“Seussical”
Directed by Jillian B. Von Gunten,
Musical Direction by Sheryl Wise
July 20, 21, 27, 28 – 7pm
July 22, 29, 2018 – 2:30pm
Cast List:
Liddie Bugglin- Ensemble
Liddie is going to be an 8th grader. This is her first show at ZCT and she is having a good time. She has also been in Bye Bye Birdie as a fangirl, Lion King, Jr. as a lioness and Angel Tree. She likes to crochet in her free time.
Abigail Bugglin- Ensemble
Abby is going into the 9th grade at West Muskingum High School. She has done Angel Tree in the past and she really enjoys theater and acting. She likes to watch anime, draw and play video games.
Sophie Cover- Ensemble
Sophie is going into the 7th grade at Zanesville Middle School. She has been seen in the Nutcracker and school choir performances. This is her first show at ZCT and is having a great time. She enjoys talking to her friends, playing her flute and attending a conservation camp.
Coen Cox-Wickerhsham Brother
Coen is a freshman at Philo High School. He has participated in many theatrical productions such as The Lion King (Simba), Boxcar Children (Henry), On Golden Pond (Billy), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), The Music Man (Winthrop), Oliver (Oliver), Beauty and the Beast (Beast). In addition to acting, Coen also sings, dances, draws and plays percussion.
Maddie Gantzer- Jojo
Maddie is 12 years and goes to Zanesville Middle School. She has been in over 20 musicals and plays in the last 6 years. Some of her favorite roles include Anastasia in Cinderella, Violet in Boxcar Children, and Emily in In laws, Outlaws, and Other (That Should be Shot). In her free time she enjoys going on Pinterest, playing percussion instruments in band, and hanging out with her besties.
Sarah Gantzer- Mayzie LaBird
Sarah is a teacher for Zanesville City Schools, and the Chorus and Choreography instructor at Movement on Main, as well as the Drama Club Advisor for ZHS. In August she begins training at THE Ohio State University to be a Literacy Collaborative Literacy Coach. She is a very active member of the arts community in Zanesville. Sarah is a board member of the South Eastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Secretary of the Zanesville Memorial Concert Band Board, as well as a board member at Zanesville Community Theatre. Favorite Directorial experiences include “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”(The Renner), “The Little Mermaid Jr”, (ZCT), “13 the Musical” (ZCT), “Mulan Jr.” (Secrest Auditorium), “The Music Man”, “Oklahoma” and “Puzzle Pieces”, (ZHS). She also serves as the ZCT Day Camp Director each summer. Favorite onstage roles include: Marian, “The Music Man” (The Renner), Rapunzel, “Into the Woods” (ZCT), Elizabeth Proctor, “The Crucible” (The Renner), Gerda “The Hollow” (ZCT), Rosa Bud ”The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (The Renner), Elvira “Blithe Spirit” (ZCT), and Ulla, “The Producers” (ZCT). She is so thankful to everyone who supports the arts in our area, especially her friends and family, who help replenish her sparkle as needed.
Julia Gantzer- Bird Girl
Julia is 14 years old and attends Zanesville High School. She has done over 20 productions in the past six years. Some of her favorite roles include Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Mushu in Mulan, and a cheerleader in 13: The Musical. Julia has taken dance all her life, but recently stopped so that she could get more involved with school, band, and do more theatre. In her free time, she enjoys playing the flute in marching band and hanging out with her friends. Julia has served as the Assistant Director for ZCT Day Camp for the last 3 summers.
Grayson Gantzer- The Lorax
Grayson is 9 years old and goes to Zane Grey Intermediate. Grayson has been in over 10 plays and musicals. Some of his favorite roles include Racoon in Peter Pan, Benny in The Boxcar Children, and himself in various Angel Tree productions. In his free time he enjoys playing outside, watching silly videos, and hanging out with family and friends.
Josiah Gross- Yertle The Turtle
Josiah Gross is in 8th grade and homeschooled. He is the second oldest of 6 kids and 13 years old. Outside of theatre, Josiah enjoys art, and also has a passion for animals. This will be Josiah’s 8th show, with some of his favorites being Henry in “Boxcar Children” and Mufasa in “The Lion King Jr.” He has had a lot of fun being in “Seussical” and hopes you enjoy the show!
