More than 100 children from Newtown and the surrounding area are putting on a musical with help from some Broadway professionals.
Newtown resident Michael Baroody founded the 1214 Foundation to help the Newtown community heal after the tragedy last December and the organization is sponsoring “Seussical the Musical” to help children heal through the arts.
The performances start tomorrow night, after five weeks of preparing and rehearsing.
Eighty-four students, between 5 and 18, from the Newtown area will be directed by Michael Unger, an established theater and opera director. They will also work with choreographer Jennifer Paulson Lee and Broadway musical director Jeffery Saver.
“These people coming in and helping us put this show together just shows the care, respect, and support they have for our town,” said Madi Aug who plays a Birdgirl in the production. “It’s just amazing that we’re not the only people who haven’t stopped thinking about what happened in Sandy Hook.”
“And the show specifically relates to our situation,” she added. “The planet Who is a place that has gone through hardships and a lot of tough times – and then Horton the elephant comes along and helps them keep safe and helps them heal. I feel like this show and everyone involved in it are like the ‘Hortons of Newtown’ because they’re really helping us get through and heal through this situation. It really means a lot to me and everyone in this town.”
Emmy Award, Tony Award, and Drama Desk Award nominated John Tartaglia will portray “The Cat in the Hat.”
Performances will be held on Aug 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 10 and 11 at 2 p.m. at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road in Newtown.
There will be two casts with two performances each. Tickets are $22 for the general public and $17 for seniors/students, which includes a credit card convenience fee.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.1214foundation.org/seussical.
Proceeds will go to the foundation, which hopes to build a performing arts center in Newtown in memory of the Sandy Hook School shooting victims.
