photo/submitted
Grafton – Enjoy an evening with Horton the Elephant and many more of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters in Apple Tree Arts’ musical “Seussical Kids” staged March 22 and 23, 7 p.m. at Grafton Middle School, 22 Providence Road in Grafton. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and free for ages four and younger. Tickets will be sold at the door.
The mischievous Cats narrate the story of Horton’s adventures as he tries to safeguard the Whos, tiny people he discovers in a speck of dust and help his friend Mayzie La Bird. During his travels in the Jungle of Nool theatre goers meet JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz, Jungle citizens, Wickersham brothers and many other characters.
Directed and produced by theatre arts director Lisa Scarlett with music direction by Ashley Scarlett, the musical fantasy showcases the talents of 29 elementary-school aged actors. “This version of the Seuss story allows us leeway to use our imagination and creativity in the design of colorful sets and costumes,” Ms. Scarlett said. The cast is enjoying the humor and have fond memories of reading Dr. Seuss books as young children like most of us, too,” she added.
The cast includes Ella Arsenault, Aiden Baer, Elena Baker, Samantha Boloz, Brianna Bosland, Alexis Carlson, Caroline Chaisson, Martha Cummings, Caroline Fisher, Tyler Flow, Torynn Giunta, Audrey Gowen, Molly Grace, Nora Iadarola, Davin Laramee, Caelan Laverty, Addison Lenz, Riley Maloney, Olivia Marrone, Kendra Miner, Cooper Often, Adrianna Peloquin, Jenna Rowe, Abby Salisbury, Carly Simpson, Andrew Smith, Colin Spinney, Maddie Spinney and Henry Wilson-Pratt.
Many people are contributing to the show. Ron Burke is doing the set design and construction. Ashley Berardi and Madie Geoffroy are co-choreographers. Noelle Scarlett is working on costumes with the assistance of Liz Spinney, Wendy Boloz and Jennifer Rowe. Laura and Mat Often are creating props. Parent volunteers are also helping with marquee photography and creation, ticket sales, organizing star grams and coordinating refreshments.
Apple Tree Arts is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that has grown to serve over 1,500 children and adults annually with early childhood music classes, group keyboard lessons, private music and voice instruction, ensembles and theatre arts programs. The school provides a wide range of performances, special community musical and theatre arts events year-round. For more information, visit www.appletreearts.org
