proudly presents
Music by
Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by
Lynn Ahrens
Book by
Lynn Ahrens &
Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by
Eric Idle
Musically Directed by:
Thomas J. Kasdorf
Costumes Designed by:
Kristin Richgels
Choreographed by:
Makenna Parish Day
Set Design by:
Christopher Lechner, Pat Motiff,
Matt Starika-Jolivet
Technical Direction by:
Pat Motiff
Lighting Design:
Christopher Lechner
Sound Design:
Nate Mendl
Kristin Richgels
Produced by:
Thomas J. Kasdorf
Stage Managed by:
Alissa Krantz
Scenic Artist:
Ashton Siewert
Matt Starika-Jolivet
Directed by:
Thomas J. Kasdorf
Matt Starika-Jolivet
Seussical The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
421 West 54th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019. Additional rental materials provided by MTI.
Seussical The Musical
1
THE CAST
The Cat In The Hat.................................................................................................................... Trevor J. Bass
JoJo......................................................................................................................Winter White, Olivia Foght
Horton The Elephant...........................................................................................................Daniel Jajewski
Gertrude McFuzz....................................................................................................................... Amy Gotlieb
Mayzie LaBird.......................................................................................................................... Kaitlyn Landry
Sour Kangaroo.........................................................................................................................Alyson Barrett
The Mayor/General Genghis Kahn Schmitz.............................................................. Garrett Coombs
The Mayor’s Wife................................................................................................................. Natalie Coombs
Kate Mann
BIRD GIRLS
Ashton Siewert
Bridget Schwefel
Frost White
Thomas Berthalon-Lathrop
THE WICKERSHAM BROTHERS
Patrick Chounet
Sam Vinitsky
Kenny Ingram
Jennifer Marsland
Maria Marsland
ENSEMBLE
Kiki Moritsugu
Danielle Olstead
Kallee Scheidegger
Poppy Smallman
Isabella Virrueta
Matt White
Elizabeth Engle
Krista Lederer
WHO CADETS
Elena Paul
Poppy Smallman
Kallee Scheidegger
UNDERSTUDIES
Kiki Moritsugu (u/s Cat), Thomas Berthalon-Lathrop (u/s Horton),
Kate Mann (u/s Sour Kangaroo), Jennifer Marsland (u/s Mayzie),
Matt White (u/s Mayor,General), Danielle Olstead (u/s Mayor’s Wife),
Bridget Schwefel (u/s Gertrude)
DANCE CAPTAIN:
Kiki Moritsugu
ORCHESTR A
Keyboards........................................................................................... Abby DiFonzo, Thomas J. Kasdorf
Guitar................................................................................................................................... Jason McPherson
Bass.................................................................................................................................................Hope Quade
Percussion.............................................................................................Patrick Coughlin, Teddy Williams
Trumpet....................................................................................................................................Jamie Wozniak
Trombone....................................................................................................................... Dustin Zimmerman
Reeds...............................................................................................................Chance Stine, Brad Johnson
Violin....................................................................................................................................................Kiran Nair
Viola..................................................................................................................................... Rebecca Fincutter
Cello...................................................................................................................................Zou Zou Robidoux
CONDUCTED BY:
Matt Starika-Jolivet
2
Middleton Players Theatre
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
Overture.............................................................................................................................................Orchestra
Oh The Thinks You Can Think!............................................................................................Cat, Ensemble
Horton Hears A Who................................................................................. Horton, Bird Girls, Ensemble
Biggest Blame Fool.........................................................................................Sour Kangaroo, Ensemble
Here On Who...........................................................................Horton, Mayor, Mayor’s Wife, The Whos
Oh The Thinks You Can Think (Reprise).......................................................................................Cat, JoJo
It’s Possible..................................................................................................................... Cat, JoJo, Ensemble
How To Raise A Child..................................................................................................Mayor, Mayor’s Wife
The Military..................................................................................................................General, Who Cadets
Alone In The Universe..............................................................................................................Horton, JoJo
The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz..................................................................... Gertrude
Amazing Mayzie........................................................................................... Mayzie, Gertrude, Bird Girls
Amazing Gertrude.............................................................................................. Gertrude, Cat, Bird Girls
Monkey Around............................................................................... The Wickersham Brothers, Horton
Chasing The Whos...................................................... Sour Kangaroo, Horton, Bird Girls, Ensemble
How Lucky You Are......................................................................................................................................Cat
Notice Me Horton.............................................................................................................Gertrude, Horton
