Cat in the Hat and pals coming to C.J. Hooker stage

| 28 Apr 2016 | 09:47

Principals: Caitlyn Hough, Lauren Henkler, Jacob Forman, Brooke Castleman, Katie Crandall, Jehan Zeb Beg, Madilyn Bunzey, and Alana Hessinger (Photo provided)

Wickersham Brothers: Lauren Lingerman, Gwen Aitchison, Isabella Obligado, and Julianna McGovern (Photo provided)

The Who's: First row: Angie Santiago, Emily Streicherwein, Lizzy Smith, Anna Fitzgerald, Cassidy Brock, Jehan Zeb Beg, Madelyn Bunzey, and Katie Crandall. Second row: Gabriella DeMatteo, Rachel Li, Hope Pirovolikos, Grace Kuns, Colin Ahearn, Gabriel Kaufman, Charles Babcock, and Jacob Batista (Photo provided)

Jungle Creatures: Isabel Dooley, Samantha Torres, Emily Loftus, Julianna Patane, Erin Wood, Ethan Garcia, Bridgette Bennis, Virginia Valens, and Alexander Saul (Photo provided)

Bird Girls: Jilian Welshoff, Ysabella Paneto, McKenzie Castleman, and Imann Zeb Beg (Photo provided)

GOSHEN — Goshen's first middle school musical in recent memory, "Seussical the Musical Jr!," will be presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International of New York from May 6 to 8.
The Cat in the Hat (played by Lauren Henkler) will narrate the adventures of Horton (played by Jacob Forman), leading the audience on a journey through jungles, danger, and, of course, Whoville. Horton and his cohorts learn that “Anything is Possible,” and that if you “Never Give Up,” the “Change Will Come From You.”
All in all, an evening of valuable life lessons for us all.
This musical is the second attempt to bring more than just a typical choral/instrumental opportunity to C.J. Hooker Middle School. Last year’s presentation was the first step, a musical review of Broadway offerings to give the kids a look at what they could do in future years.
Director Kate Loftus, a special education teacher in the Scotchtown Elementary School, spearheaded the effort to bring the stage experience to the middle school.
With Goshen already known for its widely acclaimed high school spring musical, it only made sense to get a “farm team” system going in the middle school. If younger students get a taste for theater, it can only help an already stellar program at the high school.
Loftus said she “just wants the community to know how wonderful these children are and how amazing it is to have a program up and running that will enable children to learn about the theater. With these creative experiences, they learn more than the difference between stage left and stage right, but how to how to work together and problem solve, as well as how to support one another. To me, there's no greater way to learn than through the arts.”
Loftus is being assisted by other adult volunteers, including:
Michelle Serna, producer
Jen Crandall, co-producer
Paulette Wilk Rudy and Amy Bunzey, costumers
Louise Castleman, stage manager/props
Caitlyn Cuddy, student stage manager
Devin Cassidy, musical director
Layla Rose Boyles, choreographer
Bill Greene, lighting/sound
Brian Crandall and Nicole Obligadoic, sets and scenery
This show is based on the book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
"Seussical the Musical Jr!" was co-conceived by Ahrens, Flaherty and Eric Idle.

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