Richter's Vibrant Seussical the Musical is Family Fun at its Finest

Photo credit to David Henningsen.Photo credit to David Henningsen.

Seussical the Musical, one of the most performed shows in America, has come to Musicals at Richter this summer Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August 12th. Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza that follows several of Dr. Seuss’ famous tales: such as “The Cat in the Hat,” “Horton Hears a Who,” “Gertrude McFuzz,” and more.  Along with timeless characters like Horton the Elephant (Dani Assis), and The Cat in the Hat (Robert Bria, Musicals at Richter Executive Director), Seussical protagonist is little boy with a big imagination – Jojo (Jesse Goodman), the son of Whoville’s Mayor (Steve Taliaferro), and his wife (Shannon Grumet). The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, who was sent off to military school with General Gengus Khan Schmidtz (Mike Armstrong) for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces many challenges challenges. He not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, like the Sour Kangaroo (Aaron-Noel Treppeda), the Young Kangaroo (Samantha Treppeda), Vlad Vladikoff (Katie Girardot) and the Wickersham Brothers (Will Armstrong, Andre Grigorio, and Stephen Moore),  but he is charged to guard an egg by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird (Cat Tron), when she abandons it in his care by. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz (Carly Post) never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Richter brings this life and energy to this story with amazing performances by the entire cast, ingenious stage design and lighting (by Jake Liam McGuire of Brewster), and creative choreography (by director Lauren Nicole Sherwood). Jesse Goodman’s inquisitive and thoughtful portrayal of Jojo brings the story to life along with the Cat in the Hat, portrayed by Robert Bria, energizes audiences with his storytelling throughout the show. The Cat in the Hat is helped in this endeavour by the mischievous Thing 1 & 2, performed by the entertaining Emma Lubbers and Viktoria Wulff-Andersen. The show brought the audience to tears with both laughter and sorrow. The upbeat and jazz-like stylings of Aaron-Noel Treppeda during the Sour Kangaroo’s solos were amazing, and Samantha Treppeda’s Young Kangaroo was just as strong and twice as cute. The Bird Girls (Emma Giorgio, Elizabeth Koennecke, Christina Kompar, and Beth Saultz) also showcased great vocal talent in featured parts of songs like “Amayzing Mayzie” and “Egg, Nest, and Tree.” 

Dance talent and other skills were showcased in various songs. “It’s possible (In McElligot’s Pool)” had wonderful fishes performed by Rose Giardiello, Lainey Grumet, Mikayla Haran, Emma Jardim, Jacquelyn Matchen, Audrey Mercer, Viola Minor, and Hannah Talbott. “The Circus McGurkus” had Julia Clark, Cairo Cuneo, Nicole DeMotte, Madeline Olexy, and Jessica Olexy all performing talents like Ballet, Gymnastics, Magic and more. The Citizens of Whoville, including favorites like Cindy Lou Who (Viola Minor), the Grinch (Kevin McCarthy), and Max the Dog (Jacqueline Matchen) along with chorus members Kimberly Armstrong, Dolly Conner, Susa Gelb, Carolyn McCarthy, Olivia Minor, Ruth Post, Brailyn Rodriguez, Rose Gairdiello, Lainey Grumet, Mikayla Haran, Emma Jardim, Audrey Mercer, and Hannah Talbott, have multiple fun dances as Whos as well. The Hunches, Julia Berardo, Julia Clark, Elizabeth Clayton, Ciara Cuneo, Nicole Demotte, Shannon Gondoly, Dara Johnson, Michaela Milmerstadt, Madeline Olexy, Jessica Olexy, and Curtis Rodrigues, in “Havin’ a Hunch” have a great jazz-inspired routine that leads Jojo home after walking into a minefield to stand up for what he believes in. 

But right before the Hunches come to help, the song “Solla Sollew” leaves no dry eye, due to the lovely voices and acting of Goodman, Dan Assisi, Steve Taliaferro, and Shannon Grumet. Despite this, the end is happy. Carly Post’s Gertrude McFuzz’s tale of pride, failure, struggle, endurance, and kindness comes to a finale in her song “All for You”. Gertrude has saved Horton, Horton and Jojo have saved Who, ad everyone is happy, including the audience.  

Musicals at Richter's Seussical the Musical, directed by Lauren Nicole Sherwood with music direction by Zachary Kampler, is a heartwarming fun-loving musical and a great way to end the summer. Perfect for kids of all ages!

“Seussical” performances are Friday through Sunday evenings through August 12 at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Tickets for “Seussical” are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students (with ID), and $10 for children 10 and under. For the additional Thursday performances on August 3 and 10, tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door.

Grounds open at 7:15 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:30 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating. Group rates are available with advance reservation; chair rentals and soft drink/snack concessions are available on-site.

Photo credit David Henningsen Photography.

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Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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