Lydia Gross- Ensemble
Lydia Gross is 12 years old and in the 7th grade. She is homeschooled and is one of six siblings, her brother Josiah and sister Claire are also in the show. Other than theater, Lydia plays soccer and is involved with her youth group at church. She loves music, reading, drawing and hanging out with friends. She has been in a few other shows including; “A Little Princess”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Lion King Jr.”, and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. She has enjoyed being a part of this show and hopes that you all enjoy watching it!
Claire Gross- Ensemble
Claire is 8 years old and homeschooled. She is one of six siblings and has enjoyed getting to be in a play with her older brother Josiah and sister Lydia. Other than theater, she also plays soccer and the violin. She has also been in “The Wizard of Oz”, and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” along with several church programs. Claire has loved getting to be a part of this show and hopes that you all enjoy it!
Ella Hartman-Bird Girl
Ella s a sophomore at Philo High School. She has been in several shows but some of her favorites include 13 (Charlotte), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), and Forgiven: a Fairy Tale (Young Cinderella). Apart from theatre she enjoys competing in dance, playing soccer, and listening to music.
Landon Hartman – Ensemble
Attends Bishop Fenwick (6th grade)
He enjoys exploring nature, hanging with friends, plays baseball and wrestles.
Linda Hatfield- Bird Girl
A fan of Seussical from years ago, Linda once portrayed The Cat in a library show!
That Summer Reading was musical fun, and even the parents were sad when it was done.
Theater is something Linda enjoys, with the excitement, drama, music and noise.
She’s played several roles, one or the other, but usually ends up playing someone’s mother!
A librarian and a teacher, Seussical just seems to fit, for Linda’s love for words just won’t quit.
Being a Bird Girl makes Linda happy, you will see, and singing the high notes fills her with glee.
So, enjoy our show, we know you should, for these things are fun, and fun is good!
Margaret Hemphill-Wysong- Ensemble
Margi has been bitten by the theater bug, since her first performance in Evita. Although house, garden, her breast cancer support group, and McIntire Terrace association keep her busy, she enjoys being on stage. But the best part of the theater is all the wonderful people she has met (and seen on stage!). YOPP—she is having the time of her life with all her new friends!
Steven Hendershott- The Cat in the Hat
You may have seen Steve on this stage in various roles over the last few years ranging from the murderous Sweeney Todd to the mild-mannered Leo Bloom, or a somewhat disturbed Juan Peron, and a little of everything in between. This is, however, the first time he’s ever played a cat, and he’s having a terrific time with this splendid group. He’s especially excited to be able to share this fun with all three of his awesome daughters. A truly proud papa.
When he isn’t on stage or in rehearsal, Steve works at the David Crist State Farm agency and has enjoyed his “temporary” position there for the last 12+ years.
None of this would be possible without the exceptional support of his AMAZING wife, Jolene, and his loving daughters, Jadyn, Cady and Alonna. Jolene has put up with Steve for over 16 years now, and he is so grateful to her for being the real reason for anything that could be called his success!
Alonna Hendershott- Young Kangaroo
Alonna is excited to play the young kangaroo in Seussical. She has done many shows. Some of her roles include Gretel in Forgiven a Fairy Tale, Marie in Aristocats, and Young Nala in The Lion King. She also enjoys dancing at Movement on Main, gymnastics, painting, eating, and watching Netflix.
Jadyn Hendershott- Bird Girl
Jadyn is thrilled to be playing a Bird Girl in Seussical. When she’s not practicing for Seussical, Jadyn enjoys singing, dancing, tending to her pets – in particular, her chinchilla, Zeus – playing trumpet and piano, and listening to Broadway musicals. She has been in many productions over the past several years, but some of her favorite roles include Kendra in 13 the Musical (ZCT), ensemble in CATS (WYART), and Rafiki in Lion King Jr. (The Renner).
Cady Hendershott- Ensemble
Cady is 13 years old and goes to Tri Valley Middle School.She has done over 10 shows in the past 7 years. Some of her favorite roles include Druzilla in Cinderella, a hyena in The Lion King, and a narrator in Aladdin. Some of her hobbies include shopping at the dollar store, reading, eating, and hanging out with her besties Maddie and Emma.
Nancy Hynds- Bird Girl
Nancy hasn’t been on stage in quite a while but thought this show sounded fun and she was correct. Though moving to a new house rental and having a kidney stone removed while navigating the rehearsal schedule, she has enjoyed the show and all the folks involved. Relax and enjoy while Horton hears a Who.
