Seussical Jr. coming to Port Jervis, NY this weekend! Opening Night 8/14!

By Sharon E. Siegel

PORT JERVIS, NY – It’s here!  The Actors Community Theater Group, Inc. (A.C.T.) Seussical Jr.’s Opening Night is tonight, followed by a weekend of additional chances to enjoy local performers bring Dr. Seuss beloved characters to life – right here in Port Jervis, NY. 

Show dates and times are: Tonight -- August 14 (7 p.m.), August 15 (11 a.m. & 7 p.m.), and August 16 (2 p.m.). Each performance will take place in the comfort of Port’s historic (air-conditioned) Community Youth Center at 134 Pike Street, on a stage specifically built for ongoing A.C.T. shows. Seussical Jr. is only being performed this weekend, so be sure to mark your calendar to enjoy the fun.

Seussical Jr. brings dozens of fun, animated characters and exciting, heartwarming storylines to audiences. It keeps everyone laughing, taping their feet to the music, and applauding the young actors and actresses who will skillfully put on each of this weekend’s four performances. The whimsical, lively musical that its characters on magical journeys while carrying lively, hilarious, and simultaneously uplifting subliminal messages of kindness, mutual respect, and caring.   

I had a chance to speak with some of the cast members during a dress rehearsal this week. Each of the young actors and actresses explained their character’s personality, the messages, and their connection in the show overall.

MEET SOME OF THE CAST:

Noah Halpenny (Horton the Elephant):  Noah sees the show as bringing a lot of different messages in just one show. These include being confident in one’s self, not judging others, and understanding each other’s perspective – person-to-person.

Reed O’Dea (JoJo): Reed says it can truly be a ‘small world’ and he’s glad to be found by Horton.  His character is lonely, with no friends, and nobody to believe him – until Horton actually notices him, takes him seriously, and speaks up for him.

Jayden Terwilliger (Cat in the Hat – and a Dance Captain): Insane!  That’s how Jayden sees his fun-loving character, and one who helps make the story of Seussical.  As Cat in the Hat, he’s full of energy from the beginning to the end of the show, interacting with every character, from JoJo to Horton to Gertrude, and more.  “The Cat in the Hat helps the storyline to be there, and to be fun,” Jayden said.   

Jamel Little, Jr. (Judge Yertle the Turtle, Head Wickersham, one of the Bird Girls, and one of the Dance Captains):  New to A.C.T., Jamel  is making his debut with the group this weekend, but he’s definitely not new to the stage, to dance, or to performing. Jamel has been in musicals in his former school, and currently in Port Jervis. He sees his character as creative, flexible, collaborative, and offering – and being accepting of – opinions.

Avery Newnam (Sour Kangaroo):  Described by Director Lynsey Sullivan as the ‘powerhouse of the show’ in her role, Avery sees her character’s personality as loud and initially making Horton feel terrible.  She brings beautiful music to the show, her character comes to understand not to judge people too fast,  and to instead listen.

Isabella Terwilliger (Mrs. Mayor): Her part is presented as “better than elegance!”  Isabella said her character presents that it is okay to struggle, and to then get through the struggle.  Isabella previously played the part of JoJo a former PJMS presentation of Seussical Jr.  She is really enjoying the choreography in this show, and she’s having fun being with her fellow cast mates.

Charli Tauszky (Gertrude McFuzz): Director Lynsey Sullivan describes Charli as sweet and demure, but Gertrude McFuzz, her character, as having a lot of problems.  Charli explained that her character feels like an outsider who gets no respect, and who envies and compares herself to others. Charli sees her character as changing over time, and becoming more confident. Rather than this confidence coming from others, she sees her character as noticing and gaining this confidence within herself.

Reagan O’Dea (Mayzie La Bird and one of the Dance Captains): Mayzie is loud, attention-seeking, and completely ‘there to be seen’ without any character growth, according to Reagan, who plays this very animated part.  Yet her director, Lynsey Sullivan, also sees her as a sparkly pop star of the jungle.  “She’s amazing – ( with a ‘y’). She knows who she is. She’s confident, fun, and not going to change,” Lynsey offered.  “She’s inspirational.”

Group Photo:  Jayden Terwilliger (Cat in the Hat), Reed O’Dea (JoJo), Noah Halpenny (Horton the Elephant), Jamel Little, Jr. (Yertle the Turtle & Head Wickersham), Avery Newnam (Sour Kangaroo), Charli Tauszky (Gertrude McFuzz), Reagan O’Dea (Mayzie La Bird)

Group of Four:  In 2012, while current Director Lynsay Sullivan was a student in Port Jervis Middle School and current PJSD School Board Vice President Bill Harris was the Assistant Director of the PJMS Drama Club (still serving a member of the production club), Lynsay played the part of JoJo (currently being played by Reed O’Dea). During that same year, 2012, Joseph Annicaro (current A.C.T. choreographer for Seussical Jr.) played the part of Judge Yertle the Turtle (currently played by Jamel Little, Jr.).

Actor Triplets:  Reed O’Dea (JoJo), Jayden Terwilliger (Cat in the Hat and one of the Dance Captains), and Noah Halpenny (Horton the Elephant) are referenced by A.C.T. Seussical Jr. Director Lynsey Sullivan as the ‘Actor Triplets’ as they are typically in all A.C.T. shows together.