How Lucky You Are (Reprise).....................................................................................................Mayzie, Cat
Finale Act I.............................................................................................Horton, Bird Girls, Cat, Ensemble
ACT II
Entr’acte..............................................................................................................................................Orchestra
Our Story Resumes.................................................................Cat, Horton, JoJo, Bird Girls, Ensemble
Egg, Nest, & Tree......................................................... Sour Kangaroo, Bird Girls, Horton, Ensemble
The Circus McGurkus........................................................................................... Cat, Horton, Ensemble
Mayzie In Palm Beach.................................................................................................................Mayzie, Cat
Mayzie At The Circus/Amazing Horton........................................................................Mayzie, Horton
Alone In The Universe (Reprise).......................................................................................................Horton
Solla Sollew...................................................................................................................... Horton, Ensemble
The Butter Battle.............................................................................................. General, JoJo, Cat, Cadets
A Message From The Front/Solla Sollew (Reprise)...........................Cadets, Mayor, Mayor’s Wife
JoJo Alone In The Universe.................................................................................................................... JoJo
Havin’ A Hunch............................................................................................................. Cat, JoJo, Ensemble
All For You........................................................................................................................................... Gertrude
The People Vs. Horton The Elephant................... Sour Kangaroo, Horton, Bird Girls, Ensemble
Finale Act II/Oh The Thinks You Can Think..............................................................................Ensemble
Green Eggs & Ham..........................................................................................................................Ensemble
Seussical The Musical
3
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS....................................................................................................Kristin Richgels
CO-DIRECTOR/ MUSICAL DIRECTOR........................................................................ Thomas J. Kasdorf
CO-DIRECTOR/PRODUCER.................................................................................Mathew Starika-Jolivet
EXECUTIVE CHOREOGRAPHER..............................................................................................Sara Bartlett
DANCE CAPTAIN.................................................................................................................... Kiki Moritsugu
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER......................................................................................... Alissa Krantz
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS.................................................... Maddie Barton, Lauren Zurovitch
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR...................................................................................................................Pat Motiff
LIGHTING DESIGN..................................................................................................... Christopher Lechner
SOUND DESIGN............................................................................................................................Nate Mendl
COSTUME DESIGN................................................................................................................Kristin Richgels
PROPERTIES.................................................................................................................................Alissa Krantz
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS................................................. Mathew Starika-Jolivet, Paul Bartlett
WEB DESIGNER............................................................................................................................Sara Bartlett
PROMOTION & PUBLICITY................................................................................................Michelle Larson
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR................................................................................................ Kyle Lippart
HOUSE MANAGER................................................................................................................... Shelly Lampe
BOX OFFICE MANAGER.......................................................................................................... Felix Richgels
SCENIC ARTIST.......................................................................................................................Ashton Siewert
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGN.....................................................................................................Nicole Brenner
PLAYBILL DESIGN....................................................................................................... Footlights Magazine
BACKSTAGE CREW......................................................................................................................................Cast
CONSTRUCTION/PAINTING...............................................................................Cast, Staff, and Families
T H A N K S A N D AC K N OW L E D G M E N T S
Struck & Irwin Fence Company
Newcomb Construction
Pat Motiff
Clark Street Community School
Michael Bruno
Matt Geiger
Aaron Conklin
WKOW 27 News
Sprecher’s Pub & Restaurant
Sun Prairie United Methodist Church
Middleton Community Orchestra
Children’s Theatre of Madison
Madison Theatre Guild
Park Printing Solutions
Electronic Theatre Controls
4
Middleton Players Theatre
BIOGR APHIES
ABBY SPERGER (Child) Abby Sperger
is excited to be performing in her first
production. Abby is a seventh grader at
Glacial Creek Middle School and enjoys
playing the cello, riding horses, and
spending time with her family at the lake.
