The 1st Street Players delivered a delightful ‘Seussical the Musical’
Sometimes great things come in small packages — such is the case with the 1st Street Players productions where they put on big shows in their small 100-seat theater. Their version of “Seussical the Musical,” the youth edition, ran for only one weekend, but it played to enthusiastic, sold-out audiences. Don’t let the “youth edition” label ever discourage you – these are full stage productions with complex choreography, great costumes and a talented cast that probably includes some future Broadway performers.
A cast of 40 brought the timeless tales of Dr. Seuss to life with an energy and upbeat attitude that was infectious.
Heading up the cast was Ryan Cunningham as the charming Cat in the Hat who weaves the tales together. Also turning in dynamic performances were Colin Lynch as Horton, Cheyenne Hails as Gertrude: Meghan O’Neill as Mayzie and on Saturday afternoon, Zach Green as Jojo ( the role was double cast —Bence Veres also played the part for alternate performances).
Michael Confalone as Mr. Mayor and Julie Keller as Mrs. Mayor showed off their comedic as well as vocal skills.
Kristen Suruskie as Sour Kangaroo and Claire Cunningham as Baby Kangaroo added sassy attitude to their roles.
All the other cast members delivered some memorable and complex song and dance routines. They are: Yertle the Turtle/ Grinch, Brendon Murray; Vlad Vladikoff, Aaron Higgins; Cindy Lou Who, Laina Keller; Bird Girls, Horton the Elephant is played by Colin Lynch, center, andGertrude McFuzz by Cheyenne Hails in “Seussical the Musical.”
Nicole Greenfield, Andrea Keck, Paulina Cevallos, Katie Lindsley, Megan Centeno and Molly O’Brien; Wickershams, Tyler Montgomery, Joe Kelley, David Eurillo, David Hutchko and Nolan Watts; The Who Ensemble: Natalie Brown, Allison Cregar, Maddie Cunningham, Ben Daniels, Dakota Dengler,
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Stephen Eurillo, Ryan Ferrante, Sarah Geiger, Blake Goerner, Emily Leiboff, Bridget Ottinger, Emily Shirk and The Jungle Ensemble: Erin Hutchko, Keely Shellhamer, Nolan Brownand Lucille Knepp.
The ‘Things’ (stage crew) were Jenn Brown, Deb Kasdras, Maria Hutchko, Maddy Okkerse, Olivia Shown here are Michael Confalone as Mr. Mayor, left, Bence Veres as his son, and Julie Keller as Mrs. Mayor in “Seussical the Musical.”
Gardella, Andrew Bausher.
The show was directed by Melissa Kaufmann, with Bill Eschbach as stage manager. Choreography was by Megan Centeno and Melissa Kaufmann, and musical direction by Julie Keller and Melissa Kaufmann.
Up next in the spring will be a youth production of “Jungle Book” and the
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area premier of “Murder Ballad” with an adult cast.
Perfromances are at the Birdsboro Community Theater, 301 E. 1st St. in Birdsboro. For more information, call 610-2208209, email 1ststreetplayers@gmail.com or go to www.1ststreetplayers.com or 1st Street Players on Facebook.