Seussical the Musical!

Amherst PTA Presents – ‘Seussical the Musical’  The Amherst PTA is getting ready for it’s 62nd production, this year presenting ‘Seussical the Musical’ on the Souhegan High School stage April 10th – 13th.      Don’t miss it as your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life.  Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination. The colorful 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 containing 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 to 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. For 62 years students, teachers and would be thespians and production crew from the greater Souhegan Valley area have been coming together to put on a musical for the Amherst PTA.  The cast includes people of all ages from seven to seventy and this year's cast is no different. It is not only a local tradition but also a family affair with several members from the same family sharing the stage. This is Michelle Emmond’s 35th PTA production and she looks forward to giving back to the Amherst Schools in this very special fundraiser as well as having the opportunity to act alongside her students at Amherst Middle School.   Over the years, Michelle has also shared the stage with two of her three children, Christy and Jason, as well as her husband Jim who has served as musical director on several past productions.  Michelle plays a Bird Girl.  "I always enjoy getting the dances right and feeling that we've peaked at the right time to bring the best show possible to the Amherst community." Evmorfia Alton, a  sixth grader at Amherst Middle School is playing Jojo and shares the stage with her mother Irene who plays also plays a Bird Girl and her sister Sophia a third grader at Wilikins School who plays a Wickersham Brother.  " I wanted to audition for this play because I had heard from my mom how much fun the PTA plays are and I had played Gertrude in Seussical Jr. this past summer at the Boys and Girls Club and loved it.  I wanted to be part it for our community!" Amherst Middle School seventh grader Lucy Stover, who is playing Thing #2, will be sharing the stage with her mother, Jennifer, who is playing a jungle creature.  Stover stated in a recent interview that “the best thing about playing Thing #2 is the fact this character gets to be crazy and run around." She continued by saying "The best part about the play is that we come together as a community every year to raise money for the PTA." Souhegan High School Freshmen, Matt Katisiganis is playing a Wickersham Brother and will share the stage with his mother, Janine who is playing a Who.  Katisiganis stated, "I have been trying to get my mom to audition for the PTA play for two years and I am so excited we are finally doing a show together. Karen Hammes of Milford is playing Mrs. Mayor and is sharing the stage with her husband Steve who plays opposite her as Mr. Mayor and her daughters Katie and Megan who are Bird Girls.  "This is my first principal role. I have really enjoyed having a part that is more involved in the show as a whole and playing opposite of my husband." She went on to say,  "I love the people, the community, and the production team. Seussical is just an all around fun show!" Robin Lacroix returns to directing the PTA Play after a five year hiatus.  "The time these adults, most who hold down full-time jobs as well as family, give to raise money for the Amherst school system is simply inspiring.  To watch them be silly after a long day makes me so happy.  I look forward to each and every rehearsal and leave each one invigorated." When asked why she chose to direct Seussical, Robin stated " I especially like it for the ensemble nature - yes there are primary characters but wow - what a great assortment of other roles that allows so many people to be on the stage.  That's what makes this show a great fit for PTA:  many, many roles, all different ages, super fun music and dance, and creativity abounding in the costumes and set." Seussical the Musical is directed by Robin Lacroix, with Kim Whitehead as Music Director and Liz Calabria as Choreographer. Stage Manager Sharron April, Producers Jackie O’Dowd and Rita Piotrowski and Production Assistant Heidi Kerris.  Seussical The Musical will be performed April 10th-13th at the Souhegan High School Theater, 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH. Performances are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at 2pm.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.  And can be bought through Brown Paper Tickets at:http://amherstptaseussical.brownpapertickets.com/ Or at our local tickets outlet: The Black Forest Café and Bakery, Moulton’s Market, and The Homestead Grocery and Deli in Amherst and The Toadstool Bookshop in Milford.  This show will be fun for all ages! You won't want to miss it!