ALYSON BARRETT (Sour Kangaroo)
Alyson is thrilled to be returning to the
Middleton stage for the 2nd time this
summer after performing in Jesus Christ
Superstar as one of the Priests in May.
Other recent theatre credits include: A
New Brain (Lisa/Homeless Lady) Music
Theatre of Madison, The Rocky Horror
Show (Columbia) Mercury Players/Out!Cast
Theatre, Nine (Maria) Music Theatre of
Madison, Carousel (Ensemble, u/s Nettie
Fowler) Middleton Players Theatre, Bare
(Kyra) Mercury Players/Out!Cast Theatre.
Alyson graduated from the University of
Wisconsin Stevens Point in 2011 with a
degree in opera/vocal performance.
AMY GOTTLIEB (Gertude) Amy is
ecstatic to be rejoining MPT on stage and
fulfilling one of her dream roles! Amy
recently graduated with honors from
UW-Madison where she studied Theatre
and Drama as an acting specialist. During
her undergraduate career, Amy was seen
touring with the Wisconsin Singers as a
singer/dancer and associate dance captain.
Recent credits include Gingy in CTM’s
Shrek, Louise in MPT’s Carousel, Brooke in
University Theatre’s Legally Blonde, Mary
in Nova Light Artistry’s All the Best, Jack,
Wendla in UTA’s Spring Awakening, and a
featured dancer in Four Seasons Theatre’s
Kiss Me, Kate. Big thank you the entire
production staff, cast, and crew for an
amazing experience. All her love to the
Beilttogs and Quinn!
ASHTON SIEWERT (Bird Girl) Ashton is
thrilled to be a part of MPT’s 2016 season
closer, Seussical. Past MPT credits include
Sunday in the Park with George (Old
Lady); Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas); Miss
Saigon (Ellen u/s); Avenue Q (Bad Idea
Bear/Female u/s); Rent (Ensemble/Joanne
u/s); Into the Woods (Jack’s Mom). Ashton
would like to thank Matt and Thomas
for this fun opportunity, and you, the
audience, for helping us keep the arts alive!
BRIDGET SCHWEFEL (Bird Girl and US
Gertude) is delighted to be back with MPT.
Last May, she graduated from Viterbo
University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Music Theatre. Earlier this summer she
performed in a Lerner & Loewe Musical
Revue with Bridge View Entertainment in
LaCrosse, WI. Favorite roles include Ado
Annie in Oklahoma (VU), Claudia in Nine
(MTM), Blue Girl in Shout! (VU), Eponine in
Les Miserables(FST), and Bikini Girl in Rent
(MPT). She would like to thank her parents
for the unconditional love and support
and her friends and colleagues for the
continued inspiration.
DANIEL JAJEWSKI (Horton The Elephant)
is excited to be back on the stage in his
9th MPT show. Recent roles include: Peter
(JCS), Mark (RENT), Soldier (Sunday in the
Park...), Jason (Beautiful Dark), and Shrek
(Shrek the Musical). Dan would like to
thank his sister Colleen, and his parents
Dad John and Pam. He would also like to
thank Matt, and his vocal coach Thomas for
this opportunity. Please enjoy the show,
and keep the arts alive! #makemecathy
#mptforlife”
Seussical The Musical
5
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
DANIELLE OLSTEAD (Ensemble, u/s Mrs.
