For some of us, Seussical: the Musical will be a trip to our childhood; for some, the stories will be new adventures to discover. One thing is true for everyone, Seussical: the Musical is good fun with uplifting stories from the mind of Dr. Seuss featuring earworm-worthy music.
~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~
The Story
Seussical: the Musical is based on many Dr. Seuss stories, including Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, Horton Hatches the Egg, and many others. Many of us will recognize these stories from our childhood, delightfully so. These familiar tales have an added dimension, music, song, and dance.
One of the most performed musicals in the country, Seussical: the Musical, is a lovely trip back to childhood. Each story features different musical styles ranging from R&B, Funk, Swing, Gospel, Latin, and more. The music will permeate your brain, and you will walk away with an earworm that may last for days.
Seussical the Musical is for all ages and will be an experience you won’t soon forget.
Check out photos from Seussical: the Musical.
The Performances
Filled with fantastic performances topped off with extraordinary performances, RLT’s production of Seussical: the Musical will leave you more than satisfied; it will leave you wanting to see it again. Much of the cast is new to RLT but certainly not new to performing. Blending together like a glove to a Grinch, these performers are delightful as they tell the fantastic stories of Dr. Seuss, stories filled with lessons to take to heart.
Eric Boudreau plays the Cat in the Hat with just the right amount of bizarre mixed with compassion. Boudreau is the perfect Cat in the Hat.
Imani Valle played Jojo on the night when we saw Seussical: the Musical and shares this role with Eli Espinosa. Imani’s singing voice is wonderfully expressive, bringing life to Jojo.
Michael Rapisora plays Horton, the elephant with a heart larger than the largest pachyderm in the land. Rapisora plays Horton with the joy and passion that draws the audience into his challenges. Rapisora is an outstanding actor; it was a pleasure to see him in the role of Horton.
Seussical: the Musical is a challenging play to produce, with 18 actors, music, dance, and an emotional yet surreal story. These actors bring these stories to life on the stage with as much color as the classic storybooks would ever hope to.
I have to congratulate Shea King and all the cast and crew on creating a wonderfully enjoyable production of Seussical :the Musical.
The set
Reno Little Theater is known for giving us brilliant sets with spot-on technical elements. Seussical: the Musical is over the top, even by RLT’s standards.
Bringing the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life on a live stage seems like a challenging task. RLT took on that challenge and built a set worthy of the timeless stories of Dr. Seuss. Colorful and surreal, the set is one that the audience will enjoy as much as the performances.
The Bottom Line
This is the show to share with your kids or grandkids. A delight for the whole family, Seussical: the Musical is the family-friendly choice for this Artown season. Even if you are not a kid anymore, you will be when you sit in the audience to see Seussical: the Musical.
And as an added treat, RLT offers backstage tours after every Sunday matinee. The cast members will lead the tours, which is an excellent way for the kids to get a glimpse behind the curtain.
Seussical: the Musical
By Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Directed by: Shea King
Choreographed by: Nate Hodges
Vocal Director: Abby Rosen
CAST
Eric Boudreau as Cat in the Hat
Imani Valle as Jojo (7/2, 7/8, 7/14, 7/16, 7/27, 7/28, 7/29, 7/30)
Eli Espinosa as Jojo (6/30, 7/1, 7/7, 7/9, 7/13, 7/15, 7/20, 7/21, 7/22, 7/23)
Michael Rapisora as Horton
Marissa Sanseri as Mayzie
Maddy Regrut as Gertrude
Hannah Blayney as Sour Kangaroo
Adam Semas as Wickersham/Mayor
Moira Laughlin as Bird Girl/Mrs.Mayor
Quentin Powers as Wickersham/General
Trevor Young as Grinch/Yertle/Ensemble
Serena Dantzler as Bird Girl
B Falk as Bird Girl/Wickersham
Cassidy Buchan as Bird Girl
Ann Black as Ensemble
Elle Vaughn as Ensemble
Ava Nobert as Ensemble
CREW
Assistant Directors: Melina Frogget & Jordan Pettipiece
Stage Manager: Audra McCarroll
Assistant Stage Manager: Alexis Huckaby
Scenic, Lighting, Sound & Prop Design: Chad Sweet
Asst. Lighting Design: Jess Brown
Asst. Scenic Design: Gage Baile
Accent & Dialect Coach: Rosie Brownlow-Calkin
Costumes: Julie D. Roberston
Dramaturg: Jordan Pettipiece
Performance Dates
June 30 July 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 @ 7:30pm
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 2pm
RENO LITTLE THEATER
Est. 1935
147 E. Pueblo St. Reno, NV 89502
(775) 813-8900
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