HHS Drama Club Presents Seussical this Weekend
March 24, 2023
The curtain will go up three times this weekend for the Huntington High School drama club’s production of the delightful musical, “Seussical.”
The actors and stage crew members have nailed down their roles during weeks of rehearsals. Huntington UFSD’s third graders saw an abbreviated version of the show earlier this week and if the youngsters’ reaction is any guide, audiences are in for a real treat this weekend.
The curtain goes up on Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door priced at $10. Saturday’s matinee performance is free for senior citizens (65 years old and up).
The cast includes (in order of appearance) Jack Semelsberger, Sofia Rodriguez, Sam James, Michaela Dopico, Lily Wasoski, Sam Soric, Josie Sullivan, Liva Camarata, Dylan Brinn, Emily Kustera, Alexa Schirripa, Ariana James, David Chavez, Landry Flynn, Kyra Scott, Alex Tine, Lily Tierney and William Berry.
The ensemble includes Jake Amend, Zaida Correal, Alex Tine, Walter Lopez, Sophia Tine, Isabella Cruz Ponce, Maggie O’Toole, Chloe Hunt, Alexis Rodriguez, Mason Gomez, Madeline Francis, Linnea Wong, Layna Abraham, Sarah Corwin, Delia Caruso, Mia Molina, William Berry and Lily Tierney.
The pit orchestra consists of: Violin I: Matthew Jimenez, McKenna Buffa, DeAndre Simmons; Violin II: Tyler Wheeler, Renata Meiram, Adrian Toribio; Viola: Amalia Heinz, Rachel Huth; Cello: Charlie Siepel, Nina Fascilla; Bass: Matthew Armstrong Flute: Emma Hannigan, Isabella Limai; Clarinet: Cecilia Kye; Saxophone: Rachel Morina, Nadeera Ali, Abby Schueller; Trumpet I: Emma Glascock; Trumpet II: Liam LaVertu; Trombone: Ashley Berrell; Drums: Jackson Danseglio, Ibukun Olabomi; Percussion: Vincenza Garofalo, Lily Froggatt Bale, Katherine Estrada Morales; Keyboard I: Victoria Garbarino; Keyboard II: Danielle Mendikyan
The stage crew includes Ethan Ambrosio, Reina Andrade, Jordana Boxer, Hannah Byers, Abdiel Castillo, Katerina Damiano, Richard Davis, Jr., Mariana Diaz, Annika Galvin, Jonah Gillenwater, Clarissa Marcelino-LaQua, Michelle Mejia, Michael Mendikyan, Ibukun Olabomi, Jillian Pascucci, Deandre Simmons and Emma Waters.
Michael Schwendemann is the show’s director and is also handling musical staging. Katherine Schmelter is the musical director and Victoria Garbario is the vocal coach. Mike Zigon and Dave Semelsberger are the technical directors. Victoria Garbarino is attending to choreography with Carrie Semelsberger handling props and costume design and set decoration. David Chavez and Ariana James are the dance captains. Aria Hannah also worked on costume design. Costume assistants include Koi Crowder and Aisy Franciscovich. Ellen Fleury created the highly regarded showbill. Darin Reed snapped promotional photos.
“‘Seussical’ – the show people love to hate,” Mr. Schwendemann said. “Is it the story? Is it the music? Is it Seuss? Admittedly, before we started the rehearsal process, I myself was a naysayer, now I consider ‘Seussical’ the show I learned to love. Once I began to work on the show, the thinks I thought suddenly began to change – it was more than a group of Dr. Seuss characters thrown together singing songs. Horton and JoJo sit at the center of our story, both outcasts from society —or is Horton just a manifestation of JoJo’s imagination? — Horton for believing when no one else would and JoJo for thinking his ‘thinks.’ Both characters could have easily rolled over and conformed to society in order to be accepted, instead they stick with their beliefs when everyone is against them.”
It’s been a hectic week as everyone associated with show, worked to iron out last minute wrinkles. Audience are in for a real treat.
“When you scratch the surface of ‘Seussical’ there’s more there than meets the eye — give us a chance and you might learn to love it, too,” Mr. Schwendemann said.