Mayor) is excited to be a part of MPT’s
summer season for a second year! Active in
community theater in southern Wisconsin
for seventeen years, she has recently
worked on productions of Mary Poppins
(Featured Ensemble) with VACT, The Music
Man (Ethel Toffelmier) with St. Bernard
Players, and was last seen on the MPT stage
in Carousel (Ensemble).
ELENA PAUL (Child Elena) Elena is excited
to join the cast of Seussical the Musical.
This is her third MPT show, previous
performances include: Miss Saigon
(Women’s Ensemble) and Carousel (First
Heavenly Friend). Elena studies dance with
Midwest Performing Arts in Waunakee
and has appeared in The Nutcracker
(Party Girl/Flower/Chinese/Soldier). Other
performances include VACT’s Encore
Jr. (Specialty Dancer) and Hairspray Jr.
(Baltimore Dancer). Elena studies piano,
violin, and voice at Arboretum Music
School. When she is not acting, singing,
or dancing, Elena enjoys playing her new
ukulele along with watching The Great
British Baking Show and Bollywood
movies. She would like to give a big
thanks to her supportive family, teachers,
and especially Matt and Thomas for this
wonderful opportunity to perform. Elena
will be entering 8th grade at Waunakee
Middle School in the fall.
ELIZABETH ENGLE (Child) This is
Elizabeth’s first show with Middleton
Players Theater and she hopes to
continue acting with them throughout
her high school experience she will be
beginning in the fall. Elizabeth was last
seen in VACT’s Bring It On (Killer Instinct
Singer). Some of her favorite shows have
been Hairspray (Penny) with VACT, Les
6
Middleton Players Theatre
Miserables(Ensemble) with Four Seasons
Theater, and Elf Jr. (Rockette) also with VACT.
Elizabeth also enjoys running (she will be
on the Middleton Cross Country team in the
fall) and playing percussion. Elizabeth would
like to thank all of her directors she has
worked with and her friends and family for
supporting her. Hope you enjoy the show!
FROST WHITE (Bird Girl) is excited to be
back with MPT for her 3rd summer and her 7th
show. She has previously appeared as Mimi
in Rent with MPT, Eponine in Les Miserables
with Janesville summer school, and is
currently working as a teaching assistant in
CTM’s summer stage children’s program. She
thanks you all for coming to the show!
GARRETT COOMBS (Mr Mayor and General)
Garrett is returning for his 4th show at
MPT. He’s previously appeared in A Chorus
Line (Mike), Rent (Paul), and Les Misérables
(Enjolras). Other local credits include Mary
Poppins (Bert), Shrek: The Musical (Shrek),
and Singin’ in the Rain (Cosmo Brown), all at
Verona Area Community Theatre. Outside of
theatre, Garrett enjoys cooking and playing
board games with friends. Many thanks
to his wife (both onstage and off ), Natalie,
for all the wonderful things she does (both
onstage and off ).
ISABELLA VIRRUETA (Ensemble) Isabella
is very excited to end this summer with
the delightful production of Seussical the
Musical! This is Isabella’s second season with
MPT. You may have seen her last summer in
MPT’s production of Miss Saigon. Isabella
has more recently been seen as Matilde in
MTG’s production of the Clean House and in
the women’s ensemble of MPT’s production
of JCS. Isabella would like to thank her
friends and family for their support and
hopes you enjoy the show!
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
JENNIFER MARSLAND (Ensemble & US
Mayzie) Jenny Marsland is a junior at The
Boston Conservatory studying for a BFA
in Musical Theater, and is so excited to be
part of the cast of Seussical! Jenny has
performed in many productions in the
Madison community, and this summer
was previously seen in MPT’s Jesus Christ
Superstar (Mary Magdalene) and Gypsy
with Capital City Theatre. She has also
toured with the Kids from Wisconsin as
a singer/dancer and choreographed The
Sound of Music and The Music Man for St.
Ambrose Academy.
