Judy Moody is on a mission: she wants to become famous.

Judy desperately wants her picture on the front page of the local newspaper just like Jessica Finch, her archrival at school whose picture was in the paper after winning the town-wide spelling bee. 

Judy begins to plot out how she, like Jessica, can become famous. But what is it exactly that will bring her fame?

Judy’s competitive nature isn’t reserved only for Jessica. Sibling rivalry plays a big role in her relationship with her kid brother, James, otherwise known as Stink. Stink, who has as an uncanny sense of smell, seems to get all the breaks, according to Judy.

Through a series of mishaps, Judy begins to realize that no matter how hard she tries, she may not have what it takes to become famous. She seems stuck until she befriends Laura, a young girl her age who is struggling to recover from a heart transplant. 

Ironically, Judy’s new-found ability to put her own goals aside while cheering up Laura has a very positive impact on her. She gains a whole new perspective that fame is fleeting but sacrificing your own needs to benefit another can provide rewards more satisfying than she ever imagined.

Judy Moody and Stink is a poignant and humorous one-hour musical that portrays the plight of a young girl trying to find her place at home, in school, and among her community.

ArtsPower's fun and poignant musical is accompanied by our Activities Guides that includes actor interviews, behind-the-scenes videos, an interview with author Megan McDonald, learning to act in a scene from the show, and playwriting.

The show's themes focus on family, exploration, self-discovery, and adventure.