Seussical, the Broadway musical that received three Drama Desk Award nominations, will have pop star Aaron Carter longer than expected, to May 13.
Carter, the blond heartthrob of the barely-teen set, jumped into Seussical March 30 and lured a new audience into the Lynn Ahrens Stephen Flaherty musical at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. He was expected to stay only through May 6.
Cathy Rigby will continue to play the Cat in the Hat in the Dr. Seuss inspired show through May 20. Former champion gymnast Rigby joined Seussical March 15.
There is no official word about future casting for the role of the Cat, the show's frisky narrator, although earlier this year, former Cat Rosie O'Donnell expressed interest in returning to the role.
* Carter, the 13-year-old international star known for such songs as "Crush On You" and "Crazy Little Party Girl," plays the lost kid, Jo Jo, who feels "Alone in the Universe" in the family friendly musical by the songwriting team of Ragtime. The casting pump fresh life into the once-sagging box office of the show.
Seussical earned three Drama Desk nominations, for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Kevin Chamberlin), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Janine LaManna) and Outstanding Music (Stephen Flaherty). Carter began his singing career at age 7 when he sang with Dead End. He has since been dubbed The Little Prince of Pop. His albums include "Aaron Carter" and "Aaron Carter: Come and Get It." He first got a break when performing during a Backstreet Boys concert; he later toured with Britney Spears.
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SFX Theatrical Group, Barry and Fran Weissler and Universal Studios are producers of Seussical, a show that has been in need, critics and producers agree, of star names to sell tickets and help anchor the expansive narrative. It opened in November 2000. Frank Galati is credited as director, though his work and the work of choreographer Kathleen Marshall was augmented by director-choreographer Rob Marshall.
Aaron Carter's official website is at www.aaroncarter.com.
For tickets to Seussical, call (212) 307-4100.
