'Seussical the Musical' New Milford High students present their all-school musical

The bright lights are about to shine on a colorful, all-school musical at New Milford High School.

"Seussical the Musical" will debut this evening (Friday) for the first of six stagings of a fast-paced romp based on the works of Dr. Seuss. The show is appropriate for all ages.

Tickets are still available for some shows. The NMHS musicals typically sell out for all presentations.

Evening performances will be presented this evening, tomorrow (Saturday), March 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances will be given this Sunday, March 21, at 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m.

All seating is reserved at $10 per ticket. For more information or for tickets, call the box office at 860-350-6647 ext. 1552.

"Seussical" is a musical based on the Broadway show that opened in 2000. Stephen Flaherty created the music, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and the tandem combined talents for the book.

The plot focuses on the efforts of the big-hearted Horton the Elephant, portrayed by Billy Hicks, to save the people of Who-ville from destruction. In his travels, Horton befriends JoJo, played by Kelsey Brofford, a Who boy who has been accused of thinking.

Their escapades and those of the other colorful characters along the way are narrated and often misguided by the charming yet trouble-making Cat in the Hat, portrayed by Jimmy Bain.

The play is directed by NMHS choral director Bob Keck and produced by faculty member Steve Donahue, with choreography by Debbie McGuire.

Featured in the 68-student cast are Brendan Nabozny and Alexis Willoughby as the mayor of Who-ville and his wife; Catherine McCollian as Gertrude McFuzz; Brianna McNally as Mayzie LaBird; Jessica Bradley as the Sour Kangaroo; Ken Greiter as General Genghis Khan Schmitz; Gianna Dolcimascolo, Emily O'Connor, Erin Stolz and Ana Vargas as Bird Girls; and Wesley Marchena, Ben Bayers and Reid Tuomala as the Wickersham Brothers monkeys.

Music is performed by NMHS band director Jonathan Grauer and Tim Lewis, Jessica Santalesa and Jess Murphy on reeds; Nick Ortiz on piano and tenor saxophone; Mike Vita and John Perrino on trumpets; Anne Mercer and Jackie Hopkins on guitar; Tim Chamberlin on trombone; Kyle Sealund on bass; Eric Ho, Anna Scillitoe, Faith Eherts and Dan Fay on violin; Stephen Anderson on percussion; Kristina Chamberlin on cello and oboe; and Carly Strelez on piano and flute.

Student stage managers are Alexis Ortiz, Patrick Willett and Dan Orcutt.

The sound board is handled by Ian Foss and Jason Principi.

The run crew is patrolled by Kyle Conrad, Bob Nisco, and Hope Mango and Corey Smith as Thing #1 and #2.

Drops are manned by Dan Denault and Patrick Polhemus while props are the auspices of Annie Molinaro and Tess Kaiser.

Jessica Rehaag manages the microphones and Allison D'Amora and Emily Hauser direct the light board.

Jen Cahalane and Theresa DiMascio guide the cast through their many costume changes.

Sarah Moore and Nin Oria-Loureiro are operating the video cameras while Ryan DelMastro, Sean Fugardi and Kyle Kellett control the spotlights.

-- Norm Cummings