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Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music By
Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics By Lynn Ahrens
Co-Conceived By
Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle
Based on the Works of Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
Director
Alyssa Durbin
Lighting Design
Tanner Douglas
Costume Design
Andrea Robb
Music Director Lori Pagano
Stage Manager
Juno Mayer
Production Assistant
Levi Money
Sound Design
Russell Sides
Props Design
Laura Skroska
Artistic Director
Stephanie Fox
Choreographer
Stephanie Fox
Set Design
Patrice Nelms
Scenic Artist
Tobias Reynolds
Marketing
Mike DePope & Susannah Egley
Crew
Production Photographer
Lisa Teadt Photography
Emily O’Leary
Jillian Romano, Joe Swain, Lily Teadt, Lily Wymore
Welcome to the 11th season of Gateway Center for Performing Arts’ Youth Theatre Company! This season, we have carefully selected productions that not only showcase incredible entertainment but also resonate deeply with contemporary themes and timeless stories
We open our season with the beloved musical Oliver! Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist, this heartwarming story captures the resilience of youth in the face of adversity. The themes of hope, belonging, and the struggle against societal injustices are as relevant today as they were in Dickens' time. The rich, vibrant score invites audiences into a world of both sorrow and joy, making it an ideal choice to highlight the power of musical theatre
Following Oliver!, we will present The Prom, a contemporary musical that shines a light on love, acceptance, and the fight for equality Set against the backdrop of a small town’s high school prom, this uplifting show addresses issues of identity and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth Its heartfelt message remind us of the importance of inclusion and the need for a community that embraces all its members.
This summer, we invite performers to join us for Seussical KIDS and Seussical Junior, production camps designed for ages 6-10 and 11-16, respectively These registration-based programs provide an inclusive environment where students can explore their creativity without the pressure of having to “get in.” Through the whimsical stories of Dr Seuss, campers will embark on a journey of imagination and self-expression, developing confidence and teamwork skills that will last a lifetime.
For our more seasoned young performers, we are excited to announce our audition-based productions of Shrek Junior for ages 10-14 and Into the Woods for ages 14-18. Shrek Junior brings the beloved story of the ogre and his friends to life, celebrating themes of acceptance and friendship with humor and heart Meanwhile, Into the Woods marks a significant milestone as our first foray into the works of Stephen Sondheim. This intricate, enchanting tale intertwines the stories of familiar fairy tale characters, encouraging us to reflect on the complexities of our desires and the consequences of our choices. It promises to be a rewarding experience for our older students, pushing them to explore the depths of their artistic expression
If you like what you see, please consider joining us on our mission to provide quality, challenging, and out-of-the-box theatre for St Louis youth See our shows, take our classes, spread the word, volunteer, or donate. We’d love your story with GCPA to begin today
Stephanie Fox Artistic Director
Hello thinkers big and small!
Welcome to Seussical Jr.! This joyful, imaginative show brings to life the colorful world of Dr. Seuss, weaving together some of his most beloved stories and characters. The story follows Horton the Elephant, who discovers a tiny world called Whoville on a speck of dust and vows to protect it, despite being ridiculed by the other animals in the Jungle of Nool Along the way, he meets characters like the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, and Mayzie LaBird. Themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of imagination shine through as Horton stays true to his belief that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
I am so honored to be directing my first GCPA show! I am even more ecstatic that my first how with the center is Seussical Jr! I have a strong emotional attachment to Seussical built from my experience performing in it and directing it in the past. It is one of my favorite shows because it addresses serious subject matter like bullying, inclusion, and doing what is right in the face of adversity in an approachable way. I believe the show is underrated and often overlooked or swept to the side as being too simple or silly when it is actually a beautiful, poignant, and inspiring show
Seussical Jr. is about the creative power that all people, but especially children, hold and how that spark should be encouraged and nourished instead of stifled. The characters may be larger than life, but they are still very much rooted in truth, which is what makes this show so endearing and relatable.