Paige Johnson- Ensemble
Paige is 5th grade at Duncan Falls Elementary. She has been in Mulan, Jr., and has performed in the Nutcracker. In her spare time, she likes to dance, play many sports, and read.
Jordan Joseph- Ensemble
Jordan is a 6th grader at Bishop Fenwick. He plays the piano and enjoys playing video games. He has been in Rosecrans Theater’s Cinderella Kids. This is his first show at ZCT.
Reese Kornovich- Ensemble
Reese is a fifth grader at John Glenn. She has been in several shows, including Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Little Mermaid. When not at rehearsal, she enjoys singing, playing the piano and drawing. She is excited to be a Who in this production of Seussical.
Kevin McCarthy- Mr. Mayor
Kevin is the mayor of this Who town…what is this shouting all about? Why can’t anyone guess Horton’s little secret!? This is not only a fun show, but I appreciate the messages behind the story – good lessons for kids of all ages to remember. I also enjoy the many wonderful characters on stage performing in their roles. However, I am most excited to share this show with my youngest daughter, Mia, and my First Lady/Mrs. Mayor, Dee. Enjoy your trip to the land of Seuss with us!
Dee McCarthy- Mrs. Mayor
Dee is the Mayors wife, and the mayor’s wife for real of 25 years this year. It’s fun sharing our love of the arts with each other and our children (Mia McCarthy is a jungle animal and a hunch). Dee has been in many shows at ZCT over the last 30 years, including Seussical when she played the sassy Sour Kangaroo. Seussical is a great show and even more fun to do it with so many talented directors, backstage crew and of course actors. Sit back, enjoy, and let your thinks take you places you’ve never been before!
Mia McCarthy- Ensemble
Mia is a junior at Zanesville High School. She is excited to be a jungle creature, fish and a Hunch in this production of Seussical. She has been in several shows, including In-Laws, Outlaws (And Other People Who Should be Shot), the Little Princess, Cheaper By the Dozen and several shows through her school. She is a dancer in the Devilettes at school.
Gordon Joseph McKnight – Wickerhsham Brother
Gordon McKnight is excited to be back onstage at ZCT after a five year hiatus. He has been busy as a student at Wright State University where he founded an underground (but above-ground) theatre company in his apartment. As part of this troupe, he has performed in various notable roles such as Mother Abbess in Shnitzel with Noodle, Troy Bolton in HSM: Sing-along, and Sweeney Todd (a role in which he shamelessly cast himself). He can’t wait to “monkey around” alongside the best 13 the Musical cast member in Seussical! Hi, Coen, you’re still my favorite.
Riley McNeil- Ensemble
Riley is a 6th grader at Bishop Fenwick School. This is her second “Seussical” production (Yertle the Turtle in “Seussical Kids”) and narrated the “Cinderella” production at Fenwick last year. She enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her family and friends.
Gigi Nordine- Ensemble
Gigi is 11 years old and is homeschooled. She has done over 10 plays and musicals including The Lion King as a lioness, and Charlotte’s Web as the announcer. GiGi also dances a lot. In her free time she likes to hang out with her friends and watch tv.
Allie Norman- Ensemble
Allie is 14 years old and she attends Tri-Valley High School. She has been in over 15 shows in multiple places. Some of her favorite roles were Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, a centipede in James and the Giant Peach and Iago in Aladdin. In her free time she enjoys swimming, doing 4-H and being in the NHS.
Amelia Olinger-Shaffstall- Ensemble
Amelia really loves participating in ZCT plays, meeting and making such wonderful friends. Amelia was in Sherlock Holmes, a drama, and also in Annie Get Your Gun, a musical. Seussical has become one of Amelia’s favorite plays because she loves the fantastic music! When not singing Seussical songs at home, she likes to spend time with her family, and her cat.
Colleen Piccone- Thing #1
Colleen is 12 years old and goes to Philo Junior High. She has played a soldier in Mulan, and in the ensemble in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is involved in singing recitals with Tyler Driggs. Colleen enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, doing archery, dancing at Movement on Main, and playing the trombone in band.
