FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steven Box, Marketing Director
937-461-3823 x3112
steven@humanracetheatre.org
THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE GIVES DAYTON SEUSSICAL,
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
( Dayton, OH) – November 7, 2005 – “Oh, the thinks you can think when you think about Seuss!” This December, the Loft Theatre transforms into a world where anything is possible – an elephant in a tree, people too tiny to see, a heroic child and dreams running wild – as Dr. Seuss’s most beloved characters come to life in Seussical, a whimsical, musical delight for children and adults alike. The Human Race Theatre Company’s production runs December 1 – 18 and is the second show on the Humana Loft Series 2.
Based on the beloved characters and stories of Dr. Seuss, Seussical follows the adventures of Horton, an elephant who one day hears voices coming from a speck of dust. He soon discovers that within this tiny speck exists the smallest planet in the universe, populated by a tiny race of creatures known as Whos! Although ridiculed by the other animals in the Jungle of Nool for believing in something he cannot see, Horton stubbornly persists in his belief that the Whos exist.
Meanwhile, the citizens of Who are having some adventures of their own, including a war over which side of the bread gets buttered. JoJo, the smallest child in the city of Who, parallels Horton’s journey as he is ostracized for the unpopular act of thinking – an activity not encouraged by the parents and teachers of Whoville. In spite of these obstacles, JoJo and Horton attempt to do what they think is right. However, their path is not easy. Horton is sold to the Circus McGurkus and eventually stands trial in Judge Yertle the Turtle’s court before the other animals of the jungle come to understand, as Horton has always known, that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
During the course of the story, the Cat in the Hat pops in and out of scenes, narrating, playing numerous characters and helping the younger audience members keep track of what’s going on. There’s on stage action for children and humor for adults and universal themes of kindness and caring for everyone.
Seussical boasts a score and libretto written by the Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, My Favorite Year and Schoolhouse Rock), who conceived the project with the assistance of Monty Python’s Eric Idle.
Joe Deer, head of the Wright State University Musical Theatre program, takes the reigns as director and choreographer after overseeing last season’s Humana Loft Series hit, The Underpants. Gerald Rheault returns to The Human Race as the production’s musical director, having previously worked on Convenience and The Spitfire Grill.
The cast of Seussical is an energetic, eclectic group of actors from New York City, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, and includes: Zachary Boyd (JoJo Understudy), Mark Chmiel (The Cat in the Hat), Deb Colvin-Tener (Mrs. Mayor), Kelly Corken (Mr. Mayor), Christian Delcroix (Wickersham Brother), Janet Dickinson (Mayzie La Bird), Jarod Garel (JoJo), Abeku Bomani Hayes (Wickersham Brother), Alan Bomar Jones (General Gengus Khan Schmitz), Mischa Kischkum (The Grinch, Judge Yertle the Turtle, Vlad Vladikoff), Meegan Midkiff (Bird Girl), Katie Pees (Gertrude McFuzz), Sarah Stair (Bird Girl), Scott Stoney (Horton the Elephant), Danielle K. Thomas (Sour Kangaroo), Aaron Vega (Wickersham Brother) and Anna-Lee Wright (Bird Girl).
Behind the scenes, Mark Halpin is scenic and properties designer, Jeff Shearer is costume designer, John Rensel is lighting designer, Todd M. Reischman is sound designer, Christian Duhamel is assistant musical director, Tristan Cupp and Carol Finley are puppet designers and Elizabeth Grunenwald is production stage manager.
On Friday evening, November 25 the cast of Seussical will perform a musical number from the show as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Grande Illumination ceremony on Courthouse Square. Immediately following the performance, the Cat in the Hat will help with the tree lighting.
Dayton Metro Library is sponsoring two Saturday children’s shows in which Scott Stoney (Horton) and Katie Pees (Gertrude) will perform songs from Seussical and read to children from select Dr. Seuss books. The first show will be on Saturday morning, December 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the main library, 215 East Third Street in Dayton. The second show will be on Saturday morning, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Miami Township branch library, 2718 Lyons Road. Admission to both shows is free.