No celebration of the works of Dr Seuss would be complete without The Cat In The Hat. The Cat serves as a throughline character in the show. They break the fourth wall and make the audience feel like a part of the show. They are a symbol of JoJo’s creativity personified. The cat serves as an embodiment of JoJo’s sheer creative force, which is so powerful it can get him in trouble sometimes
Seussical teaches us the importance of imagination, embracing differences, and staying true to ourselves no matter the consequences. I think it is essential for kids to be exposed to ideas like these at a young age. I have always related to the lovable outcast characters that make up this production, and I hope you do too Whether you identify with Horton’s loyalty, Gertrude’s determination, or Jojo’s ability to dream big, we hope you’ll be transported and immersed by this whimsical tale
Working on this production has been a celebration of creativity and teamwork. Our young cast has poured their energy and spirit into creating a world where anything is possible, and their enthusiasm for storytelling has been truly inspiring Whether you’re a longtime fan of Dr Seuss or you’re discovering these characters for the first time, thank you for supporting the arts and joining us on this fantastical journey to the Jungle of Nool and beyond!
Alyssa Durbin Director
OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK! The Cat, JoJo, Company
HORTON HEARS A WHO.......................................The Cat, JoJo, Horton, Bird Girls, Jungle Animals
BIGGEST BLAME FOOL.....................Sour Kangaroo, Young Kangaroo, Horton, Wickersham Brothers, Bird Girls, Gertrude, Mayzie & Company
BIGGEST BLAME FOOL/GERTRUDE MCFUZZ..............................Sour Kangaroo, The Cat, Mr. Mayor, Wickersham Brothers & Company
HERE ON WHO.............................................................................Horton, Mr. & Mrs. Mayor, JoJo, The Grinch, Whos
HOW TO RAISE A CHILD............................................................................Mr. & Mrs. Mayor
OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK (REPRISE).....................................JoJo, The Cat IT’S POSSIBLE (Pt. 1 and Pt. 2)............................................................JoJo, The Cat, Fish
ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE Horton, JoJo
THE ONE FEATHER TALE OF GERTRUDE MCFUZZ/ AMAYZING MAYZIE Gertrude, Mayzie, Bird Girls
AMAYZING GERTRUDE (Pt. 1 and Pt. 2)............................Gertrude, Cat, Bird Girls
MONKEY AROUND/CHASING THE WHOS.......................Wickersham Brothers, Horton, Bird Girls, Sour Kangaroo & Company
NOTICE ME, HORTON.................................................................................Gertrude, Horton
HOW LUCKY YOU ARE..................................................................................Mayzie, The Cat
MAYZIE’S EXIT/HORTON SITS ON THE EGG/DILEMMA/HUNTERS......Horton, Bird Girls, Gertrude
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EGG, NEST, AND TREE........................Sour Kangaroo, Young Kangaroo, Horton, Jungle Animals. Hunters, Bird Girls
SOLD/MAYZIE IN PALM BEACH....................Horton, Mayzie, The Cat Company
MAYZIE AT THE CIRCUS....................................................................................................Mayzie
AMAZING HORTON Horton, Mayzie
ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE (Reprise)..........................................................................Horton
SOLLA SOLLEW...............................................................Horton, JoJo, Mr. & Mrs. Mayor, Whos & Company
GERTRUDE/ESPIONAGE (Pt 1 and Pt. 2)...........................................................Gertrude
ALL FOR YOU.......................................................Gertrude, The Cat, Bird Girls, Horton
THE WHOS RETURN/THE PEOPLE VERSUS HORTON (Pt 1 & Pt 2) Company
YOPP!...............................................................................Sour Kangaroo, Young Kangaroo, The Cat, Mr, & Mrs, Mayor & Company
ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE (Reprise)................................................Horton, Gertrude
OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK (Finale)...................................................Company
GREEN EGGS AND HAM (Bows)...........................................................................Company
Jackson Money Jackson Money
GERTRUDE GERTRUDE
Madeline Smeds
BIRDGIRLS BIRDGIRLS
CAT CAT
Jamie Boudreau Jamie Boudreau
Jane Phillips Phillips
Evah Hoven, Cate Menkhus, Emily Mueller Hoven, Cate Menkhus,
Ascher Phillips Ascher Phillips
Mira Friedman
WICKERSHAMS WICKERSHAMS
Adella Brauer, Ruby Crouppen, Reese Warticovschi Reese Warticovschi
YOUNG KANGAROO
YOUNG KANGAROO
YERTLE THE TURTLE YERTLE THE TURTLE
VLAD VLADIKOFF VLAD VLADIKOFF
Anna Martin
Molly M.
