Off-Broadway Alliance Names StinkyKids® The Musical Best Family Show!

Musical Based on the Award-Winning StinkyKids Book Series

(Atlanta, Ga) – StinkyKids The Musical, a live theatrical production based on the characters and themes of the award-winning children’s book series, StinkyKids, was named Best Family Show for the 2011-2012 Season by the Off-Broadway Alliance. Other nominees included Alice in Wonderland, The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things, The Berenstain Bears LIVE!, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Ohmies.

“We’re thrilled to announce StinkyKids The Musical as Best Family Show,” said Peter Breger, chairman of the Off-Broadway Alliance. “There were many terrific shows for children this season and StinkyKids was bursting with great storytelling and wonderful musical numbers for families.”

“It is an honor to be named Best Family Show by the Off-Broadway Alliance,” said Britt Menzies, award-winning children’s author and creator of the StinkyKids franchise. “The musical is such a great show for families that’s filled with laughter, humor and important messages. The recognition is tremendous”

“It has been an incredible experience to work with Britt and the amazing actors, crew and production unit on this show,” commented Stephen Sunderlin, Vital Theatre artistic director. “StinkyKids The Musical is our best-selling regular season show to date and we’re thrilled to be recognized by the Alliance.”

StinkyKids The Musical has performed to sold-out audiences since its debut on March 10, 2012 in New York City. The last performance of StinkyKids The Musical is slated for this Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Theatre 80 located at 80 St. Marks Place between 1^st and 2^ndAvenue in New York City. The production is appropriate for children ages 2-12 and their families. Guests may purchase tickets for the last performance online at www.vitaltheatre.org/stinkykids.php or by visiting www.facebook.com/StinkyKidsMusical. Phone orders can be placed by calling 212-579-0528.

Program synopsis:  StinkyKid Britt never gets into trouble and loves making everyone happy! She’s convinced her parents to take her friends, Max, Hannah, Jen, Johnny and Billy to the opening of the new MegaJumper 3000. But when Britt gets a massive wad of gum stuck in her hair, she must rely on her friends to help her get out of a sticky situation before her parents find out and cancel the trip.

StinkyKids The Musical is directed by Tim Drucker. The books and lyrics are by Sammy Buck, and music is composed by Daniel S. Acquisto. The cast includes Kari Grunberg, Ryan Mikita, Lora Nicolas, AJ Patton, Bryce Payne and Madison Turner.

Critics and consumers alike love StinkyKids The Musical!

“Peppy pop score…could easily be a Katy Perry hit” – Laurel Graber, New York Times

“Hilarious!” – NY Parent Magazine

 “What I love about this musical is that if offers teachable moments for kids. As an added bonus, the audience can meet the cast, get their autographs and have their picture taken. That is such a wonderful memento from shows at the Vital Theatre.” – NYC Single Mom blog

StinkyKids is a hilarious and heart-warming new children’s property that centers around 10 diverse characters each with their own personalities who help kids make right choices and live by the motto, “Always Be a Leader of Good.” Each hilarious, funny and real-life adventure captures the innocence of childhood and the lessons we learn from our mistakes.

About Off-Broadway Alliance Awards

The Off Broadway Alliance is a non-profit corporation organized by theater professionals dedicated to supporting, promoting and encouraging the production of Off Broadway theatre and to making live theater increasingly accessible to new and diverse audiences. Since 2011 the Alliance has recognized outstanding Off-Broadway productions with the Off Broadway Alliance Awards. For more information, please visit www.offbroadwayalliance.com.

About Vital Theatre Company

Vital Theatre Company is a community of artists who believe that a shared theatrical experience profoundly affects people’s lives. They create stories that challenge audiences to ask questions, make discoveries and engage in dialogue. Founded in March 1999, Vital Theatre Company has presented more than 60 original productions for more than 284,000 children and their families. The Company received two American Theatre Wing Awards for Continued Commitment to Excellence in Theatre and was also named as one of nytheatre.com’s “2004 People of the Year.” Vital is a six-time winner of the Off-Off Broadway Review’s Award for Excellence for four main stage productions, as well as Vital’s 2001-2002 Children’s Theatre Season and the children’s piece “The Ballad of Irving the Frog,” (2004). For more information, visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

About StinkyKids

StinkyKids comes from the creative mind of Britt Menzies, a mom who was inspired by her daughter’s simple request to paint her as a ballerina. StinkyKids is a brand with a fun, unique and fresh approach that teaches life’s lessons through its products and books featuring 10 diverse StinkyKids characters. The StinkyKids characters are little stinKers who learn to make right choices through their childhood mistakes and who live by the motto:  “Always Be a Leader of Good.”  StinkyKids is an innovative brand that appeals to parents for the values it represents and to kids because the characters are real kids getting into real mischief. Since inception, StinkyKids donates 10 percent of its profits to Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc., a charity founded in honor of Britt’s aunt who died from uterine cancer. Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. delivers gift boxes to children and adults fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. To learn more about the organization and StinkyKids, visit the StinkyKids website at www.StinkyKids.com.