SAAC announces the artists, along with their mentors, for the Penguin Project’s upcoming production of “Seussical, KIDS”. The production is scheduled for October 4 at 7:00pm and at 2:00pm on October 5. Tickets are $5 for all with open seating.
Congratulations to the cast (which includes an artist/mentor in each role)…the curious young boy, JoJo: Peyton Wardell/ Carmelo Brown; Horton, the loveable elephant: Christian Cotton/ Caleb Lee; Cats: Henlea Stevens/ Katy Whitten; Brealyn Allen/ Marianna Woolen; Annie Walker/ Lillian Fife; Gertrude McFuzz: Lily Langston/ Madison Dodson; Egg laying bird, Mayzie: Skylar Drummonds/ Sabrina Butler; Sour Kangaroo: Madison Miller/ Ellery Palculict, and her daughter, Young Kangaroo: Rebekah Lee/ Cameron Winkenwerder.
The Wickershem Brothers: Will Colvin/ Matthew Langston, Sam Jones/ Ellis Lyles and James Patrick/ Andrew Langston; and their sister: Alyssa Walthall/ Pyper Swift. The Jungle Citizens: Skylar Drummonds/ Sabrina Butler; Michael Raborn/ Rylee Bass; Kelsey Allen/ Maggie Ragan, and Bella Johnson/ Mary Claire Parker.
Talk Show Host: Michael Raborn/ Rylee Bass; Mayor: Kevin Brooks /Gideon Moncrief; and Mrs. Mayor: Channing Lee/Avery Hall. The Who Citizens: Isabella Lee/ Clara Cooper; Rojas Benton/ Kale Dugal; Skylar Wardell/ David Valero; Braxton Brooks/Joshua Lee, and Chapel Johnson/Marlee Reed. Vlad: Braxton Brooks/Joshua Lee; The Marshal: Skylar Wardell/ David Valero, and Judge Yertle: Rojas Benton/Kale Dugan.
The Penguin Project is a unique opportunity for children with special needs to perform in a live stage production in front of an audience. Through targeted outreach, special needs children are recruited as “artists” and are cast in the production, from starring roles to ensemble. Each special needs artist is paired with a mentor of similar age, who guides them through the production from start to finish, helping them learn lines, dances, songs, and blocking. The children operate as a pair throughout the entire process and appear on stage together, resulting in a full theatrical performance, with costumes, sets, and music.
Lynn Gunter, director for this production said, “These young people have done just what Dr. Seuss said, ‘Kid, you’ll move mountains.’. For six weeks they have been moving mountains of stress, rehearsals, making new friends, learning about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and putting aside their free time to perform for the city of El Dorado. They are all talented and unique in their own way. Our Seuss motto has been ’Why fit in when you were born to stand out?’ Audiences will be amazed and changed as they see these kids miraculously ‘stand out’!”
“Seussical Kids” is great fun for the whole family. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in this fantastical musical extravaganza. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!