Posted on: Saturday, September 14, 2002

STAGE REVIEW
Theater puts on a super, excellent, very good show

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Theater Critic

Clockwise from back, Cynthia See, Clara Dalzell and BullDog star in the stage version of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Photo by Brad Goda . . . 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' • 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. today, Sept. 21 and Oct. 6 • Leeward Community College • $12 general, $6 for ages 3-18 and older than 60; free for kids 2 or younger • 839-9885

Everybody has a bad day now and then — even kids. That's the inspiration behind Judith Viorst's children's book with the wraparound title "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

Viorst also wrote lyrics and adapted her book for the stage. Shelly Markham wrote the music, and Mark Lutwak directs it as the season opener for the Honolulu Theatre for Youth. It's for audiences in kindergarten through third grade.

It's a clear and simple tale of a day when everything goes wrong.

Alexander goes to sleep with gum in his mouth and awakens to find it in his hair. There's no prize in his box of breakfast cereal. His best friend relegates him to third place, and the only new shoes that fit him come in one color — terribly uncool white.

The moral? It's the same that propels Scarlett O'Hara and Annie Warbucks. We all get another chance tomorrow.

Musicals are fairly new territory for HTY, and don't listen for the songs from this one on America's Top Forty — but they're clear and singable. The opening number explores the fantasy of making everything turn out right:

"If I were in charge of the world, A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts would be a vegetable."

The final number, "Good Night Wishes" closes on a hopeful note and in between are tunes that connect with the kids.

"Lovely Lady" is choreographed as a hula. "Lizzy Pitofsky" concerns an imaginary classmate; "Mother Doesn't Want A Dog" is an identifiable sorrow; and "Move to Australia" could be anybody's fantasy getaway.

Meanwhile, the physical style underscores the kind of day where everything is awkwardly skewed. Props and set by Michael Harada are painted in garish colors and outsize graphics. Only the stage floor remains horizontal, while chairs and tables tilt like the climax of "Titanic." Backdrops and furniture on wheels whiz around in a manic dance.

Costumer Casey Cameron layers on wigs and bold fabrics that allow the HTY cast to play multiple roles. Perhaps the most delightful transformation is the head and shoulder pieces that turn an actor into a human faucet.

Clara Dalzell is the hapless Alexander — neither a total victim nor a maker of mischief, just the focus for a string of minor bad luck.

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is imaginative, playful and an excellent introduction to live theater.