Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Dayl Plays The Coterie 11/2

For kids of all ages who have ever had a bad day: The Coterie Theatre presents Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical November 2 through December 31. The book and lyrics are by Judith Viorst; music by Shelly Markham. The hilarious production is directed by Missy Koonce.

From the moment Alexander wakes up (with gum in his hair), everything that can go wrong seems to do just that, in one epic day. In this delightful musical of Viorst's very popular children's book, Alexander's best friend demotes him to third best friend; his mother forgets to pack a dessert; and the dentist doesn't have good news. To boot, there are lima beans for dinner and-yuck-there's kissing on TV. It's enough to make anyone want to move to Australia!

"I loved this book as a kid, and I think as long as there are kids having bad days on this planet, this story will have relevance. The key is to make Alexander the Champion for 'bad kid's days' everywhere," said Director Missy Koonce.

"In this production, as always, it's important to me that there is a secret fun and fodder in the production for the enjoyment of the adult viewers - so look for them!" she said.

After every Friday night performance, there will be a free Something Fun experience. Audiences coming to Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical may experience an Opening Night reception, an autograph session with the cast, a backstage tour, a Q&A or even a dance lesson with Alex! The experience will change each week.

Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical is the first of three productions in the Coterie's Family Series and is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT JUDITH VIORST AND "ALEXANDER"
Judith Viorst is the author of several works of fiction and non-fiction for children as well as adults. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, her most famous children's book, was first published in 1972 and has since sold over two million copies and is the winner of the ALA Notable Children's Books, George G. Stone Center Recognition Of Merit, Georgia Children's Book Award and Reading Rainbow Book.

When asked by the Kennedy Center that commissioned the musical about what influenced Viorst to write the book, she responded:

"Alexander, the youngest of my three sons, seemed to be having A LOT of bad days. He fell out of trees, fell off of chairs, broke his wrist, knocked out his front teeth, and, in addition to these breaks and bruises, was involved in a variety of non-physical disasters and disappointments.

"I thought that the notion of "a bad day," could serve for him, and for all kids, as it does for adults, a "container" function, suggesting that this day-this bad news-would (honest and truly!) come to an end.

"I was also tacitly suggesting in the book that everyone, just not our hapless hero, sometimes has bad days and that neither the fictional nor the real-life Alexander has been singled out for a unique fate. Furthermore, these bad days happen everywhere, even in Australia, and since we can't escape them we might as well muddle through them and maybe even try (at some point) to laugh about them."

ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Coterie has assembled some of the finest young musical theatre talent: KC Comeaux (Alexander), Jessalyn Kincaid (Becky/Mother), Steven Eubank (Albert), Emily Shackelford (Audrey, Phillip), Martin Buchanan (George/Father/Mrs. Dickens/Dr. Fields/shoe salesperson), Francisco Villegas (Nick) and Price Messick (Anthony/Paul).

The artistic and Production Company includes Missy Koonce (director), Daniel Doss (musical director), Jordan Janota (set designer), Ron MeGee (properties designer), Megan Turek (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Amy Abels Owen (stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director/master carpenter), and Alex Murphy (production assistant).

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Coterie Theatre, now in its 32nd Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, is located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, Mo. Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical performs November 2 - December 31, 2010.

Opening Night November 5 audiences are invited to a free post-performance celebration with director and cast members. Free question and answer sessions about the show and "how it's done" will take place after the 2 p.m. performances November 6 and 7. In addition, links to the new Coterie Viewtube series for Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical for enhancing the theatre experience is posted on the Coterie website.

Individual tickets through Nov. 23 are $10 for youth, students and seniors age 60 and up; $15 for adults; $9 for Season Discount Deal holders. Tickets prices Nov. 26- Dec. 31 are $12 for youth, students and seniors; $17 for adults. Tickets may be purchased online at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday. TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase and a copy of the book Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (one per order; restrictions apply; not available online).

NOTABLE DATES:
November 5, Opening Night: Free post-performance reception with director and Company.
November 12, 19, 26 and December 3, 10 and 17: Something Fun Friday Night! A free post-performance experience that may be an autograph session with the cast, backstage tour, Q&A or even a dance lesson with Alex! Experience will change with each performance.
November 6, 7 Q&A: Free post-performance question and answer sessions with the Company.
November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4, 11, 18: TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase and free book; restrictions apply; not available online.
November 20: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language

 

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