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Suessical Jr. details
- Tickets: March 5-8, 12-15
- Directed by Alie B. Gorrie
- Kristin Staskowski, assistant director/musical director
- Elaine Bivens, assistant choreographer
- Adriane Clemens, stage manager
Excitement is building at the Levite JCC as young performers prepare to take the stage for this season’s whimsical production of Seussical Jr. The colorful musical, filled with imagination and heart, showcases not only the talent of its cast but also the steady growth of the LJCC Youth Theater program.
Suessical Jr. showtimes are March 5-8 and 12-15. Visit our box office to get tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Director Alie B. Gorrie says this year’s production reflects how far the program has come. “Every show builds on the last,” she explains. “With Seussical Jr. you can really see the confidence our returning performers have gained, and it’s inspiring to watch new students step into that same supportive environment.”
That sense of momentum has been years in the making. Audiences may remember Xanadu Jr. in 2023 under the direction of Jill Marlar, which brought a large ensemble together and whetted the community’s appetite for youth theater. Annie Jr. the following year expanded the program’s musical range and technical ambition, while the world of The Wizard of Oz allowed young actors to explore classic storytelling.
Last season’s Matilda Jr. highlighted the program’s growing sophistication, with each production increasing participation, deepening skills, and strengthening the program’s reputation as a creative home for young people.
Oh, the places they’ll go!
For Shannon Brasovan, who supervises the theater program, that trajectory is exactly the point. “We’re not just putting on shows — we’re building a pipeline for confidence and creativity,” she says. “The goal isn’t to build Broadway — it’s to give kids a place to fall in love with the art itself and the life skills that come with it: teamwork, empathy, resilience.”
For Seussical the teamwork includes expanding the program’s pool of parent volunteers and forging partnerships that include sharing resources and knowledge with Terrific New Theater and other area professionals. Seussical also will showcase for the first time the talents of choreographer Elaine Bivens, who teaches in the LJCC’s Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center, and Samford student Adriane Clemens as stage manager.
Assistant Director/Music Director Kristin Staskowski sees growth in every rehearsal. “You watch students discover their voices, sometimes for the first time,” she says. “It’s exciting to see them realize they can do hard things and support each other in the process.”
Alie B. agrees, noting that the collaborative spirit behind Seussical mirrors the culture the LJCC has worked to cultivate. “The magic isn’t only onstage,” she says. “It’s in the friendships, the teamwork, and the pride these kids feel when they accomplish something together.”
As opening night approaches, Seussical Jr. stands as both a joyful theatrical event and a celebration of a program that continues to grow — one production and one young performer (and more than a few volunteers), at a time — sending students forward with confidence for wherever their own “places they’ll go” may lead.
The banner at the top of this page includes images by Emily Allred and Carol Cornelius.