Seussical is presented with support from Unibilt Industries, Houser Asphalt & Concrete, Battelle & Battelle LLP, Burhill Leasing and Marion’s Piazza. Humana of Ohio is the sponsor of the Loft Series. NCR, Sam Levin Foundation and Jim & Enid Goubeaux are the Loft Series 2 sponsors. Media Sponsor for the Humana Loft Series is WYSO Public Radio/91.3 FM. The Official Host for the Humana Loft Series is the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Dayton.
Seussical is on stage at the Loft Theatre December 1 – 18. The Tuesday, December 13, evening performance is at 7:00 p.m. (Please note: This is a new curtain time for the 2005 – 2006 season.) The Saturday, December 10 performance may be sign interpreted and/or audio described upon request with two weeks advance notice to Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630. Immediately following the Sunday, December 11 matinee, The Human Race will hold its “While We’re on the Subject” post-show discussion, moderated by Preston Dawes.
Tickets for Seussical are $29 for general admission, $27 for senior citizens and just $14.50 for students and children*. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are on sale now via Ticket Center Stage, with box office locations at the Victoria Theatre and Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. To order tickets by phone, call (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, noon – 4 p.m. The Loft Theatre box office opens two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.
*Seussical is not recommended for children under the age of six.
For more information about Seussical, The Human Race Theatre Company and the Humana Loft Series, visit www.humanracetheatre.org.
The Human Race Theatre Company receives organizational support from Culture Works, Montgomery County and The Shubert Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Human Race Theatre Company with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
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Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at The Loft, a 219-seat theatre. In addition to the Humana Loft Series 1, produced in collaboration with the Victoria Theatre Association, The Human Race produces the Humana Loft Series 2, the Musical Theatre Workshop series and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains educational outreach programs for children six to eighteen, guest artists and artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock and The Human Race Conservatory. The new Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center of The Human Race opens in 2006 to provide a space for extensive theatre education classes and workshops.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
The Human Race Theatre Company presents
Seussical
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
December 1 – 18, 2005
Produced by The Human Race Theatre Company
Performed at the Loft Theatre
126 N. Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Directed and choreographed by Joe Deer
Musical direction by Gerald Rheault
Starring Zachary Boyd, Mark Chmiel, Deb Colvin-Tener, Kelly Corken, Christian Delcroix, Janet Dickinson, Jarod Garel, Abeku Bomani Hayes, Alan Bomar Jones, Mischa Kischkum, Meegan Midkiff, Katie Pees, Sarah Stair, Scott Stoney, Danielle K. Thomas, Aaron Vega and Anna-Lee Wright
For tickets, call: Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630
Ticket prices: $29 General Admission, $27 Seniors, $14.50 Students and Children*
*This production is not recommended for children under the age of six.
“Oh, the thinks you can think when you think about Seuss!” Welcome to a place where anything’s possible – an elephant in a tree, people too tiny to see, a heroic child and dreams running wild – as Dr. Seuss’s most beloved characters come to life in this whimsical, musical delight for children and adults alike. When chaos erupts in the Jungle of Nool, it will take the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, the Whos of Whoville, Gertrude McFuzz and the whole Seuss gang to bring harmony back to their world. There’s fun and adventure for every kid at heart!
Performance dates:
Wednesday, November 30 8:00 p.m. “Pay What You Can” performance
Thursday, December 1 8:00 p.m. Opening
Friday, December 2 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3 3:00 p.m. “Family Day” performance – ½ price adult tickets
Saturday, December 3 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 7 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 8 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 9 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 10 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 2:00 p.m. “While We’re on the Subject” post-show discussion
Sunday, December 11 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 14 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 15 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 16 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 18 2:00 p.m.
Special events:
The Dayton Holiday Festival’s Grande Illumination
The cast of Seussical gives a live musical performance at Courthouse Square and the Cat in the Hat joins in the tree-lighting ceremony. Admission is free. Open to the general public.
Friday, November 25 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tree-lighting ceremony 7:55 p.m.
Dayton Metro Library Saturday Children’s Shows
Scott Stoney (Horton) and Katie Pees (Gertrude) perform songs from Seussical and read from Dr. Seuss’s books. Admission is free. Open to the general public.
Saturday, December 3 10:00 a.m. – Main Library, 215 East Third Street
Saturday, December 10 10:00 a.m. – Miami Township Library, 2718 Lyons Road