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Turn Your Terrible Day into a Terrific Day at WST for Kids!

January 7, 2013

PHILADELPHIA, PA: Fall in love with the delightful misadventures of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with Walnut Street Theatre for Kids. Judith Viorst’s popular children’s book comes to life with an hour-long musical adaptation of Alexander… performed LIVE at Walnut Street Theatre, February 1 through February 9, 2013.

From the moment he wakes up, Alexander can tell it’s going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He wakes up with gum in his hair, trips on his skateboard and drops his sweater in a sink full of water. Breakfast is another disaster, when both his brothers find prizes in their cereal boxes and all Alexander gets is cereal. At school things aren’t any better; his best friend abandons him on the playground and his mom forgets to put dessert in his lunch box. Might as well pack up and move to Australia! Alexander’s unique outlook on life reveals the humor in the everyday challenges of being a kid. Audiences of all ages will be laughing along at each entertaining mishap. Filled with hilarious hijinks, lively songs and energetic dancing, this totally awesome musical is sure to tickle your funny bone as it helps kids understand that some days are just like that.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, is Viorst’s most popular children’s book, having sold over 2 million copies. It’s the first in a series of books that follow the comic calamities of Alexander. Viorst is a native to the area, having been born and raised in New Jersey, and a graduate of Rutgers University. The inspiration for the Alexander series came from Viorst’s real-life family. Alexander is based on her youngest son, who experienced many “bad days” when he was young. Also appearing in the series as Alexander’s brothers are Viorst’s two older sons.

Walnut Street Theatre welcomes back David Stradley, who directed last year’s hit production of Miss Nelson is Missing. Music and Vocal Director, Mark Yurkanin, returns to the Walnut having most recently worked on WST for Kids production of A Christmas Carol. Creating Alexander’s zany world are returning artists Scenic Designer Andrew Thompson (Proof, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley), Sound Designer Ryan Peavey (Miss Nelson is Missing), Choreographer Samuel Antonio Reyes (A Christmas Carol) and Lighting Designer Mark Grady (A Christmas Carol, Miss Nelson is Missing). Adding color and excitement to the stage with their costumes are Jennifer Lanyon and Anya Loverdi, this season’s costume apprentices.

Brandon O’Rourke, who audiences will remember as Gavroche in Les Misérables and the Artful Dodger in Oliver, returns as unlucky Alexander. Portraying Alexander’s oblivious parents are local talents Tara Tagliaferro (A Christmas Carol) and Matthew Mastronardi (A Christmas Carol). His annoying brothers and playful friends will be played by Bren Thomas (Love Story, the musical), Nate Golden (A Christmas Carol) and Samantha Joy Pearlman (A Christmas Carol) along withf Walnut newcomer Emily Kleimo.

The Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series is celebrated for its commitment to encouraging parents (and grandparents) to read to their kids. Families can read together, and then discover a whole new level of imagination when they see the shows live onstage. The Walnut takes pride in bringing families together through reading and the arts.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is an ideal outing for every elementary classroom and family with weekday and weekend matinee performances February 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9. Tickets are only $10-$16 with group discounts available for groups of fifteen or more. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticketmaster or by visiting the Walnut’s website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.