Gabe Rothmel Rothmel
MR. MAYOR MR. MAYOR
MRS. MAYOR MRS. MAYOR GRINCH GRINCH
Maxwell Tjaden
Wynne Brakefield
Miles Friedman Tjaden Brakefield
Grace Bujnak
Grace Bujnak
Mary Elizabeth King
Amelia Martin
Sebastian L.
Vivian Swooda
Vivian
Laine Auffenberg, Sophia B., Jane Snyder Auffenberg,
CIRCUS ANIMALS CIRCUS ANIMALS
Laine Auffenberg, Sophia B., Molly McKernan, Kate Roberts, Jane Snyder B., McKernan, Roberts,
Riley Coco Crouppen,
Fallon B., Riley Brinkman, Coco Crouppen, Miles Friedman, Neil G., Claire Otto, Cora W.
Fallon B., Riley Brinkman, Grace Bujnak, Coco Crouppen, Neil G.,
Zoey Greiner, Reese Heimgartner, Mya I., Mary Elizabeth King, Cassidy Koenig, Hannah Lewis, Sebastian L., Amelia Martin, Fiona M., Claire Otto, Vivian Swoboda, Teagan W., Cora W. Grace Coco Crouppen, G., Reese Elizabeth Lewis, L., Martin, Fiona Claire Vivian Swoboda, W.
Auffenberg, Cassidy Koenig, Hannah Star Molly Fiona Kate
Laine Auffenberg, Sophia B., Zoey Greiner, Reese Heimgartner, Cassidy Koenig, Hannah Lewis, Star M., Molly M., Fiona M., Kate Roberts, Gabe Rothmel, Jane Snyder, Teagan W., Mya Ingram
Cora W. Maxwell Tjaden
Ages 6-10
Registration-based production In-class casting in the fall
Rehearses September-May
Mondays & Thursdays at 7pm
Performs May 2026
Ready for the stage, but not quite ready to audition for a massive production? This is the class for you! In this year-long class, students will put together a full-length musical. They will learn how to audition, be cast in the show, learn choreography, music, and blocking, and perform their work on stage in the spring with costumes, sound, set, props, and lights! This class is perfect for the beginning performer that's ready to experience a musical in a stress-free environment! This year we are excited to produce the classic favorite Annie KIDS! Tell the story of the spunky orphan with a heart full of hope on her journey toward finding a loving family, and all the colorful friends (and devious villains!) she touches along the way.
StephanieAbbajay
StacyAbeles
RhondaAdams
DavidAnderson
MariaAnderson
MariaArtamanova
DanaBacich
Shelley&JoshuaBaclesse
DorothyBanocy
MargoBalinski
KimberlyBaltimore
SherenBarakat
JenniferBarnhart
CarolynBaron
KoriBaron
DavidBates
MartiBates
Jason&JulieBattaglia
Jay&DianaBaumohl
LindaBecker
RickBeemer
JoshBell
Jennifer&Jim Bellm
AshleyBendoff
JenBengtson
LisaBerman
ChereeBerry
JeffBettlach
KarenBland
KrisBlanchard
Nate&AshleighBlevins
KimberlyBreyer
MelissaBohlmann
MaryJaneBookstaver
MeredithBookstaver
AmyBorah
DanijelaBoric
AmyBozarth
GlenBrady
JylBrady
KathieBrazel
RodneyBrazil
AngelaBrennan
RyanBricker
JeffreyBrinker
TanyaBrinker
NikBrym
MorganBucciferro
Cindy&DavidBunte
MegBush
HayleyButler
MickeyButton
JudyCadice
DonnaCaltagirone
Jonathan&JenniferCampbell
MaryCange
FarrellCarfield
KathieCarnie
DonCarter
HeidiCarter
JeffreyCarter
CourtneyCelani
AnthonyCerta
FarrellClancy
AnnClayton
RuthClayton
TimothyCleary
DanielleCoffyn
MaryCoffyn
DaleCollier
VirginiaCollins
RebeccaCombs
DaveCooperstein
KageCoven
AudreyCrabtree
KathyCrandall
ErickCreach
LaurenCropper
DeniseCrosson
JudithCrowder
Michelle&RobertCuddihee
KevinDaniel
KeithDavies
LynnDavis
KarenDeFoy
Giancarlo&TinaDell’Orco
Marc&AmyDelPietro
EdwardDeVault
StaceyDick
HarryDiwakaran
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JayneDolton
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