KAITLYN LANDRY (Mayzie La Bird)
Kaitlyn is excited to be a part of her fourth
show with Middleton Player’s Theater as
amazing Mayzie! Previous credits include
Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, and
Les Miserables with MPT, Brigadoon,
Ragtime, Aida (Nehebka), and All ShookUp
(Lorraine). When she is not performing,
Kaitlyn is working at Tellurian’s mental
health crisis stabilization program, enjoys
time outside, and preparing to apply
to medical school. Thanks to MPT for
this awesome opportunity and to Mom,
Dad, Jenna, and Mike for your unending
support. Enjoy the show!!
KALLEE SCHEIDEGGER (Ensemble) Kallee
is extremely excited to be returning to
the MPT stage for the third time! She was
most recently seen in VACT’s production
of Mary Poppins (Annie/ Chimney Sweep).
Other productions include: Carousel (MPT),
Singin’ in the Rain(VACT), Les Miserables
(MPT). Kallee would like to give a special
thanks to Matt and Thomas for giving her
the opportunity to bring some very fun
storybook characters to life! She would also
like to thank her very supportive family.
Kallee would like to remind everyone
that if you think big amazing things can
happen! Enjoy the show.
KATE MANN (Bird Girl, u/s Sour Kangaroo)
is thrilled to be returning for her 3rd season
with Middleton Players! She is a recent
graduate of the University of Wisconsin
Theatre & Drama Department’s Acting
Specialist program and has been seen
previously with MPT in Sunday…. George
(Dot/Marie), Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul
Girl/u/s Mary Magdalene), Miss Saigon
(Ellen), Carousel, A Chorus Line (Maggie),
and RENT (u/s Mimi). Other area roles
include University Theatre’s Fugitive Songs
(Alysha), Legally Blonde (Paulette), Good
Kids (Deirdre), The Odyssey (Athena),
and ‘Dentity Crisis (Jane); Undergraduate
Theatre Association’s Spring Awakening
(Ilse); Madison Opera’s Dead Man Walking
(The Girl); and MTM’s Bloody Bloody
Andrew Jackson.
KENNY INGRAM (Ensemble) Kenny
is very excited to be returning for his
third show with MPT after being in
JCS(Ensemble) earlier this season and
MISS SAIGON(Ensemble) last season. You
may have also seen him around Madison
in QUEER SHORTS 9/IT DOESN’T(David),
OUTCAST; BARE(Alan), MERCURY
PLAYERS THEATER and ROCKY HORROR
SHOW(Ensemble), also with MERCURY
PLAYERS THEATER. He is extremely greatful
that he has been given the opportunity to
continue with theater in his community
and would like to thank his friends and
family for always being supportive.
KIKI MORITSUGU (Ensemble, Dance
Captain, u/s Cat In The Hat) has performed
on Broadway (Shogun-The Musical), OffBroadway (Tokyo Can Can) and Off-Off
Broadway (Touch) as well as in Toronto
(Cats at Massey Hall & 2nd Canadian
Nat’l Tour) and in regional theatres
in Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver,
Minneapolis, Washington, DC; Houston,
Seattle & Boston, to name a few. Film/TV
Seussical The Musical
7
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
credits: Chicago PD (NBC); Sing (Tristar);
Cosby Mysteries (NBC); Far East (PBS); A
Son for Sensei (Independent). Recent
credits include Xanadu (Mercury Players/
OUT!Cast Theatre), Christmas with the
Crawfords (Stage Q), Musical Library &
Musical Rebellion(Are We Delicious);
Avenue Q & Miss Saigon (MPT), Rocky Horror
Show (Mercury Players/Out!Cast Theatre)
and Jesus Christ Superstar (MPT). She is
delighted to be performing on stage with
her daughter, Poppy, for the first time!
