SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL to Play Roanoke Children's Theatre for the Holidays

This holiday season, Roanoke Children's Theatre brings a fantastical, magical, musical adventure to the stage with SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL. Based on the brilliant works of Dr. Seuss, SEUSSICAL, will play December 20-23, 2016 at the Jefferson Center (541 Luck Ave SW). It's the perfect holiday musical for the whole family.

"Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss's magical, musical extravaganza hits the RCT stage in time for the holidays. Favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird and other colorful characters collide and cavort in this fantastical musical story that provides fun and laughter for everyone.

"I am looking forward to having our audiences see SEUSSICAL," says RCT Artistic Director Pat Wilhelms. "It is such a crowd pleaser for all ages. The catchy music, the silly costumes, the gorgeous set, the special effects, and the message; SEUSSICAL has it all. It will be our gift to the valley."

For further information or to buy tickets, patrons may call the box office at 540.345.2550. Patrons may also visit RoanokeChildrensTheatre.org for full details.

This production is backed by an exceptional artistic team of designers and actors.

RCT is pleased to welcome longtime friend, Paul Aguirre, back to the RCT stage starring as Horton. Aguirre previously worked on RCT's debut production of Madeline's Christmas (Harsha/choreographer) and Narnia (Aslan/director/choreographer). As a performer Aguirre has been in the national tours of Billy Elliot, Seussical (w/ Cathy Rigby), The Who's Tommy, My Fair Lady, How To Succeed... and How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Madison Square Garden. Regional productions include In The Heights (Kevin & Piragua Guy), Elf (Macy's Manager), Miss Saigon (The Engineer), Young Frankenstein (Victor), Billy Elliot (w/ Emily Skinner) and Twist (w/ Tamyra Gray) directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen. As a director/choreographer Aguirre has put together such productions as A Chorus Line, Fame, Company, Annie, Into The Woods, Peter Pan, Babes In Arms Romance/Romance, The Wiz and off-Broadway productions of Liberty: a Monumental Musical and Lyz!

The cast of SEUSSICAL also includes Mike Dorsey as Cat in the Hat, Kylie Smith as Gertrude, Caitlin McAvoy as Mayzie and De'Shawn Riley, Jack Fishwick and David Schultz as the Wickersham brothers.

The ensemble of SEUSSICAL includes Savannah Amos, Taylor Berenbaum, Clara Chahine, Peyton Connor, Connor Dunford, Grace Eakin, Simon Elliott, Joe Francis, Ava Giannini, Emma Gwin, Leila Haley, Sophie Hoff, Will Hoff, Chloe Hunt, Sophia Iglesias, Nathan Kellner, Madeline Laucella, Haley Lynch, Abby Martin, Caroline Moledor, James Moledor, Jasper Moore, Hunter Murphy, MiKayla Parker, Ella Polumbo, Taylor Prillaman, Sydney Reichardt, Mary Simmons, Ann Marie Thorell, Bella Turner, Kennady Wade and Jacob Wadstrom.

The creative team includes Director Pat Wilhelms, Choreographer Paul Aguirre, Musical Director Reed Carter, Costume Designer Lillian Fessaro, Set Designer Laurie Powell-Ward, Lighting Designer Rob Bessolo, Stage Manager Megan Corsnitz and Assistant Stage Manager Jeanie Francis.

SEUSSICAL DIRECTOR

Pat Wilhelms is the founder and Artistic Director of Roanoke Children's Theatre. Since 2008 she has led the team to create productions, school residencies and year round classes and camps as well as tours that travel all across the Commonwealth. Prior to that, she was the Director of Education and Outreach at Mill Mountain Theatre for 10 years. Other theatre residencies include: Theatre of Youth Company, Melic and Mime Inc., and Idaho Repertory Theatre. Pat currently serves as Board Member at the Burton School of the Arts, is a partner with the Star City Reads initiative and serves as an adjudicator for the Southwest Theatre Conference. Directorial credits at RCT include: Madeleine's Christmas, Charlotte's Web, The Giver, Junie B. Jones, The Secret Life of Girls, Tuck Everlasting, If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, Wrecked, The Velveteen Rabbit, Go Dog Go, Junie B in Jingle Bells Batman Smells, Eric & Elliot, Stuart Little, How I Became A Pirate, A Little House Christmas, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Cat in the Hat, EAT: It's Not About Food, Fancy Nancy, James and the Giant Peach, SHREK, the Musical, The Ice Cream Man, Rapunzel and The BFG. Pat is married and the proud mother of 3 grown children and 2 young cats.

HOLIDAY WHOVILLE HOOPLA: SEUSSICAL OPENING NIGHT

Roanoke Children's Theatre invites guests of the Opening Night performance to join them for HOLIDAY WHOVILLE HOOPLA prior to the 7 p.m. performance in the Jefferson Center atrium. The event will feature light nibbles, and allow patrons the opportunity to write letters to Santa, sit on Santa's lap and create Seuss hats. The evening will culminate with a performance of SEUSSICAL. Patrons must have a ticket to the Opening Night performance of SEUSSICAL on December 20 in order to attend HOLIDAY WHOVILLE HOOPLA. The event is FREE with the purchase of a ticket for the December 20 performance.

Roanoke Children's Theatre: Professional Theatre for Young Audiences is an independently owned and operated 501(c)3 organization located in the Jefferson Center. RCT is dedicated to providing high quality theatre education and entertainment to families, schools and children with year-round programming; crafting new and exciting partnerships and programs that engage our youth in a world of communication, imagination, creativity, empowerment and learning.

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