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Health & Fitness

1214 Foundation Bringing 'Seussical' to Newtown

A peek behind the curtain of 'Seussical'

1214 Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission to build a landmark venue, performing arts center in Newtown, CT to honor the victims of 12.14.12, to provide a place for perpetual healing, bring light and joy to the community, and serve as a national stage for social change.

The foundation is currently at work producing the musical Seussical with 68 Newtown area students and many more as apprentices behind the scenes.  The student performers are working with industry professionals and are being treated as such. The adults involved have been chronicling the process on their Facebook page. Here are some of their recent posts:

June 28 "So, why a Musical in Newtown? We, as a community, have a responsibility to the children affected by the events of 12.14. We will to give them tools for creative expression, innovation, and confidence that will spill over into every other aspect of their lives. The performing arts lies in the core of every human being and is the essence of who we are........ It is a first grader; to sing, dance, pretend, and to laugh out loud at the simplest things in life. This is the first of many collaborations between the world's best and the incredible local community of Newtown aimed at having our children and those around the globe reach their potential."

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

June 23 "The second day of auditions for Seussical: The Musical in Newtown begins! Watching the Broadway professionals educate yesterday during the auditions improved their performances ten fold in a matter of minutes! After weeks of rehearsals, the final productions will be of the highest quality and the youth involved will grow by leaps and bounds. Watching the kids of Sandy Hook Elementary School sing their school song is an experience we won't soon forget."

July 7 "Making final preparations for the first rehearsal tomorrow for Seussical: The Musical! The NYC professionals are settling into Newtown where they will be staying for the next five weeks. July 7 We are all very excited to get underway."

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

July 9 "We are thrilled to announce that a wonderful professional, John Tartaglia, will be playing the Cat in the Hat alongside the kids participating in Seussical! His credits include Sesame Street, Avenue Q, Johnny and the Sprites, Shrek on Broadway, and more. Welcome to Newtown, John! We can't wait to see the show!"

July 11 "After only three days of rehearsals, the cast did a complete read through of the musical today. It's wonderful to see great instruction combined with incredible talent and commitment."

July 14 "Today is the first full day off for the casts of Seussical. They are being treated like professional actors with the same expectations of excellence. They are rising to the challenge and learning what they are really capable of. One week of rehearsals down and we all are very proud of them and they should be proud of themselves."

July 18 "John Tartaglia and six incredible performers of Seussical sang today on the Fox CT morning show. They truly represented all the hard work and talented actors participating in the production. Once again, a proud moment." Click here to watch the segment.

July 25 "Can't make the show? For $17, you can donate a seat to a needy family in Newtown. The 1214 Foundation is working with Newtown Social Services to make tickets available for those less fortunate. You can help our community come together and support all of those participating in Seussical! Click to donate tickets!"

For more information about the performances, click here.
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