Two Local Boys in Cast of Barrington Stage "Seussical"

Mitch Galli of Williamstown will appear as Horton the Elephant, and Mitchell Despain of Adams will play one of the mischievous Wickersham Brothers in the Barrington Stage Youth Theatre production of Seussical" running July 16-August 17 at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Pittsfield.  Read the full release below:

BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY ANNOUNCES CAST FOR YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION OF ‘SEUSSICAL’
JULY 16 THROUGH AUGUST 17
AT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN PITTSFIELD
Tickets on sale NOW!

(Pittsfield, MA)  Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, will present “Seussical” as its Summer Youth Theatre production.  The production, featuring a cast of local Berkshire youth, will be presented July 16 through August 17 at the First Congregational Church on 27 East Street in Pittsfield.

This 90-minute musical is based on the works of the beloved children's book author Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. “Seussical” was co-conceived by Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Eric Idle. The book, music, and lyrics were written by Lynn Ahrens (book, lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (book, music). The authors have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all of the Whos of Whoville!  ‘Seussical’ reunites director/choreographer Christine O’Grady and musical director Brian Usifer; they are the creative team who brought audiences last summer’s wildly successful Youth Theatre production of “Disney’s High School Musical.” 

“Seussical” features Kathryn Burgner (Dalton) as The Cat in the Hat, Gabrielle Smachetti (Dalton) as JoJo; Mitch Galli (Williamstown) as Horton the Elephant; Sara Newman (Great Barrington) as Gertrude McFuzz, Maggie McGuire (Ravena, NY) as Mayzie La Bird, Kimberly Gritman (Pittsfield) as Sour Kangaroo; Colin Mackey (Pittsfield ) as Mr. Mayor, Natalie Sala (Pittsfield) as Mrs. Mayor.  The mischievous Wickersham Bros will be played by Adam Chicoine (Pittsfield), Mitchell Despain (Adams) and James Fitzgerald (NYC); Patience Fairbrother (West Stockbridge), Jesse Rothschild (NYC), Frances Slote (Lenox), and Tara Mah (Pittsfield) complete the cast.

“Seussical” opened at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre during the 2000-2001 season.  It starred Kevin Chamberlin, Janine LaManna and Michele Pawk, among others, while such stars as Rosie O'Donnell and Cathy Rigby appeared as 'The Cat in the Hat' later in the show's run. 

The design team for “Seussical” comprises Kelly Syring (scenic design), Renee Bell and Kristina Sneshkoff (costume design), Ashley Mills (lighting design) and Chris Lutz (sound design).

Musical partners for over 20 years, Ahrens & Flaherty are the Tony Award-winning songwriting team who’ve penned the musicals “Ragtime,” “Once On This Island,” “Seussical,” “My Favorite Year,” “Luck Stiff,” “A Man of No Importance,” “Dessa Rose,” and most recently, “The Glorious Ones.”

Performances of Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre production of “Seussical” will take place at First Church of Christ, 27 East Street, Pittsfield.  Performance times are: Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays at 2 pm & 7 pm, Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 7 pm, Sundays at 2 pm.  General admission tickets are $15-adults, $10-students.  Preview tickets on July 16 and 17 are $8.  Group discounts are available. For tickets visit www.barringtonstageco.org, call (413) 236-8888, or purchase in person at 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.