‘Seussical the Musical’ a hit at Minnewaska Area Schools

The recent production of Seussical the Musical at Minnewaska Area Schools not only marked the triumphant return of the school’s theater program after a five-year hiatus but also earned recognition from Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Education program. The honors received celebrated the hard work and dedication of students, staff, and the entire production team, making this a performance to remember.

Willow Zavadil, who played JoJo, earned the prestigious honor of Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for her expressive acting, clear character choices, and strong vocal delivery that energized the entire production. Chase Wacker and Daniel Cochran received Honorable Mentions for their leading roles as the Cat in the Hat and Horton, respectively, with evaluators praising their natural expressiveness, strong vocal skills, and engaging physical performances. Clark Wendt stood out in a technical leadership role as the board operator, earning recognition for his initiative and deep understanding of the production’s vision, which helped bring the director’s ideas to life.

The production also received Honorable Mentions for Overall Technical Production, Ensemble Acting, Ensemble Dance, and Ensemble Overall Performance. Evaluators were particularly impressed with the professionalism and competence of the technical crew and the cast’s energy, commitment, and precision in bringing this whimsical world to life. Additionally, the ensemble’s strong vocal performance earned an Evaluator Shout-Out, with special note of how well-rehearsed and polished the singing was—especially notable for a program in its first year back.

Superintendent Chip Rankin shared his pride in the program’s accomplishments: “The Spotlight Education honors highlight the incredible talent and dedication of our students and staff. The entire community should be proud of what this program has achieved.”

The production not only celebrated the joy and whimsy of Dr. Seuss’s world but also demonstrated the power of the arts to bring a community together. Packed audiences cheered on the performances, showing their appreciation for the students’ hard work and creativity.

Seussical Director Jeff Iverson shared, “It is great to be back at Minnewaska. I have good memories of participating in music and theater here. There is a strong fine arts tradition at Minnewaska, and we couldn’t have such a great program without parental and community support. I was very appreciative of the great turnout we had for all three performances of Seussical.”

Minnewaska Area Schools is thrilled by the success of Seussical the Musical and looks forward to more outstanding performances as the theater program continues to grow. As the holiday season approaches, don’t miss the upcoming vocal and band concerts happening in the next few weeks. For detailed information on dates and times, visit the school’s website at www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us.