“SEUSSICAL” AT THEATRE 29 IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

The Musical “Suessical” is seeing sold out audiences and standing ovations at Theatre 29 all this month. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the family-friendly musical is also a family affair…
The Broadway smash hit musical “Suessical” running at Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms through July 28 is a real family affair! The Schmelling family has their entire family involved. Dad Marv plays the Mayor of Whoville; wife Robin is running the specialized sound tracks; daughter Lauren is Gertrude McFuzz; and daughter Lizzie shines in a variety of quick-change roles. 13-year-old Kayleigh Coughlin plays Jojo and her 8-year-old sister Natalie charms as Cindy Lou Who. Robin Wilson is brassy as Mayzie LaBird while her daughter Kirby Davis-Wilson is sassy as one of the Bird Girls. Director Gary Daigneault sees wife Cindy playing the Grinch and his grandson, Quentin Roberts, 10, drives the Circus McGurkus train. Choregrapher Mandi Pushkar has husband Robert Pushkar as her assistant, daughter Jasmine on stage and daughter Audrey runs a spotlight. More family fun on stage with Shelly Sheckler joined on stage with her daughter, Emily. And while young Linnea Hilderbrand is in the spotlight, her mom, Celeste Hilderbrand is running the theater’s new hi-tech projection system. Costuming genius Katherine Ferguson has her husband, Charles Harvey in the show as Horton the Elephant. With an all-volunteer cast of 27 and stage crew of 10, “Suessical” is the essence of true community theater for the entire Morongo Basin. Seussical runs weekends through July 28. For tickets go to theatre29.org or call 760-361-4151.