Christy Rahrig- Bird Girl
Christy Rahrig is a flutter to be part of this production as a Bird Girl (or Big Bird 3, or BB3). On stage theatre credits for the Zanesville area include Bunny in In-Laws, Outlaws… here at ZCT last fall, 2 Angel Trees, and as Mrs. Merkle in Bye Bye Birdie in 2017 and Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 2016 with Zane Trace Players. She was also on the production team for The Lion King, Jr. at the Renner this spring. While this is her sixth show in Zanesville, Christy is no stranger to the stage, having done over 30 productions in her native northwest Ohio. Christy also sings Alto in the Greater Zanesville Singers and plays Alto Saxophone in the Zanesville Memorial Concert Band. In her “free time,” she enjoys married life with her husband, Kevin, who will be “Schmitzing” it up as the General in this show. Community theatre with your family and friends is fun!
Kevin Rahrig- Gen. Ghenghis Khan Schmitz
My name’s Kevin Rahrig and I am excited to play this role in Seussical for you today. So please have a seat and keep clear of the aisle and let me tell you about myself for a while. This is my third show on the ZCT stage, and past shows I’ve been in here have been all the rage. I was ensemble in Evita which was loads of fun and before that, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun. I played trumpet in Grey Gardens and over at the Renner, I have been in Angel Trees for the past two Decembers. Also at the Renner I was in Bye Bye Birdie and Drood, and music directing Lion King Jr. always put me in a good mood. Outside of the theatre I’m in the Memorial Concert Band, and singing tenor in the Greater Zanesville Singers is quite grand. During the day, I teach music at Bishop Rosecrans and Fenwick and I also direct the Mass Choir at St. Nick. Did I mention my wife Christy is in the show too? She is one of the bird girls, a great six singer crew. Well, that is my bio with information about me, and now on with the show here at ZCT!
Madison Revennaugh- Ensemble
Madison is going into the 8th grade at West Muskingum. She enjoys reading and marching band. She has been in Lion King, Jr. and Aladdin, Jr. at The Renner. This is her first show at ZCT!
Alaina Roberts- Ensemble
Alaina Roberts (Who, Hunch) is a 5th grader at Dresden Elementary. She loves reading, swimming, and spending time with her family. She loves animals and has two cats of her own. She is a member of Girl Scouts and her school’s student council. She enjoys performing with her local theatre company and has been in many plays, including Black Beard the Pirate at the Midland, Mulan with MYPG, Forgiven at ZCT, James and the Giant Peach at the Renner and Cinderella Kids at ZCT camp.
Rory Sandlund- Ensemble
Rory Sandlund is seven years old and starting second grade this fall. This is her first theater production at ZCT. She loves reading, hiking, camping, soccer, and singing.
Luc Scott- Ensemble
Luc likes being a part of the ZCT community. He is going into eighth grade, and is in the Philo drumline.
Minh-Phuong Scott- Ensemble
Minh- Phuong is performing in her first play ever, and loves it! She is going into fourth grade. She likes to play with her neighbors, and really loves animals!
Minh-Lien Scott- Ensemble
Minh-Lien is going into fifth grade. She is happy to be a part of ZCT’s Seussical performance! She likes to bike outside and read.
Minh-Chau Scott- Ensemble
Minh-Chau is thrilled to be in her first production at ZCT! She will be a junior at TVHS. When she’s not performing and following the Broadway scene, she enjoys reading and baking.
Bryce Seaborn- The Sour Kangaroo
This will be Bryce’s first musical here at ZCT. You may recognize him from last years “Inlaws and Outlaws” as Tony. He says he is excited to be portraying his first female character in a show, with such an amazingly talented cast.
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. SEUSS
Jay Shaffstall- Vlad Vladikov
Jay is delighted to be in Seussical. He was previously in shows such as A Little Princess, Annie Get Your Gun, Forgiven, Sherlock, and Boxcar Children, although this is his first time portraying an eagle. When he’s not on stage he teaches Computer Science at Muskingum University, along with advising the student board gaming and roleplaying clubs. His favorite hobby is LARPing, which is a bit like improvisational theater with a little more structure, or like being in a play with a lot less structure.
Caleb Silvia- The Grinch
Caleb Silvia is 14 years old and will be a freshman at West Muskingum High School. He has been involved in theater since the age of 5, when he made his acting debut as Toto in the Wizard of Oz. Caleb has performed in numerous shows, but his favorite portrayals to date include Timon in “Lion King, Jr.” and Chip in “Beauty and the Beast.” In addition to singing & acting, Caleb enjoys improv, photography, and playing piano, and is a member of the Jersey Ridge Happy Hustlers 4-H Club. He is also founder & president of his own organization, Caleb Cares 4 Kids, which provides gifts and financial support to pediatric hospital patients and their families.
