Gish to bring Dr. Seuss to life in ‘Seussical’ musical

“Seussical: The Musical” is set to hit the GISH stage with a fun spectacle opening at the end of October. Weaving together classic Dr. Seuss stories into a story on Horton the Elephant's journey to protect the tiny inhabitants of Whoville, “Seussical” is a story of loyalty, friendship, and silly hijinx. Guided by the mischievous Cat in the Hat, Horton faces a series of challenges and relies on his loyal heart to prove that a person's a person, no matter how small. Through imagination and perseverance, the beloved Seuss characters discover the power of community and believing in one another.

The musical, based on the famous works and characters created by the famed Dr. Seuss, will run Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 for 2 p.m. matinees, with all performances on stage at the auditorium of Grand Island Senior High. Tickets will go on sale in mid-September and may be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre.

Portraying an iconic character in children’s literature is the opportunity of a lifetime for Ulises Acosta, who will be putting on the signature striped hat as the Cat in the Hat.

“I’m so excited! ‘Seussical’ is one of my favorite musicals,” Ulises shared. “The Cat in the Hat is such a fun character to play. He's a little mysterious. He's the narrator. He's the MC, the host of the musical. He and JoJo go along throughout the musical and experience all the Dr. Seuss books, and it's so fun to just portray that character on stage.”

The cast and crew showcases over 130 Grand Island Senior High students both on the stage and behind the curtain. And for the fourth consecutive year, the GISH performers will be supported by a group of special guests.

Rounding out the company will be 40 additional Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) students. A group of fourth through eighth graders from GIPS comprise Young Ensemble players to fill the stage in large group numbers.

Overall, “Seussical: The Musical” will feature the talents of over 180 students from Grand Island Public Schools. From fun-filled musical numbers like “Oh, the Things You Can Think!” and “All for You,” with the iconic characters of Horton, the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Gertrude McFuzz, and more, the annual GISH fall musical promises to be a can’t-miss production for the whole family.

“I am so excited for our students to bring Seussical to life!” Katherine Welk, GISH musical director, said. “This show is full of imagination, heart, humor, and fun music, but underneath all of that is a really beautiful story about friendship and believing in the people around you. I’m also excited that our Young Ensemble will be joining us again this year. It gives even more students from across the district a chance to be part of the magic and adds another really special layer to the production. It’s going to be a fantastic show that you won’t want to miss!”

Cast for “Seussical: The Musical”

Cast

• Cat in the Hat.......... Ulises Acosta
• Horton..................... Coen Thorpe
• Jojo......................... Cadence Gidcumb
• Gertrude.................. Lydia Hayden
• Mayzie.................... Jazmine Boydstun
• Sour Kangaroo....... Dayami Osuna Mozqueda
• Mayor..................... Riley Seybold
• Mrs Mayor.............. Hana Butters
• General Schmitz.... Brigham Loeffler
• Grinch.................... Jakobe Arres
• Judge Yertle........... Tristan Osborn
• Vlad Vladamir......... Ethan Purvis
• Young Kangaroo.... Jaylene Osuna Mozqueda

Bird Girls

• Gracyn Tennant
• Jesse Gilmore
• Malia McNeil
• Miley Edwards
• Jessica Romero
• Nona Kirschbaum

Wickersham Brothers

• Jaxstin Deines
• Kainen Mora
• Rylan Kier
• Saul Trejo
• Connor Brown
• Greyson Hashman

Who family leaders

• #1 - Madison Wieczorek
• #2 - Raquel Lopez
• #3 - Gideon Adams
• #4 - Marck Ramirez
• #5 - Alianna Wemhoff

Fish

• Alisson Zuniga
• Alyka Winslow
• Alyssha Abrajan
• Braelyn Bachman
• Gabi Avila
• Olivia Dooley
• Madison Marten
• Reagan Kier

Hunches

• Allie Niedfelt
• Alyka Winslow
• Alyssha Abrajan
• Braelyn Bachman
• Brooke Miller
• Gabi Avila
• Gideon Adams
• Janelle Diaz
• Jimmy Trinh
• Joseph Ronnfeldt
• Karim Magallan
• Madison Marten
• Mara Harwood King
• Marck Ramirez
• Olivia Dooley
• Reagan Kier

Cadets

• Adriel Acosta
• Alexander Frometa
• Andrew Wegehaupt
• Ethan Purvis
• Gideon Adams
• Ian Wigda
• Jimmy Trinh
• Joseph Ronnfeldt
• Karim Magallan
• Marck Ramirez
• Tristan Osborn

Ensemble: Citizens of the Jungle and Who’s of Whoville

Addilynn Kinport, Addison Stahl-Victory, Adelynn Beam, Adriel Acosta, Alexander Frometa, Alianna Wemhoff, Alisson Zuniga, Allie Niedfelt, Alyka Winslow, Alyssha Abrajan, Amari Lenon, Andrew Wegehaupt, Arabella Kent, Aubrey Delamatte, Braelyn Bachman, Brianna Tinajero, Briella Sorensen, Brooke Miller, Charlee Miles, Daisy Robertson, David Aranda, Emery Clark, Emma Butters, Emma Jameson, Ethan Purvis, Gabby Nunez, Gabi Avila, Gabriella Enck-Herrold, Gideon Adams, Haley Hernandez, Ian Wigda, Janelle Diaz, Jimmy Trinh, Jissel Campuzano, Jose Chacon, Joseph Ronnfeldt, Joslynn Battershaw, Kailey Callejas, Karim Magallan, Kenna Dvorak, Kylie Helmuth, Luke Hayden, Madison Marten, Madison Wieczorek, Mara Harwood King, Marck Ramirez, Nancy Chacon, Olivia Dooley, Penelope Meyer, Pracillah Hoekel, Raquel Lopez, Rilynn Havenridge, Sophia Mora, Stephanie Ortiz, Tallulah Brennan, Tianna Aguilar, Yenifer De La Cruz, Zaida Payne, and Zaylee Walkemeyer.

Young Ensemble

Abbie Rabanales, Abigail Adams, Ada White, Adalyn Senkbile, Addie Waldhelm, Addy Erickson, Amelia Robinson, Anastasia Rosas, Ariana Allen, Arleth Zuniga Medina, Aubrie Roe, Avery Dudo, Basley Robison, Brynlee Bachman, Charleigh Boyer, Dayn Tophoj, Ellie Northup, Emalia Arres, Emma Ellestad, Genesis White, Gillian Bachman, Harper Tennant, James Robert Koch, Jaylene Osuna Mozqueda, Jeremy Smith, Jordyn Karr, Kennedy Dillon, Leonardo Dobbins, Lia Rodriguez, Lilly Rodriguez, Lucy Schlegel, Madilyn Seim, Maggie Waldhelm, Mikkel Caceres, Natalie Danner, Sophia Roush, Tristan Harmon, Vivian Igo, Yosalmy Estrada García, and Yuliana Lara Patino.

Production team and performance details

Producer/director: Katherine Welk

Musical director: Jesse LaBrie

Director assistants: Lydia Hostler, Jaylynn Mercer, and Madison Dembowski

Stage managers: Abigail Bloom and Samara Hannel

Details: Performances of “Seussical: The Musical” presented by Grand Island Senior High will be October 30 at 7 p.m. and October 31 and November 1 at 2 p.m. at the GISH Auditorium.