Seussical Leaves Cast, Crew & Orchestra Elated
March 29, 2023
The Huntington High School drama club’s production of “Seussical” left the cast, crew and pit orchestra feeling great after three spectacular performances drew crowds last weekend.
The show’s cast included (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 musical this past weekend was amazing,” Alexa Schirripa said. “Everyone collaborated as a team and made something unforgettable.”
The ensemble included 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.
“I think the musical was amazing,” Josie Sullivan said. “All the hard work we’ve been putting into the show really paid off. I’m super proud of the whole cast.”
The pit orchestra consisted 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
“In the end, it all came together really well and we got an even bigger turnout than we expected,” Landry Flynn said. “We’re so thankful for everyone who took the time to come see the show!”
The stage crew included 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.
“I think that ‘Seussical’ went absolutely beautifully,” Sofia Rodriguez said. “Along with the rest of the cast, I couldn’t be more happy with how well our three performances turned out. We put in months of hard work and long hours into creating the show audiences were able to see this past weekend. I had more fun than I could ever express, doing so. I’m so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful production, with the most wonderful people and I’ll forever love and remember every part of the experience!”
Michael Schwendemann was the show’s director and also handled musical staging. Katherine Schmelter was the musical director and Victoria Garbario was the vocal coach. Mike Zigon and Dave Semelsberger were the technical directors. Victoria Garbarino attended to choreography with Carrie Semelsberger handling props, costume design and set decoration. David Chavez and Ariana James were the dance captains. Aria Hannah also worked on costume design. Costume assistants included Koi Crowder and Aisy Franciscovich. Ellen Fleury created the highly regarded showbill. Darin Reed snapped promotional photos.
“I felt like everything went amazing,” David Chavez said. “The show was so fun and interactive, hearing the crowd laugh made everyone in the production so happy. Truly an amazing weekend for everyone involved.”
So many hours went into rehearsing the show and music, building the sets and attending to dozens of little details behind the scenes the curtain closed following the Saturday night show, everyone felt elated, but exhausted.
“I think the play went really well,” Emma Glascock said. “This was my first time participating in the pit orchestra and it had a really difficult learning curve, so I am really proud of how far we came between our first rehearsal and our last performance. It was a lot of fun and made me wish I participated last year, too.”
There were cheers and tears after the final show last weekend. “I think the musical went really well,” Liva Camarata said. “I had a great time performing in it. I was so glad that I got to perform with such an amazingly talented cast.”
Theater-goers appreciate all the hard work that went into making the show a success. “I loved being in the musical,” Jack Semelsberger said. “I think everyone put all their energy and effort into this show and it truly paid off seeing and hearing how much people loved seeing it.”
Year after year the Huntington drama club stages a pair of shows; a drama or comedy in the fall and a musical in the spring.
“The musical this weekend was so fun,” Michaela Dopico said. “Everything went so well and everyone did so great. I love being with them and I’m so proud of everyone.”
The drama club is a tightknit group comprised of many of the most talented teenagers at Huntington High School. They all took pride in last weekend’s production.
“It was so much fun and was a total success,” Emily Kustera said.
