Tag Archives: Nick Moscato

EPIC’s Seussical the Musical

Fund-raiser, Musical, Off-Broadway May 11, 2025 Leave a comment

Seussical the Musical was not exactly a hit with the critics when it ran on Broadway about 25 years ago.  Nonetheless, the familiarity of the characters and its themes, including the consequences of cronyism and the importance of staying true to yourself, resonated with audiences.  It continues to be performed regionally with its “junior” version popular in schools throughout the country.  These messages also make it a fitting selection for EPIC’s diverse troupe.  The cast’s palpable joy in performing a work that embraces such a delightful and distinctive population makes for an easy-to-love experience for the whole family.

Horton the Elephant (Gianluca Cirafici) surrounded by the Wickersham Brothers

For those unfamiliar with the script, it is adapted from several children’s books written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss.  Music is by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.  Two of the plots feature a compassionate elephant portrayed by an endearing Gianluca Cirafici sporting soft floppy ears.  The third story line moves the focus to his love-struck neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, depicted with pizzazz and warmth by Natalie Kaiser, accompanying herself on kazoo.  To attract Horton’s attention, the self-conscious bird grows an impressive tail with the help of Dr Dake (Ethan Jones).  Other Seuss inventions that make appearances large and small are the famous trickster The Cat in the Hat (Shoshanna Gleich), a bluesy Sour Kangaroo (Emily DeMaio) and her Baby (Anjel Bell), a judicious Yertle the Turtle (Prince Hurst), and the Wickersham Brothers (Miles Butler, Ethan Homan, Nick Moscato, Sven W) who never get tired of literally monkeying around.

Gertrude McFuzz (Natalie Kaiser, center) growing a tail with the help of Dr Dake (Ethan Jones) and encouragement from The Cat in the Hat (Shoshanna Gleich).

The opening is primarily based on Horton Hears a Who. Finding an entire populated planet on a clover, Horton appoints himself protector aided by the Smallest Who of All, Jojo embodied in the tiny but mighty Christine Newberry.  It is she who calls forth a universe of Seussian creations with her unbridled imagination.  Standout Matt Tierney has a wonderful time soliciting both laughs and donations from the audience as her father the Mayor.  Sandy Gladstone Karpe is Mrs. Mayor rendered with overflowing glass of chardonnay in hand.

Jojo (Christine Newberry) with her disapproving parents, Mrs. Mayor (Sandy Gladstone Karpe) and Mr. Mayor (Matt Tierney)

As if the Whos of Whoville and their speck of dust world (Bre Baron, Sami Binder, Miles Butler, Tess Carvelli, Shafer Gootkind, Prince Hurst, Ethan Jones, Genesis Solivan) weren’t responsibility enough, Horton then falls for the manipulations of Mayzie Labird, taken on with sass a-plenty by Kayla Robinson, who tricks him into sitting on her egg.  As is appropriate, all the birds, including Kaiser and Robinson plus the powerhouse “Bad Girls” trio of Alice Frannsen, Rachel Paine, and Elisa Weiss, bring vocal purity to all of their songs. 

Mayzie Labird (Kayla Robinson, second from the left) with the Bad Girls: Alice Frannsen, Rachel Paine, and Elisa Weiss

Scenic designer Christian Flemming has done an admirable job capturing Seuss’s drawing style in three dimensions encircled by an “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” rainbow sidewalk.  Likewise Izzy Kitch’s whimsical costumes and elaborate headgear.  Props by Dana Weintraub include miniature everyday items for the Whos and of course a Red Fish and a Blue Fish.  Against this background, Artistic Director Aubrie Therrien and her Co-Director Meggan Dodd have added their usual high-energy interaction.  Choreographer Travis Burbee provides several effervescent dance numbers. 

The Cast of EPIC Players’ Seussical the Musical

Since 2016, EPIC Players (Empower, Perform, Include, Create) has been dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities and a supportive social environment for Neurodivergent and Disabled artists.  With its wonderful range of colorful characters, Seussical the Musical is a perfect match for their talents and mission.  As a Mother’s Day “gift,” on Sunday May 11th their performance will be relaxed with ASL interpretation.  There couldn’t be a better time to deliver the message that “a person’s a person’s no matter how small.”  So if you could use a reminder of How Lucky You Are, head to ART/NY The Mezzanine Theatre, 502 W 53rd St. now through May 18.  Tickets are $35-$65 and can be purchased online at https://epicplayers.ticketspice.com/epic-players-presents-seussical.  