Natalie Stewart – Ensemble
My name is Natalie Stewart I am at jungle creature and a circus performer. This is my first show at ZCT. When I was in high school I was involved in theater. I was in “Barnum” “voices from the high school” “12 Angry Jurors”, “Cinderella”, “Harvey”, “Wizard of Oz”, “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Sound of Music.” I am right now in college studying to become a middle school teacher. I am really excited to get back involved in theater and to be back doing something I love.
Shelby Stotts- Horton The Elephant
Shelby is a Media Production Major at Muskingum University. This is his first show with ZCT, but he has been doing theatre for seven years, and he previously played roles such as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables” at Weathervane Theatre and Audrey II in “Little Shop of Horrors” at West Muskingum High School.
Evie Swick- Ensemble
Evie is the daughter of Brun and Devan Swick. She is 12 years old and a 7th grader at New Lexington Middle School. Evie loves theater and has been in many productions over the last 6 years. She has had the honor of playing “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz, “Cinderella” in Cinderella and “Jessi” in The Boxcar Children, to name a few. Evie also loves to sing, write books and play video games. She is super excited to be a part of Seussical, and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Cary Blake Underwood- Gertrude McFuzz
Cary is a Communications Major at Ohio University Zanesville. She has been involved in the theatre her whole life and now serves as a member of the board of directors. Most recently she portrayed Bianca in “The Taming of the Shrew”.
Dominik Van Nort- Ensemble
Dominik is so excited to be in this play. His last play was “Wizard of Oz” where he had so much fun that he couldn’t wait to be in another show. He is a 2nd grader at Perry Elementary and enjoys video games, football, and hockey.
Peyton Van Nort- Ensemble
Peyton is 16 years old and will be a junior at Bishop Rosecrans High School. She most recently has been Pepper in “Sherlock Holmes” and in the ensemble in “Evita” at ZCT. She was Violet in “Hello My Baby” at The Renner. Her favorite role has been Lucy in the musical “13”.
Alaina Wahl- Thing #2
Hi my name is Alaina Wahl, I am 12 years old and I am entering the 7th grade at Philo Jr High School. This is my first year of acting and I have done three plays at Philo High School. I have been cast in, All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play, Lottery and, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. My hobbies are swimming, fishing, and playing clarinet. I am looking forward to where my acting career will take me in the future.
Lauren Wahl- Ensemble
Hi my name is Lauren Wahl (Who) I am 10 years old and going into the 5th grade at Duncan Falls Elementary. This is my first ever play. I really enjoy swimming, playing with my sister, and art. My favorite Dr. Suess character is the Lorax (AKA the ‘Lauren-ax’). Doing this play has been a lot of fun, so you might see me in another one someday soon!
Stephanie Wahl- Ensemble
Stephanie Wahl (jungle creature, fish, circus performer). I work as a clinical therapist at Mid Ohio Behavioral Heath in Zanesville. I am blessed to be married to my amazing husband Keith and have three great children. After my mother passed suddenly in April I decided to try my hand at theater as I needed a little distraction. ZCT has been a wonderful experience and the people I have met here have been very encouraging, it is truly is like a family! I look forward to more adventures with ZCT in the future.
Maggie Ward- Ensemble
Maggie has been in a growing number of shows, including Annie Jr., her first show at ZCT, and again in 7th grade at Bishop Fenwick. She’s been in Fairy Tale Courtroom, Lion King Jr, The Wizard of Oz, and Cinderella Jr. She has also done The Nutcracker for 8 years, and the part of Clara this past holiday season. She’s excited to be in another show, and hopes you enjoy it, too!
Becca Wilson- Ensemble
Becca Wilson is a 17 year old graduate who loves theater! Becca has been in multiple other shows. She has been seen in Aladdin Jr., Quilters, Annie Get Your Gun, Forgiven, James and the Giant Peach Jr., Bye Bye Birdie, and Hello My Baby. She loves being on the stage and when she is not at the theater, you will find her with her friends or singing around the house.
Hannah Wilson-Ensemble
Hannah Wilson is a 19-year-old high school graduate currently earning college credit via examination while also working part-time at Lapp it up Kombucha. This is her third play alongside The Renner’s productions of James and the Giant Peach Jr and Bye Bye Birdie, and her first at ZCT. Hannah started writing at eight years old and hasn’t really stopped since – she hopes to one day become a published author.
