Husband and Wife Team Leads Seussical the Musical

Seussical the Musical has long been a fan favorite, with countless touring and school productions. Redlands, Calif.’s LifeHouse Theater is the latest venue for this fun, silly and uplifting musical. This is the first time LifeHouse has produced Seussical, but not the first time they have worked with co-directors Michael and Kelsey Milligan, a husband/wife team also responsible for last summer’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This production does mark a new high for the Milligans, however: not only did they co-direct and co-choreograph the show, they also star as the Cat in the Hat and Gertrude McFuzz. “It’s less relaxing than most shows,” Michael said, “but I would say that it’s more rewarding. You accomplish more. I’m having a blast with this show.” The Milligans have always been a dynamite artistic team, but they say that this experience has also brought them closer together personally. “It definitely made us stronger, because we had to work so closely together,” Michael said. “We never had any fights about it!” He laughed, and looked at Kelsey, then followed with: “Really, we have no fights!” Kelsey also appreciated the experience of working with her husband: “It was neat to see the different qualities that we’re able to bring to it. I appreciate his organization and leadership skills, because those are things I’m not as good in. I prefer the details, and the nitpicky stuff. Doing it with him, I’ve gotten to learn from him, which has been exciting. It’s been an amazing experience.” The show also has a personal significance to Michael, as LifeHouse was where he first found his love for performing, which is now his livelihood. “It’s a special thing,” he said, “because the first show I ever performed in was here, and for years every show I did was here. It’s very nostalgic. I really enjoy it.” Kelsey has also appreciated the opportunity to revisit Michael’s roots. “This is where he started! I would’ve fallen in love with him if he wasn’t performing, but I fell in love with him when he was performing, and this is where he started. Performing turned out to be such a huge part of him; it’s cool to see where it started.” There is one awkward source of tension inherent in working together on this show—Gertrude, Kelsey’s character, is desperately in love with Horton, who is not played by Michael. When asked about this, Kelsey laughed and said, “I have to say, at the very end, when I’m gazing into Josh’s eyes and Michael’s behind him sitting on the platform, I am kind of like...‘I love you honey!’” Michael also laughed, saying: “I can be very jealous over things like that, but I’ve known Josh for years and he’s just such a cool guy. We felt very secure. But our vocal director told me to give them the note that they needed to look more in love—and I never gave them the note. Well, I did. But it was begrudgingly.” All in all, though, it’s been a very positive experience for both of them. Choreographing together as husband and wife gave them more time to do so, as they were able to choreograph anywhere, any time. “We always film our choreography when we do it, so we can remember it,” Michael said, “And we film it where we did it, so it’s always a different place.” Kelsey continued, “In our living room, in your family’s house, in the car...” Prompting Michael to laugh once more and conclude: “Man, we’re a disaster.” The end result, however, is anything but—a side-splittingly funny, joyful romp through the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Seussical runs weekends through Aug. 31 at LifeHouse Theater. Tickets are available by calling 909-335-3037 or online at www.boxoffice.lifehousetheater.com.