Sept. 15, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORIAL CONTACT: LISA WOSKE
(805) 756-7110
TICKET INFO: (805) 756-2787
'Alexander' Brings Affordable Family Fun to Cal Poly Oct. 7
SAN LUIS OBISPO – The feisty, lovable main character from the “Alexander” book series comes alive in a new musical, entitled “Alexander, Who’s Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, Not Going To Move!” and presented by Cal Poly Arts at 7 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre on Friday, October 7, 2005.
The show is the first offering of the Cal Poly Arts popular, low-cost 2005-06 Family Series.
Produced by the Kennedy Center as part of their Imagination Celebration on Tour program, “Alexander, Who’s Not, Not, Not...” features book and lyrics by celebrated "Alexander" author Judith Viorst and music by Shelly Markham.
In this heartwarming musical, Alexander faces his biggest challenge ever: his father is starting a new job that is, according to Alexander, “a thousand miles away.” While everyone packs, Alexander is determined to stay right where he is.
What Alexander learns, however, is that change can be scary but full of opportunities and that no matter where one goes, home is where one’s family is.
Playwright Judith Viorst is also 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.
Viorst adapted “Alexander and the Terrible...” for the musical stage with composer Shelly Markham as part of the Kennedy Center's Imagination Celebration on Tour series; that musical played to enthusiastic houses in San Luis Obispo as part of the Cal Poly Arts 1999/2000 performing arts series.
Viorst is also well-known to young readers for her collection of 16 books for children, including “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney,” “Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest,” and the “Alexander” stories: “Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday,” and “Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move.”
Other Viorst writings include seven collections of poems for adults, such as “The Village Square, “”It’s Hard to be Hip Over Thirty and Other Tragedies of Married Life,” and “Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life.” Her 1986 book, “Necessary Losses,” appeared for almost two years on The New York Times best-seller list.
Composer Markham has collaborated with Viorst for many years, beginning with the musical revue, “Love and Shrimp,” based on Viorst’s best selling poetry books.
The show enjoyed a successful run at the Pasadena Playhouse, among other venues, and is still performed regularly in theatres across the country.
He also wrote songs for the hit musical, “Naked Boys Singing!” and has done special musical material for many popular television series, including “Friends,” “The Nanny,” “Golden Girls” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Markham is also well known as an arranger and musical director, touring extensively with acclaimed cabaret artist Andrea Marcovici. He has worked with a diverse roster of performers including Lanie Kazan, Margaret Whiting, Nell Carter, Ann Jillian, Carol Lawrence, Gogi Grant and Bonnie Franklin.
"Alexander, Who's Not..." is appropriate for Grade K-6.
Tickets for the performance are $15 general public/$12 students and children, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone, call (805) 756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088. Order on-line at www.pacslo.org.
Sponsored by American Airlines/American Eagle. Also supported in part with funds provided by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), the California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For audio and video samples of Cal Poly Arts events, visit www.calpolyarts.org.
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