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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,
No Good, Very Bad Day

Based on the book by JUDITH VIORST
Lyrics by JUDITH VIORST
Music by SHELLY MARKHAM
Commissioned and Produced by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

"I’m thrilled to have another opportunity to share Alexander with so many children. I hope that both young and old will learn and laugh together," said Viorst. "And, most of all, I hope they will have a wonderful, marvelous, fabulous, very good day." Judith Viorst

Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A terrible, horrible day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. In this delightful adaptation of her popular children’s book, Judith Viorst sets Alexander’s rather trying life to music and brings to the stage one of America’s feistiest characters. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities but -- he does. And just when it can’t get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and -- yuck! -- kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Alexander’s struggles with life’s daily dramas will not only entertain but educate young audiences as they identify with Alexander and the obstacles he encounters, encouraging them to share their feelings and to realize that bad days happen -- even in Australia. 

Alexander and his two older brothers, Anthony and Nick, are based on author Judith Viorst's own three sons of the same names. During her long and varied career, Judith Viorst has worked as a garment district model and children's book editor. She was a columnist for Redbook magazine for 25 years and worked for two years as a therapist following six years of training. In addition to her best-selling books of poetry for adults, including I'm Too Young to Be Seventy: And Other Delusions (2005), she has written science, adult fiction and nonfiction and three musicals that are still performed on stages around the country. Her famous picture and poetry books for children include her latest book, Nobody Here But Me (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, August 2008). In alliance with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., she, tackled a new challenge in taking her beloved characters from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day from the page to stages across the country.

Ticket Sales

• GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ARE $10 (adults and children).

• Purchase tickets online at any time after April 14th. Seating in the Studio Theatre is limited, so please reserve and purchase your tickets in advance. Please note to email in advance for group reservations.

• The Box Office in the Trexler Pavilion will open for walk-up business on May 26, 2009 for the season. Reserve and purchase by phone at 484-664-3333 or visit the Box Office during regularly scheduled hours (Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to purchase tickets. Email boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu for more information.

• Reservations and advanced purchase are advised to guarantee you tickets for your preferred performance date! Tickets will be available online, by phone and at the box office on May 26. Groups, please reserve early!! See details next....

• Advanced Group Sales - Reserve beginning March 16, 2009. Call 484-664-3087 to request group reservations for 15 or more children. Group tickets are $8 for children and/or adults. Seating per performance is limited. Call early to reserve your dates! Send group requests by email to: boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu to check for availability.

• Nonprofit Groups are invited to purchase tickets at a special rate of $6 per ticket. To qualify, you must be a returning organization or request advanced approval. Seating per performance is limited. Send a brief description of your nonprofit group and your request for tickets by email to: boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu.

Our children’s theatre programs are considered to be among the finest work being mounted for young people in our community. Our goal is to excite and preserve the innate joy and creativity in children and parents by sharing the experience of the live performing arts.  The live performance of musical theatre for children ages 4 - 10 introduces a new generation of artists and audiences to the value of the performing arts.  For developing young college artists and performers, these expanding programs offer professional opportunities to perform, direct and design, and to learn as well as participate in the main stage season.

The thousands of children who attend these productions each summer are beginning a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. We play to large audiences of multi-generational families and groups from the community, including area day care centers, private and public schools, summer workshops and special care programs. Don't miss the opportunity to introduce the youngsters in your life to the joys of Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre.

An intimate 50-square foot performance space that allows for creative scenic design and flexible staging, the Studio Theatre is located on the lowest level of the Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance. The intimate performance space is the home for the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre's productions of musical theatre for children.