This summer, NCTC Performing Arts Theatre, home of Newington Children’s Theatre, will produce the Broadway hit SEUSSICAL, starring 35 children from 10 Connecticut towns. Performances are July 23 through July 26.
Based on the popular stories by Dr. Seuss, SEUSSICAL leads its audience to “think of thinks” where anything is possible: “an elephant up in a tree, a person too tiny to see … from the Planet of Who and the smallest of small, to the jungle of Nool and the largest of all.” When Horton the Elephant goes out on a limb to save Whoville and protect the egg of his neighbor Mayzie La Bird, adventure begins in the Jungle of Nool. It’s going to take the Cat in the Hat, the smallest of the Whos, and a flock of Seuss favorites to save their world!
“If you’ve never seen SEUSSICAL,” says Jason Sirois, stage director for the show, “come see what you’re missing. If you’ve seen it before, you know that SEUSSICAL is for children and adults of all ages. Come enjoy it again, and watch for dozens of Seuss references you may have missed the first time.”
Conceived by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (book and music), along with Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, the Grammy-nominated score features a variety of musical styles, including pop, ballads, gospel, blues, and R&B. The show is based on the works of Theodore Geisel, who wrote and illustrated 44 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Geisel’s works have won a Pulitzer Prize and three Academy awards, as well as provided the material and inspiration for television specials and Hollywood films.
The talented young cast of SEUSSICAL is made up of 35 children ranging in age from 8 to 14, who have come together from 10 Connecticut towns: Berlin, Farmington, Hebron, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Southington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Willington. The production, which is the culmination of NCTC’s Summer Stages program, is directed by Jason Sirois, a native of Newington who currently lives and works in New York City.
SEUSSICAL is presented at NCTC Performing Arts Theatre, located at 743 North Mountain Road in Newington. Performances are Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. (already sold out); Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors. Special group rates and party packages are available. NCTC’s 100-seat theatre often sells out; call the company in advance at 860-666-6282 to ensure that tickets are available. For more information on NCTC, visit www.nctcarts.org.
