Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat) with Charlie Costa (Jojo) and cast.
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) --The MAC PLAYERS, Middletown Arts Center’s community theater group, is kicking off its 2023 season with Seussical, a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Fun for the whole family, Seussical creates the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as it has never been seen before. When chaos erupts in the Jungle of Nool, it will take The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and a gaggle of characters to bring harmony back to their world. The production is entering its final weekend at the Middletown Arts Center (March 10-12), and offers new reserved seating. Fawn Nocera Photography was on hand to take photos.
Based on the book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical features music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and is co-conceived by Eric Idle. Seussical’s colorful Dr. Seuss 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, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.”
Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat) with Charlie Costa (Jojo)
Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant) and cast
Left to right: Victoria Keiser (Mayzie LaBird) (with Colleen Gilgan (Gertrude McFuzz)
Left to right: Lauren Friedman (Mrs. Mayor), Madison Steinert-Santangelo (The Grinch) and Mike Costa (Mr. Mayor)
The MAC Players’ production of Seussical is directed by Kathy Connolly with musical direction by Nicholas Jupinka and choreography direction by Samantha Amaral. The play features Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat), Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant), Colleen Gilgan (Gertrude McFuzz), Victoria Keiser (Mayzie Labird) and Charlie Costa (Jojo).
Remaining performances include Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 at 7:00pm, and Sunday, March 12 at 2:00pm. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $17.50 for students/seniors with new reserved seating. Purchase tickets online at middletownarts.org or call the MAC Box Office at 732.706.4110.
The Middletown Arts Center is located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ (next to the Middletown train station). Free parking is available onsite with additional free parking available in the station-metered lot on weekday evenings after 6:00pm and on weekends.
Here are more photos from the production.
Left to Right: Daniella Macolino (Bird Girl), Amy Chrzanowski (Bird Girl), Ellie Conover (Bird Girl), Rach Phelan (Sour Kangaroo), Brian Smith (Wickershams Brothers), Joseph Bryant (Wickershams Brothers), Aidan Falzon (Wickershams Brothers) and Bethany Miranda (Yertle the Turtle)
Left to Right: Brian Smith (Wickershams Brothers), Joseph Bryant (Wickershams Brothers), Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant) and Aidan Falzon (Wickershams Brothers)
Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat), Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant), Mary Garby (Thing 1) and Vivian Oliver (Thing 2) with Circus McGurkus Members
Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat) with Victoria Keiser (Mayzie LaBird)
Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat) and cast
The Who’s with Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant) (front) and Ronda Christie (Cat in the Hat)
Front Left to Right: Vivian Oliver (Thing 2), Justin Jajalla (Horton the Elephant) and Mary Garby (Thing 1)
Back Left to Right: Daniella Macolino (Bird Girl), Amy Chrzanowski (Bird Girl) and Ellie Conover (Bird Girl)
ALL PHOTOS By Fawn Nocera Photography