Photos by Zui Gomez

EPIC Players’ Little Shop of Horrors

Musical, Off Off Broadway, Uncategorized June 6, 2019 Leave a comment

The American Theatre Critics Association (of which I am a member) promotes theater as a resource to communities throughout the country.  EPIC Players takes this goal a step further by opening the craft to an underserved company of performers.  An acronym for Empower, Perform, Include and Create, this talented troupe is neuro-diverse: composed of actors over the age of 16 who are on the spectrum of autism.  Casting calls are open, though priority is given to company members. Rehearsals are conducted over an extended period, which allows the cast and crew to co-create a particularly supportive environment.  The results are not only empowering for the artists, but expansive for the audience as well.

With its sprawling cast and blended genre of horror and comedy, Little Shop of Horrors is a masterful choice for EPIC’s current season.  The story follows Seymour Krelborn and Audrey, two fragile outsiders working in a skid row flower shop, and presents them with wit and affection.  The pair is brought together by a demanding plant named the Audrey II, who has troubling intentions.  The music is by Alan Menken with lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman, the team behind Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.  While the work can be viewed as a piece of social commentary, it is unquestionably a wildly good time.

LittleShop

EPIC Players’ Nicole D’Angelo and Ben Rosloff in Little Shop of Horrors

Equity member Ben Rosloff performs the underestimated Seymour with the gentleness this lead role requires. Slipping into Audrey’s leopard prints is Nicole D’Angelo, who replicates Ellen Green’s ultra-high-pitched speaking voice and sweet singing style.  Her sadistic boyfriend is played with glee and a touch of menace by Dante Jayce, who also makes the most hysterical entrance.  Michael Buckhout takes on flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik with appropriate slapstick asides.  In many productions, the Audrey II is represented by a series of ever-larger puppets.  Here, a booming Nick Moscato appears to be having a blast portraying the full grown plant, which heightens the character’s ability to engage.  The chorus of street urchins has been expanded to five expressive and funny singer/dancers (Imani Youngblood, Justin Phillips, Aria Renee Curameng, Melissa Jennifer Gonzalez and Kathryn Cristofano) who enliven every moment they are on stage.  Music is performed by a live four piece band under the direction of keyboardist Jonathan Ivie.  Whitney Blythe, Gianluca Cirafici, Brianna Freeman, Jessy Leppert, Samantha Elisofon, Nick Amodio, Gideon Piankor, and Eric Zimmer are the supporting players with Andrew Kader, Kim Carter, Meggan Dodd, and Amaker Smith making up the ensemble.

The performance I attended was a final dress rehearsal and there were a few timing and technical issues.  Even with those difficulties, the production sparkled with imagination.  Directed by EPIC’s Executive Artistic Director Aubrie Therrien with assistance from Max Baudisch and Zach Lichterman, the staging makes fabulous use of the Black Box space.  Aisles and overhead platforms are filled with residents of the downtown streets and Audrey II’s many admirers.  You might even be offered a bag of “cocaine” or gifted with an Audrey II plant clipping.  Clever costumes by Cat Fisher include Audrey II’s enticingly and colorful garb.  The effective set by Tim Catlett is topped with projection screens that enhance the play with classic horror clips and horticulture documentaries.

This production of Little Shop of Horrors radiates joy from its very roots, serving to shatter any preconceived notions held by uninitiated theater-goers.  Noise canceling headphones are available for sensitive audience members, and anyone needing a break is invited to decompress in the lobby.  Runtime is 94 minutes with one 10 minute intermission.  It plays  through Sunday, June 16 in the Black Box Theater at the Sheen Center on Bleecker Street.  Tickets are $27-$57 and can be purchased at https://ci.ovationtix.com/34409/production/1007814?performanceId=10390542.  EPIC — a 501c3 non-profit — holds auditions year round and provides professional development classes and workshops free of charge to all who are accepted.  You can also support their work by visiting https://www.epicplayersnyc.org/support.