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

We all have them: terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. We just forget the slights and injustices that plagued us as kids are just miniature crises we go through as adults. Metaphorically, we still get gum in our hair, don't always get the cereal prize, get rebuffed by friends and do wish we could just escape to Australia.

The B Street Theatre Family Series' 90-minute version of Judith Viorst's 1972 book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day follows the story of Alexander, a young boy who is having a particularly sucky day from the moment he wakes up until he finally gets tucked into bed that night.

Seems everyone and everything is going against Alexander this particular day—from bossy brothers to inattentive parents, from buddy snubs to teacher nags. He's not a perpetual victim, just a kid who stumbles through endless brambles, some his own making.

B Street's production makes the most of Alexander's sad-day saga, which is supplemented by funny, appropriate songs, and shines with a charismatic cast who endears themselves to kids and adults alike. And that's exactly why B Street's productions for kids end up being a fun excursion for adults as well—they're entertaining, enlivening and engaging for all ages.

Director Lyndsay Burch deftly keeps the action rolling along, Armando Luis Rivera as Alexander leads the talented cast with his plucky charm, and set designer Samantha Reno wonderfully recreates all the indoor and outdoor aspects of Alexander’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.