Spotlight Arts is thrilled to present its talented local students this weekend who will be taking the stage at the Brewster High School Performing Arts Center on July 20th and 21st to perform in Spotlight Arts Inc.’s summer mainstage production of “SEUSSICAL.” “Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza. Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. 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. "SEUSSICAL" is a fun outing for the whole family.
This summer's Spotlight Arts mainstage cast consists of talented local students ages 8-18 from Brewster, Carmel, Holmes, Hopewell Junction, Mahopac, Patterson, Ridgefield and Yorktown. Spotlight Arts’ mainstage program provides local students with a professional theatre performance education through a large-scale commercial production directed by industry professionals. Eric Leiggi returns to direct and choreograph the mainstage production with Spotlight Arts Executive Director Stephanie Rubino as the production’s producer and musical director. Rounding out the production team, Sarah Daleo provided assistant direction and Joanne Archibald served as the production’s assistant musical director. “This mainstage production was particularly more challenging this year with the production being completely sung from beginning to end,” says Executive Director Stephanie Rubino. “There were a massive amount of vocals in this show that our cast learned at a very intensive pace. The musical theatre and vocal talent in our area and mainstage program is superb and I think this production really highlights that.” The cast rehearsed three days per week for a short six-week period before moving into tech week to prepare for this weekend’s performances.