KRISTA LEDERER (Child Krista) is excited
to be with MPT for the third time after
enjoying performing with them in Les
Miserables and Carousel. Her previous
shows also include: The King and I, The
Jungle Book and Music Man. She will be
in seventh grade at Glacier Creek Middle
School in Cross Plains and devotes her
free time to karate, basketball, swim team
and playing the saxophone. Krista would
like to dedicate these performances to the
fun “characters” in her life-her friends and
family-and especially to her soon-to-be
baby brother or sister!
MADDIE STARIKA-JOLIVET (Baby
Elephant Bird). This is Maddie’s first
time appearing on stage (in front of an
audience) and she couldn’t be more
happy. Maddie is a 1st grader at Windsor
Elementary School. She likes music and
likes to read. She also enjoys swimming
and is looking forward to playing soccer in
the fall. She would like to thank her Daddy
and her Papa for letting her do Seussical
The Musical, and her Aunt Kerry, Uncle Tom,
Great Grandma and Grandpa for coming to
see the show! Bisous!
MARIA MARSLAND (Ensemble) Maria is
a junior at St. Ambrose Academy and is so
excited to join the cast of Seussical in her
MPT debut. Recent productions include
The Sound of Music (Maria Rainer), The
8
Middleton Players Theatre
Music Man (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn),
Annie, and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl)
with St. Ambrose Academy, Cinderella
(Cinderella) with CTM Summer Stage.
Maria is also a member of the Overture
Center’s Tommy Ensemble. She is thrilled
to be on stage with her sister Jenny for the
first time!
MATT WHITE (Ensemble Men) Matt is
happy to be appearing in his third MPT
show (Carousel, Miss Saigon) with his lovely
daughters Frost and Winter. Enjoy the
show!
NATALIE COOMBS (Mayor’s Wife). Natalie
is happy to be returning for her 3rd show
at MPT after appearing in A Chorus Line
(Connie) and Les Miserables. She has also
performed locally in Shrek: The Musical
(Fiona), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
(Sarah), Mary Poppins, and Singin’ In The
Rain at Verona Area Community Theatre.
She is particularly excited to get to perform
opposite her husband, Garrett, for the third
time in as many years!
OLIVIA FOGHT (JoJo) Olivia is thrilled to
be making her MPT debut in Seussical.
Previous credits include Mary Poppins
(Jane Banks), The Little Mermaid
(Flounder), and Annie, Jr (Annie). Special
thanks to Amber Nicole Dilger (voice),
Midwest Performing Arts (dance), as well as
my amazing friends and family for all their
support.
PATRICK CHOUNET (Wickersham
Brothers) is excited to be making his MPT
debut this summer. Patrick also appeared
onstage this summer with Middleton as
Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar and Mr. and
Charles Redmond in Sunday in the Park with
George. A native of Cleveland, OH, Patrick
moved to Madison, where he is employed
in Technical Services at Epic. Although he
received his dual undergraduate degrees
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
in Mathematics and Science at Gannon
University, his passion has always been in
the fine arts, which he received a minor in.
Previous highlights include Held: A Musical
Fantasy (Bardo), Bare: A Pop Musical (Zack),
Princess Ida (Cyril), Spring Awakening (Adult
Males), Bash (Director/Young Man), Camelot
(Arthur), and A Funny Thing Happened on
the Way to the Forum (Pseudolous). Patrick
thanks all of his family and friends for their
support in all of his endeavors.
POPPY SMALLMAN (Ensemble) Poppy
is pumped to be in their first ever onstage
performance! In their free time Poppy likes
to read and draw and has performed with
the Wild Rumpus Circus for four years. They
will be a freshman at East this fall.
TREVOR BASS (Cat in the Hat) Trevor Bass
(ensemble) is happy to be returning to the
Middleton Players stage for the ninth time.
He has also performed in the Madison area
with FST, CTM, and MTG. Favorite roles
include Hunter in [title of show], Matt in
The Fantasticks, and Angel in RENT. He is
coached vocally by Thomas Kasdorf. He’d
like to thank his friends and family for their
ongoing love and support!
