When doors to “Seussical” open on Friday evening at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, the presentation by the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre celebrates the return of HCT following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited to be back, and we feel the community will be equally excited,” said “Seussical” Co-Producers Debra Blachowiak and Allegra Gaines. “We have been producing these huge musicals for the Kaua‘i community for 25 years now, but not for the last three years because of COVID.”
Curtains rise at 7 p.m. for the premiere of the HCT fall production of “Seussical,” an amalgamation of stories by Theodore Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. “Seussical” is a musical primarily based on Dr. Seuss stories, “Horton Hears a Who,” “Horton Hatches an Egg,” and “The One-Feathered Tail of Gertrude McFuzz,” although the presentation incorporates many references to other Dr. Seuss tales.
Carol Culver is the director and choreographer for the full-scale musical production that is scheduled to perform over two weekends from Nov. 18 through 27, with Friday and Saturday shows scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m.
“Our ticket prices are $10 from the cast members, $12 online at www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.org, and $15 at the door, so we want to make sure everyone knows who is in the cast so they can get the best-priced tickets,” the producers said.
“We also have a benefit performance on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. that support both food banks — the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank — ahead of Thanksgiving. All tickets at this benefit are $6 online, or at the door if accompanied by a donation of food or money.”
Culver moved to Kaua‘i in 1998 following a successful career as a Broadway, television and film dancer, choreographer, singer and actress. In addition to running her own dance studio on Kaua‘i, the Carol Culver Dance Academy, she has choreographed more than 20 productions for Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center and the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre.
Culver is complemented by a team of seasoned theater professionals, including Musical Director Dolly Kanekuni, Blachowiak and Gaines, and Trudi Shim and Bailey Hutton, stage managers.
The cast numbers 42, including 20 actors under 13 years old. Veteran featured performers include Gaylen Worthen (The Cat in the Hat), Max Richardson (Horton), Gabrielle Davidson (Gertrude McFuzz), Tom Worthen (Mayor of Whoville), Rayna Shafter (Mrs. Mayor), Sabryn Rudinoff (Sour Kangaroo) and Larry Richardson (General Schmitz).
Rounding out the cast are Starlee Belmonte, Hi‘ilei Berg, Ashlynn Bouck, Jacy Burris, Delphina Carlson, Katie Mae Carlson, Aileia Cassler, GraceJoy Clement Collins, Tristan “Rozz” Fiorovich, Asher Gaines, Fia Gaines, Karlie Goldberg, Leora Jefferson, Oliver Jordan, Aria Light, Eva Light, Maile Love, Jackson Mahorney, Margaret McLeod, Luna Mendonca, Justine Nelson, Adam Nelson, Makenna Olson, Kai Olson, Violet Parker, Gaitlin Plowman, Hailey Robert, Echo Rohner, Rory Shim, Skylar Shim, Ron Soderstrom, Kayla Valentino, Luke Vastola, Brianna Rose Vastola, Ulelena Vincent and Finnegan Warrack.
Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre productions are made possible through a broad range of community support and thousands of volunteer hours. Numerous opportunities remain to support the production in its final days of preparation.
Those interested to find out more about how to support “Seussical” and HCT, including donations, set sponsorship, program advertising, group tickets and/or volunteering, are invited to contact HCT Administrator Gaines at the HCT office at 808-246-8985.
HCT’s mission is to serve as a world-class, multicultural theater arts education program standing for excellence, accessibility and theater that makes a difference to enrich the lives of young people, their families and the community.
• Info: hawaiichildrensthreatre.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
