Third Mask Theatre Group presents the popular children's show, "Seussical the Musical," 7 p.m. Aug. 14, 15, 16; 2 p.m. Aug. 17, Northeast Middle School, 1170 Fernwood St., Bethlehem.

Nicholas Conti, a Bethlehem Township native, Freedom High School graduate and 2008 Freddy Award nominee, formed Third Mask Theatre with friend Jonathan Hoffman in 2011.

"We wanted to give young people the opportunity to participate in theater," says Conti, who is directing "'Seussical." Hoffman is dramaturge for the show.

The first Third Mask production was "Waiting for Godot." "Seussical" marks the sixth show for Third Mask. "It's really been an outstanding journey," says Conti.

"Seussical" had a short run on Broadway in 2000, but after a few rewrites, has gone on to become one of the most popular community theater productions in the United States. The play's storyline is an amalgamation of Dr. Seuss's most popular books, featuring the characters of the Cat in the Hat from "The Cat in the Hat," and Horton from "Horton Hears a Who."

Students from five Freddy-participating high schools (Freedom, Liberty, Nazareth, Moravian Academy, Allentown Central Catholic), as well as students from Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, The Swain School and Weisenberg Elementary School, are in "Seussical." More than 95 percent of the cast and crew of "Seussical" participated in the Freddy Awards while in high school.

Matt Gurniak (The Cat in the Hat) received the 2012 lead actor Freddy for his performance in the same role at Allentown Central Catholic. Among "Seussical" production members who were Freddy participants: Drew Donaher, nominated for lead actor in 2013 and 2014; Adam Conti, nominated for supporting actor in 2013, and Nick Conti, nominated for lead actor in 2008.

Many of the cast and crew have participated in high school productions that were nominated or received Freddys for production and production by a smaller school.

"The real challenge in a show like this is just finding the right people to work with you," says Nicholas Conti.

"We have a cast of 27 kids. It's a lot of work to manage everything, but it is very rewarding. We all work together towards the final project. It really is all about the kids. It's an honor working with all of them," he says.