WINTER WHITE (JoJo) is thrilled to be
in her first MPT production. She has
previously appeared in Shrek the Musical
and The Velveteen Rabbit with CTM, High
School Musical with VACT, and The Music
Man with St. Bernard Players. Her dad is
awesome and she loves him very much.
SAM VINITSKY (Wickersham Brothers) is
new to Madison, having just moved here
from Minnesota where he received a degree
in Mathematics and Computer Science from
Carleton College. In Minnesota, he has been
seen playing such roles as Seymour in “Little
Shop of Horrors”, Thomas in “The Story of
My Life”, and Margaret Mead in “Hair”. Sam is
extremely excited to have his local premiere
at Middleton Players, and is grateful to be a
part of this exceptionally talented cast.
ALISSA KRANTZ (Stage Manager) Alissa
is very excited to be joining MPT for her
second season. After earning her BFA in
Theatre Stage Management from UWWhitewater. Alissa moved to Middleton
and has since enjoyed working with a
variety of community theatre groups. Her
past work includes Little Shop of Horrors
(Stage Manager) in Mineral Point, WI; Kiss
Me Kate (Assistant Stage Manager) with
Four Season Theatre. Her past work with
MPT includes Avenue Q (Stage Manager),
THOMAS BERTHELON LATHROP
Miss Saigon (Assistant Stage Manager)
(Wickersham Brother/Horton Understudy) is Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage Manager)
thrilled to be part of this amazing cast and and most recently Sunday in the Park with
great production team. He is very excited to George (Stage Manager). Alissa hopes that
be starting his second year as a BA Theatre you enjoy MPT’s Seussical the Musical.
and BA Music double major at Millikin
University. You may have last seen Thomas MATT STARIKA-JOLIVET (Co-Director,
in JCS as an Apostle or last summer as an
Conductor) is thrilled to be returning
ensemble member in Miss Saigon, both
for his fourth year as Co-Artistic Director
with MPT. Past credits include: Pipe Dream alongside Thomas J. Kasdorf. He directed
Studios-MU; A Nightmare on Backstreet
productions of RENT, A Chorus Line, Les
(Male Swing); Middleton High School; Pippin Misérables, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
(Pippin), Don Quixote (Cervantes), Hairspray Carousel in Concert, Avenue Q, and Miss
(Nicest Kid/Corny Un.St.).
Saigon. On stage, Matt has performed with
several local companies including MPT as
Seussical The Musical
9
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods and
Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Madison Theatre
Guild’s 2012 production of Next to Normal.
A native of Colorado, Matt spent several
years touring the country as a performer,
choreographer, director, and producer
after studying musical theatre and vocal
performance at the University of Northern
Colorado. Professional performance
credits include Forever Plaid (Jinx/Frankie
swing, US national tour) and Hair (Arizona
Theatre Company). Other credits include
Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Felix in Do
Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect
Up, Benjamin in Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers, The Scarecrow in The Wizard of
Oz, and Jesus in Godspell. Matt has worked
with Encore International (Evansville, IN),
Old Tucson Studios, The Gaslight Theatre
(Tucson, AZ), The Crown Uptown Theatre,
The Nonesuch Theatre, and The Carousel
Dinner Theatre (Denver, CO). As a director,
Matt has helmed many productions,
including Noises Off, Forever Plaid, Into the
Woods, Godspell, Return to the Forbidden
Planet, and The Music Man. Matt is also
an accomplished voice teacher and
music director. For two years, he served
as the director of Creative Ministries for
Sun Prairie United Methodist Church as
well as assistant directing the Heart of
America Gay Men’s Chorus of Wichita. As a
graphic design artist, Matt has produced
professional artwork for Middleton Players
Theatre, The Cabaret Dinner Theatre,
Pueblo Children’s Theatre, The Gaslight
Theatre, and Johnny Merriner’s Dinner
Theatre and Cabaret. Matt is thrilled to
be back in Madison full-time now as the
Director of Creative Ministries at Sun Prairie
United Methodist Church and working
closely with Reconciling Ministries and
10
Middleton Players Theatre
Proud Theatre. He would like to thank MPT
for all their support, especially Thomas
for being the greatest co-director anyone
could ever ask for, the casts and crews, and
of course Gabe and Maddie for allowing
him to chase his dreams! I love you both so
much!
