ALEXANDER'S VERY BAD...DAY onstage at Barter Theatre
By: Jeffrey Ellis May. 08, 2011
The Barter Players bring Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to life at Barter Theatre through May 21, complete with new songs to accompany the story, at the ter in Abingdon, Virginia.
"Alexander is having a bad day, but children everywhere will have a wonderful time with the show," says director Katy Brown.
Judith Viorst, author of the classic children's book, adapted the story for the stage with music added by Shelly Markham.
Alexander and the other kids have solos in the show, and they sing together; for example, the ensemble sings "If I Were in Charge of the World" and Alexander sings about "Australia."
"Kids will love the music added to the story," Brown says.
Because it's a musical and such a familiar story, Alexander... is one of the few selected shows by The Barter Players to be presented on Barter's Main Stage. This is to accommodate larger groups and families.
"The show provides a great opportunity to talk to kids about bad days and how to handle them," Brown suggests: Alexander doesn't throw a temper tantrum and even though he doesn't like his railroad train P.J.'s, he still wears them.
"It's a great learning opportunity. Perhaps, like Alexander, you get gum in your hair, there's no prize in your cereal box or you trip on a skateboard. How you handle these things could determine how the rest of your day goes," Brown adds.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is an ALA Notable Children's Book. It has also won a George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit, a Georgia Children's Book Award and is a Reading Rainbow book.
The Barter Players is a special acting company for young audiences and the young at heart. Saturday shows are available for families. Ticket are $11. School and other groups $10. For more information on Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day or other Barter shows, visit www.BarterTheatre.com or call (276) 628-3991.
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