The Broadway smash hit musical “Suessical” running at Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms through July 28 is a real family affair!
The delightful family-friendly show is based on the children’s books of Dr. Seuss and features characters and situations that generations grew up with. The adventures of the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, Sour Kangaroo, and more favorites are brought colorfully to life in the bright and energetic musical Directed by Gary Daigneault with Musical Direction by Bill Barrett and Choreography by Mandi Pushkar.
The summer blockbuster show is a fun endeavor involving many area families. The Schmelling family has their entire family involved, Dad Marv plays The Mayor of Whoville, wife Robin is running the specialized sound tracks, daughter Lauren is Gertrude McFuzz, and daughter Lizzie shines in a variety of quick-change roles. 13 year old Kayleigh Coughlin plays Jojo and her 8 year old sister Natalie charms as Cindy-Lou Who. Robin Wilson is brassy as Mayzie LaBird while her daughter Kirby Davis-Wilson is sassy as one of the Bird Girls. Director Gary Daigneault sees wife Cindy playing the Grinch and his grandson, Quentin Roberts, 10, drives the Circus McGurkus train. Choregrapher Mandi Pushkar has husband Robert Pushkar as her assistant, daughter Jasmine on stage and daughter Audrey runs a spotlight. More family fun on stage with Shelly Sheckler joined on stage with her daughter, Emily, and while young Linnea Hilderbrand is in the spotlight, Mom Celeste Hilderbrand is running the theater’s new Hi-Tech Projection system. Costuming genius Katherine Ferguson has her husband, Charles Harvey in the show as Horton the Elephant.
With an all-volunteer cast of 27 and stage crew of 10, “Suessical”, is the essence of true community theater for the entire Morongo Basin. The powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant; in a story that makes you laugh and cry, “Seussical”.
Tickets for the five-week run are available online at www.theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 box office at 760-361-4151. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and military; and $8 for students.
Theatre 29, a 501 ( 3 ) non-profit all-volunteer Community Theatre, is located at 73637 Sullivan Road, (right around the corner from Barr Lumber) in the City of Twentynine Palms.
