Musical, Spring 2008
Directors: Danny Ellis, Veronica Skaar
SEUSSICAL is based on the works of Dr. Seuss and the book for the show was written by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Flaherty also wrote the music for the show with Ahrens contributing the lyrics. The idea for SEUSSICAL was co-conceived by Eric Idle.
A fantastical journey through a young child’s imagination leads the Cat in the Hat and the child to the Jungle of Nool and Horton the elephant who is very concerned about the world of the Whos. A world that is wholly lived on a speck of dust that Horton carefully preserves on a stem of clover. In a mischievous act, the Cat interjects the child into the world of Who as JoJo the son of Mr. & Mrs. Mayor of Whoville.
While Horton is busy with JoJo and the Whos we meet Gertrude McFuzz, a bird with a one-feather tail who is in love with Horton. Gertrude has written hundreds of love songs to Horton and despairs of ever being noticed by him. She is convinced the problem lies with her one feather tail. Just when Gertrude is about to give up, the Amazing Mayzie, a far more flamboyant bird, leads her to a doctor who prescribes a pill to help get Gertrude’s tail feathers growing. Of course a full feathered tail for Gertrude leads to unanticipated problems that must be overcome.
Meanwhile, some naughty monkeys (The Wickershams) and some of their cohorts snatch Horton’s clover and the Whos and fling it into a whole field of clover. How will Horton ever find Whoville and his friends again? Horton’s problems are just beginning though as he is enlisted to babysit Mayzie’s egg while she takes a break. While Mayzie is gone, a group of hunters capture Horton and sell him to the Circus McGurkus. In a series of special and dramatic adventures, through Horton, JoJo, Mayzie and Gertrude we are introduced to creatures from several Seuss stories. Ultimately, everyone learns important lessons about faith and hard work. Horton and his friends teach us to persevere even (perhaps especially) when times are tough.
Performance dates for SEUSSICAL are Wednesday June 3 through Saturday, June 6 at 7:00 pm and a Sunday Matinee, June 7 at 1:30 pm at the Story Theatre/Grand Opera House.