It means adventure whenever the Cat in the Hat makes an appearance, and he, along with Athenian Berean Players, have a magical time in the production of Seussical.
Seussical incorporates several mainstream Dr. Seuss characters such as Horton the Elephant, the Whos, the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle into a story about a 6-year-old boy trying to find his place in the universe.
The rhyme-filled musical is led by 9-year-old Courtney Hull, who attends Morton Elementary and plays JoJo. She has been well versed in Dr. Seuss literature since childhood, thanks to her mother, Lynn Hull, who plays the Grinch.
This is especially neat for Courtney to get this role because we have been reading our children the books before they were born
Lynn said.
Apart from having knowledge of the Seuss stories, Courtney knows every single line in the musical. Her mother compares her to a sponge, and director Sylvia Abbott said sometimes forgets the actress is only nine years old.
I would tell her to be naive and she wouldn't know what that meant Abbott said.
JoJo is a Who, a member of a tiny town on a speck of dust. Horton the Elephant hears the members of Whoville yelling for help on the floating dust speck and vows to keep them safe. No one believes Horton, and he must convince the other Seuss characters the Whos really exist.
Female actresses, including those playing JoJo, the Grinch and the Wickershams, fill several of the male roles. Musicals are usually heavy on male roles, but community theater is predominately female, Abbott said.
There is a large ensemble of children in the musical, too. They must be on their toes all the time because the storyline moves quickly aided by the music, Abbot said.
It's a good experience for kids because it provides a comfort speaking in front of people
willingness to be silly and not take yourself too seriously
Lynn said.
No one will believe Horton and take him seriously. I heard no small voices and you didn't either
said the sour kangaroo.
There are no small voices in the cast of Seussical, which opens 7:30 tonight at Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. Performances continue at 7:30 tomorrow, May 14 and May 15 and at 2 p.m. on May 16.
3
Culture
Lauren Mikolay
31639a.jpg
