The works of Dr. Seuss will come alive on stage next week as Greece Arcadia High School students perform in "Seussical."
Familiar faces from several Dr. Seuss books appear in the show, including from "Horton Hears a Who!" and "The Cat in the Hat." The set, with its bold colors and vivid scenery, mimics many Seuss books.
More than 30 students, including some from Arcadia Middle School, are performing in the show, a smaller number than "Beauty and the Beast," which will be staged in the spring. The show tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including JoJo, who is sent off to a butter battling military school. Horton's care of the speck of dust and Mayzie LaBird's egg make him the subject of taunting. Gertrude McFuzz tries to change who she is to capture Horton's eye and JoJo ends saving the day.
The story offers a little romance, some drama, and a very important lesson that it's okay to be different and unique.
Kristy Kosko, vocal musical director for Arcadia, said she chose this musical because it supports the district's anti-bullying push in the wake of the bullied bus monitor incident last year. She and her students said they hope that message resonates with the audience.
"It's a story of inspiration," eighth-grader Ethan Pawlukiewicz said.
Indeed, the show is accredited by Theatre for Young Audiences USA, meaning it is appropriate for children as young as 3. Recently, the cast performed part of the show for students at English Village Elementary, and they were "intently engaged," Kosko said.
Auditions were held in August and rehearsals have been running since. Working alongside a small group of people creates a lot of longlasting friendships, according to Kevin Pinzke, 17.
"That's one of the best perks of performing," he said.
"I have best friends [in the show]. The greatest people, you meet here," he said. "And I love performing. It's my passion. It's great."
Junior Bridgette Meskel, who started at Arcadia this year, said she's already formed a closeknit group with her fellow actors.
"Everybody has been very welcoming," she said. "I love the warmth of everyone."
Kosko said the students are good at pushing each other to do their best, and encouraging each other when they struggle. All of them have the same goal – to be a good team and put on a great show, noting that each player is "only as good as our weakest link."
The works of Dr. Seuss will come alive on stage next week as Greece Arcadia High School students perform in "Seussical."
Familiar faces from several Dr. Seuss books appear in the show, including from "Horton Hears a Who!" and "The Cat in the Hat." The set, with its bold colors and vivid scenery, mimics many Seuss books.
More than 30 students, including some from Arcadia Middle School, are performing in the show, a smaller number than "Beauty and the Beast," which will be staged in the spring. The show tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including JoJo, who is sent off to a butter battling military school. Horton's care of the speck of dust and Mayzie LaBird's egg make him the subject of taunting. Gertrude McFuzz tries to change who she is to capture Horton's eye and JoJo ends saving the day.
The story offers a little romance, some drama, and a very important lesson that it's okay to be different and unique.
Kristy Kosko, vocal musical director for Arcadia, said she chose this musical because it supports the district's anti-bullying push in the wake of the bullied bus monitor incident last year. She and her students said they hope that message resonates with the audience.
"It's a story of inspiration," eighth-grader Ethan Pawlukiewicz said.
Indeed, the show is accredited by Theatre for Young Audiences USA, meaning it is appropriate for children as young as 3. Recently, the cast performed part of the show for students at English Village Elementary, and they were "intently engaged," Kosko said.
Auditions were held in August and rehearsals have been running since. Working alongside a small group of people creates a lot of longlasting friendships, according to Kevin Pinzke, 17.
"That's one of the best perks of performing," he said.
"I have best friends [in the show]. The greatest people, you meet here," he said. "And I love performing. It's my passion. It's great."
Junior Bridgette Meskel, who started at Arcadia this year, said she's already formed a closeknit group with her fellow actors.
"Everybody has been very welcoming," she said. "I love the warmth of everyone."
Kosko said the students are good at pushing each other to do their best, and encouraging each other when they struggle. All of them have the same goal – to be a good team and put on a great show, noting that each player is "only as good as our weakest link."
"Theater is not about 'me.' It's about 'us,'" she said.
Jackie Capita, a junior, plays Birdy Girl, one of the leads. This is her first time in a high school musical.
"It's definitely a lot more challenging," she said, pointing to high expectations.
The show boasts 35 songs and is "sung-through," meaning there's no dialogue. Peforming to an instrumental track, which the kids do, is another challenge. But the performers thrive on it.
"All the hard work and dedication you put into it – it's just worth it," Molly Beyene said.
"Seussical" will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9; Saturday, Nov. 10; Friday, Nov. 16; Saturday, Nov. 17; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 and Sunday Nov. 18. Tickets cost $12 and are available at Wegmans.
