Tickets are selling fast for our exciting production of the musical, Seussical JR., to be presented in three shows on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19. Colorful and creative scenery and fantastical costumes of Dr. Seuss-themed characters will bring Whoville and its many charming creatures to life.

Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for general admission and can be purchased online at acseht.org/drama or at the door. Seating will be first-come, first-served. The November 18 show is at 7 p.m. and on November 19 there are two shows — at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“A talented group of volunteers — including ACS teachers, staff, students, and parents — have been working hard since the first week of October to create the colorful and dynamic scenery and costumes for this show,” said Director Genevieve Huff, who is also an ACS 3rd grade teacher. “The audience will feel like they’re walking into a Dr. Seuss storybook and we’re so grateful for the countless hours that our volunteers have spent to make this show visually spectacular.”

ACS Art Teacher Sherry Mirakian has headed up a team of some 25 volunteers who have focused on the scenery — creating and painting the backdrop, the Pill-Berry Bush, glow-in-the-dark fish, and other props for the show. The student Set Design Club has worked diligently on Thursdays during school and additional volunteers have served after school and in the evenings for the past two weeks.

ACS Computer Teacher Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney and Instructional Specialist Bethany Kiefer have been focusing on costumes. Hahn-Chaney, who majored in fashion design in college and worked for several years at fashion houses in Manhattan, made the costumes for the six Bird Girls and the lead characters of Maizy LaBird and Gertrude McFuzz, and made the ears and tails for the six monkey-like creatures known as the Wickersham Brothers.

“We have so many talented faculty and staff members who have given of their time and talents to make this show really memorable,” Huff said. “It’s been a blessing to work with them.”

Some of  the individuals involved in set design and scenery include: Ava Aragon-Franks, Stephanie Ballester, Kendall Bouchard, Gabe Capito, Sophia Capito, Caelyn Domsic, Aine Dorsey, Noriko Dorsey, Gabrielle Franks, Keira Frontino, Gabriella Goodwin, Autumn Henson, Victoria Hines, Mark Huff, Gracie Leon, Malena Meyer, Raquel Mitchell, Bryce Mooney, Aryana Mossbrook, Rowlee Murphy, Iannair Ramirez, Sophia Rose, Isabella Saad, Patti Scardilli, Ben Smith, Gianna Ulerio, and Taylor Vola.

Individuals who volunteered as costume helpers include Stephanie Ballester, Caeli Barbour, Brittany Correa, Ashley Gonzalez, Malena Meyer, Jenny Riveros, and Rowynn Shevlin.

Congratulations to the 45 students from the 3rd to 12th grades who were recently selected for the cast of our November 18-19 production of the musical “Seussical, JR.”  Show Director Genevieve Huff got rehearsals underway in mid-September and the cast members have been working hard perfecting their singing, dancing, and choreography at their Tuesday and Thursday after-school rehearsals.

There will be three performances of Seussical, JR. — on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Show tickets are on sale and seating will be first-come, first-served at acseht.org/drama. Ticket prices will be $8 for students and $10 for general admission. Ads and boosters to appear in the show’s playbill and electronic ads can be purchased now online at: acseht.org/drama. The ad submission deadline is Monday, November 7, 2022.

“We are so excited to be putting together another fall musical at ACS,” said Huff, who also directed last year’s Peter Pan JR. musical.  “Seussical JR. is a lively show filled with colorful characters from Dr. Seuss stories and tells a tale with heartwarming themes of friendship, loyalty, and uniqueness.” Huff is also joined by the staff of last year’s successful production — Tim Rosie, as Musical Director; Amy Parker, as Choreographer, and Lee Martin as Technical Director. ACS art teacher Sherry Mirakian will once again be creating the scenery and staff members Bethany Kiefer and Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney will oversee costumes. Faculty member Amy Williams will serve as production assistant.

Huff noted that the show is challenging the actors with some more advanced harmonies and choreography. “There is nonstop singing and dancing and we’re working hard, while having fun in the process, to make this an entertaining show that will delight the young and old in the audience,” Huff said.

The role of The Cat in the Hat will be played by 12th grader Evan Power. Other main characters include Jojo, an imaginative and misunderstood young child, played by 5th grader Megan Connolly; Horton, a compassionate and determined elephant, played by 10th grader Joshua Kinch; Gertrude McFuzz, a shy bird who falls in love with Horton and wants to help him, played by 11th grader Ryleigh Martin; Mayzie, Horton’s fun loving bird neighbor, played by 6th grader Sophia Gomez; and Sour Kangaroo, the matriarch of the Jungle of Nool, played by 11th grader Vera Huff. Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor are being played by 5th grader Joey Kinch and 6th grader Lena Daugherty.

There are several groups of fun characters in the story line, including The Wickershams, The Whos, the Bird Girls, and the Jungle Citizens, and curious characters like Thing 1, Thing 2, Judge Yertle the Turtle, and, of course, The Grinch.  Pictured below are the members of the Seussical JR. cast after a recent rehearsal.