Suessical the Musical Runs in CRT's Nutmeg Summer Series

The exuberant imagination of Dr. Seuss comes alive on stage when the musical, mischievous Cat in the Hat magically appears to romp through a tuneful tale of Horton the Elephant. Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) continues its 2011 Nutmeg Summer Series with Suessical The Musical, based on the most famous books of Dr. Seuss, running June 16-26 in the Nafe Katter Theatre on the UConn Storrs campus. Tickets for children and students are just $10!

Set to a gumbo of musical styles, ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk, all ages will enjoy this unforgettable madcap celebration of music, spectacle, and laughter. Master comedian Steve Hayes and international performance artist Bradford Scobie lead a cast of vibrant comic and musical performers in this 80-minute family musical that is sure to delight kids and kids at heart.

Suessical, The Musical

Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Book by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens

Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

June 16 - 26, 2011

Nafe Katter Theatre

Director and choreographer Cassie Abate states, "Dr. Seuss's stories come to life in Seussical the Musical, with an exciting score my Ahrens and Flaherty. It tells the story of Jojo, a small boy with very large thinks, and Horton, a large elephant trying to save a very small planet. They are helped along the way by beloved characters, such as Gertrude McFuzz, The Whos, The Grinch, Yertle the Turtle, and many more. Full of colorful fun, magic, and heartwarming truth, Seussical the Musical is perfect for kids ages 1 to 100."

The story centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge. Not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers - but he must guard an abandoned egg left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie LaBird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, being the only one who recognizes "his kind and his powerful heart." Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant - in a story that will make you laugh and cry.

SEE THE EXHIBIT AT THE WILLIAM BENTON MUSEUM OF ART, "THE ART OF DR. SUESS", MAY 31-AUGUST 7, 2011
In collaboration with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre production of Seussical The Musical, the Benton Museum on the UConn Storrs campus will present a retrospective of works by "America's favorite illustrator," a small but comprehensive exhibition of rare original works by Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. This engaging collection showcases some of his earliest sketches of The Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant, and shows how his iconic and beloved characters evolved during his lifetime. The exhibition includes published illustrations, political cartoons, sketches, drawings, sculpture, prints, and whimsical paintings created in the artist's later years, along with panels, labels and music from some of the most popular animated treatments of "The Grinch," "Horton Hears a Who," "Seussical," and "Gerald McBoing Boing." The Art of Dr. Seuss brings together loans from private collections and Animazing Gallery in
New York. Admission to the museum and the Seuss exhibition is free.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION
Suessical runs Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 26 in the Nafe Katter Theatre. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $39, and all tickets for children and students are just $10!

Tickets are now available by calling the Jorgensen Box Office at 860-486-4226, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or visiting www.crt.uconn.edu. Please not that specific show dates and times vary. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change. Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. Not all productions are suitable for young children; please call 860.486.1629 for more information.

The Nutmeg Summer Series continues with My Fair Lady, starring Broadway legend Terrence Mann as Professor Henry Higgins and TV soap star Eileen Fulton as Mrs. Higgins, playing July 7-17 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre (lower Jorgensen, also located on the Storrs campus).

CRT's Season Sponsor for the Summer series is SI Financial Advisors, the Wealth management Division of Savings Institute Bank & Trust. Corporate sponsors are Hamilton Sundstrand and XL Color. Community Partners for the Summer Series are the Nathan Hale Inn, The Willimantic Chronicle, WHUS 91.7 FM, the Mansfield Community Center and the UConn Dairy Bar.

The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre and the Nafe Katter Theatre are located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Both venues offer air-conditioned comfort and convenient nearby parking (free parking for the Harriet S. Jorgensen is in Lot 9 across from the Jorgensen Center, paid parking is available in the North Garage). Subscribers also have the option of pre-purchasing dinner at the Nathan Hale Inn and ice cream dessert at the UConn Dairy Bar with their subscription packages.

DINING-THEATRE OPTION - Subscribers can enjoy a delicious, three-course meal at the Nathan Hale Inn before the performance (evening or matinee) at a specially discounted price of only $20 per show (a 30% discount off menu prices). Each meal includes soup or salad, entrée, dessert and soft drink. Subscribers will have a reservation before each show in their series with full exchange privileges. Gratuities are not included; reservations are required (please call 860.427.7888); this offer is not combinable with other offers and is available only to Nutmeg Summer Series subscribers; dining vouchers will be mailed with tickets in advance.

