Attention all Whos!

Friday, July 23

"Attention all Whos! Attention all Whos! Check out the new blog post! We've got some great news!"

On a cloudy Friday morning, the cast of Seussical sauntered into the Broadway hallway after a night of torrential downpours. But nothing (thunderstorms, flooding, or tornados) is going to rain on our parade! The usual chatter filled the hallways, and the Company gathered in a circle while they finished breakfast. Our directors and seniors discussed some rules, and then all the Big Brothers and Sisters introduced their siblings. I'm sure I speak for all the veterans when I say that we're impressed and excited for the talents and personalities of the rookies.

The Company, clad in their Seussical shirts, stuck a pose atop the Hartland Fire Department's fire truck. Still dry and unfazed by the looming clouds, the cast returned inside to get pumped up with Brian Kachelmeyer and John Christianson, our Workout Captains. After putting us through Seuss* with some cardio, stretching, sit-ups, and planks, Allie Babich and Anna Maurer led us in an exercise called the Sun Salutations.

(*Note: due to the younger cast members, we have agreed to replace obscenities with the word "Seuss")

While Mitch Lackey, our superb photographer, set up and took headshots of the cast, our Dance Captains Danny Mahlum and Allie Filmanowicz conducted a mock dance rehearsal. Afterward, the Assistant Dance Captains Emylee Wulf and Garrett Kim joined them to talk about how to behave with our genius director, Scott Michaels. Then, Matt Hohl and Lexie Maddux, our Life Captains, led us in ORGANIZED FUN (a name game, Ninja, and Mafia), followed by a chat about appropriate behavior.

Before lunch, the cast had their very first vocal rehearsal! We got started on "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" and "Biggest Blame Fool." Lunch was scrumptious, served by Mrs. Kachelmeyer, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Fox, and Mrs. Roehl. Meanwhile, Mrs. Maurer, Mrs. Babich, and Mrs. Sullivan helped the girls get fitted for their Company dresses. A big thank you for the Sloppy Joes and fitted dresses! Once again, the hallway boomed with the sounds of Big Booty (organized fun), arm wrestling competitions, and Lady Gaga.

The cast gathered together again for Story Time with Allie Babich after lunch. After listening to her vivid interpretation of Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!, Mrs. B warned the Company of what would happen if scores were left around. She announced that Brian Kachelmeyer had to clean the bookshelf and that Austin Lewis, Brian Anderson, and Mike Fox all were slated for filing music and tape duty later on. Then, the genders divided and made some headway individually.

The Company had a Fla-Vor-Ice break, followed by Rachel Cole's rendition of that early readers' classic, Go Dog, Go! Her interpretation was inspirational. Her emotion was intense. Her effervescence was overflowing. Her execution was (almost) flawless. We had one last vocal rehearsal, touching on everything covered during the day. Then, the Company gathered for one final circle, talking about the Code and such before they left for the day, bubbling with excitement for the cast party at Lauren Skelton's house.

Today's Shout-outs:

Lexie Maddux (and the veterans) misses Lise in Texas.

Kate Ziebart would like to thank all of her friends and fans.

Kayla Lohnes has nothing interesting to say.