, spunky girl they can easily relate to."

Adapted for the stage by Allison Gregory. Based on the books: "Judy Moody" and "Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt" written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc. This play was co-commissioned by First Stage, Adventure Theatre MTC, Bay Area Children's Theatre, The Rose Theatre, Oregon Children's Theatre, Children's Theatre of Charlotte and Orlando Repertory Theatre.