DAIRY BAR DESSERT OPTION- Top off a cool afternoon or evening of hot summer theatre with whipped cream and a cherry! Subscriber may add vouchers for three ice cream sundaes at the world famous UConn Dairy Bar to each subscription for an additional $12. The UConn Dairy bar is open before evening performances, and before and after matinees; daily hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vouchers can be redeemed anytime before the expiration date of July 18, 2011.

THE CAST

Steve Hayes (HORTON) is the host of the information/comedy show Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies, which is seen weekly on YouTube. He starred in the films The Big Gay Musical directed by Casper Andreas and in Trick directed by Jim Fall and starring Tori Spelling and Christian Campbell. Trick was nominated for Best Picture at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and Steve can be heard singing a solo number on the soundtrack. Off-Broadway, he starred in the world premiere of Paul Corrigan's comedy Queen's Blvd directed by Vincent J. Cardinal and recently appeared at the New York Musical Theater Festival in Bradford Scobie's Moisty The Snowman Saves Christmas. Steve won Outstanding Actor at the International New York Fringe Theatre Festival in 2006 for The Penguin Tango by Stephen Svoboda. He is a nine-time nominee and three-time winner of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs MAC Award for Outstanding Comedian. Steve was also the recipient of the Backstage Bistro Award for Comedy Performer of the Year, and is a six-time recipient of the ASCAP Popular Music Award. He is a member of Actors Equity Association.

Bradford Scobie (THE CAT IN THE HAT) is a New York-based character actor and comedy writer. His original musical Moisty the Snowman Saves Christmas was featured in the New York Musical Theater Festival. He co-wrote and starred in Gorgeous Morons at the Dublin International Theater Festival and appeared in the HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Bradford is a fixture of the New York burlesque and comedy scene, appearing as a multitude of personas, including Doctor Donut, Redhook the Pirate, Johnny Rooster, Pilgrim William, Zombie Ralph and Ukulele Louie. As a voice-over actor, Bradford can be heard in countless commercials and cartoons. He is a member of Actors Equity Association.

Noah Zachary (JOJO) graduated from the UConn BFA Acting Program in 2010. His New York credits include Dear Edwina (D.R.2. Theater), Once Upon a Time in New Jersey (Prospect Theater), and Madame the Musical (staged reading). Noah's regional theatre credits include How to Succeed... (Finch), Rocky Horror Show Live (Riff Raff). His prior CRT credits include Tommy (Cousin Kevin), Hair (Woof), Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party (Anton), Spring Awakenings (Hansy) and many more.

Rachel Leigh Rosado (MAYZIE LABIRD) graduated from the UConn BFA Acting program in 2010. She recently completed the run of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at the Riverside Theatre in FL (Maria Elena). She was seen last year in the Nutmeg Summer Series as Maureen in Rent and Brenda in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Rachel's prior CRT credits include Tommy (Acid Queen), Hair (Ronny),Threepenny Opera (Lucy), Doubt (Sister James), The Lost Colony (Queen Elizabeth I),and many others.

Additional cast: Amani Dorn (SOUR KANGAROO), Lindsay Andretta (FEMALE BIRD), Allyssa Schmitt (GERTRUDE), Jamie Goldman (WICKERSHAM), Cody Strand, (WICKERSHAM), Charles South (WICKERSHAM).

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Cassie Abate (DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER) has appeared in Sophisticated Ladies at Arena Stage starring Maurice Hines, the national tour of Urban Cowboy (Bubbles), 42nd Street at North Shore Music Theatre (Lorraine), Lady Be Good (Shirley) at Surflight Theatre, West Side Story (Maria u/s) and Peter Pan at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Pirates of Penzance (Mabel), Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Selden), and Little Women (Beth). Her regional and university choreography credits include Pirates of Penzance, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Music Man, Moby Dick: the Musical, Wish, Little Women and The Brain From Planet X at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (assistant choreographer). Cassie taught tap at Montclair State University and is currently getting her MFA in Musical Theatre at San Diego State University. She is a member of Actors Equity Association.

Design team: Lesley Neilson-Bowman (COSTUME DESIGNER), Nathan Leigh (SOUND DESIGNER), John Pike (MUSIC DIRECTOR), Michael Anania (SET DESIGNER), Al Crawford (LIGHT DESIGNER).

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