THOMAS J. KASDORF (Co-Director,
Musical Director) has been working in
the local Madison arts scene for over
fifteen years as an actor, pianist, director,
musical director, producer, and coach.
He couldn’t be more proud to be making
his official onstage MPT debut with this
production. He is a Middleton native, and
recently received his Master’s Degree in
Collaborative Piano from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, where he was
fortunate to be a Collins Distinguished
Graduate Fellow, studying with Martha
Fischer. He also received his Bachelor of
Music degree in Piano Performance from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
studying with Christopher Taylor and
Martha Fischer. Thomas has frequently
appeared as a soloist with the Middleton
Community Orchestra and will be heard
next season performing Gershwin’s
Concerto in F with them. In addition to the
last ten summers spent with MPT, he has
worked locally with Four Seasons Theatre,
University Theatre, Children’s Theatre
of Madison, Strollers Theatre, Madison
Theatre Guild, Stage Q, and Mercury
Players. He proudly serves on the Board of
Directors for Middleton Players Theatre as
Vice President. Many thanks to cast, crew,
staff and orchestra for their talent and
dedication and all of his friends and family
for their enthusiasm and encouragement.
“Keep the arts alive!”
BIOGR APHIES
c o n t.
KRIS RICHGELS (Executive Producer,
Costume Designer) is always amazed at
how this community theatre is able to
produce such incredibly artistic shows!
As always, Kris wishes to express her
appreciation to all who help make these
musicals a success: her husband and
family, and the community that supports
local performing arts.
MICHELLE LARSON (Marketing &
Publicity) has been a theater geek for as
long as she can remember. Much to the
dismay of her family, musicals inspire her
to sing very loudly around the house.
Her vocal talent does not match her
enthusiasm, however, so she gets involved
on the business side of the curtain. She
is thrilled to draw upon her 20+ years in
marketing, communications, and public
relations in the corporate world to promote
the arts and Middleton Players Theatre.
NATE MENDL (Sound Director) graduated
from University of Wisconsin-Madison
in 2004 with a degree in choral music
education and currently teaches vocal
music at McFarland High School. Nate
has designed and mixed sound for the
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and their
annual outdoor Concerts on the Square.
He is a founder of The Cat’s Pajamas Vocal
Band and served as Musical Director
and Producer from 2005-2013. In his
performance career, Nate has appeared on
America’s Got Talent (NBC), The Next Great
American Band (FOX), The SingOff (NBC),
and has entertained at Oprah Winfrey’s
birthday celebrations. Although creating
music dominates most facets of his life,
Nate enjoys a multitude of other activities
and hobbies including hiking, sailing,
photography, model railroads, roller
coasters, and traveling.
MAKENNA PARISH DAY (Choreographer)
is thrilled to be back with MPT for the
first time as a choreographer. She has
previously choreographed for Stoughton
High School: Footloose (Tommy AwardBest Choreography), Shrek the Musical,
and The Drowsy Chaperone. She has
also choreographed for Aligning Stars.
Makenna graduated in 2014 with a B.M. in
Vocal Performance from UW-Whitewater.
She has previously been seen onstage
with MPT in Sunday in the Park with George,
Miss Saigon, Carousel, A Chorus Line, and
Chicago. Other roles have included: Into the
Woods (Witch), The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix
the Aviatrix), Footloose (Rusty), Seussical
the Musical (Gertrude), and Beauty and the
Beast (Babette). She would like to thank her
family and friends for all of their support.
#writtenbyThomas #editedbyMatt
Seussical The Musical
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Middleton Players Theatre