Jenny Rhoads
Opening Friday night, Circleville High School will present “Seussical,” a musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss. Led by director Cynthia Braswell, the show is an energetic and family-friendly experience for all ages.
Staying true to its namesake, the musical references Horton Hears a Who, The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and many other Seuss favorites. The show also encourages independent thinking and standing up for what is right, via the wisdom of The Cat in the Hat (Jessica Lear).
Though calamity days from this winter have been a roadblock for many area schools, Braswell says her cast has stayed focused.
“Fortunately, we have been in rehearsals since November, and we all feel very well rehearsed,” she said.
Every member of the cast appears to be having a lot of fun with this bright, rhyme-riddled musical.
Some of Braswell’s favorite moments in the show include Thing 1 and Thing 2 being used as puppets by The Cat in the Hat, a comedic scene featuring actors Leeanne Stevens and Amanda Stevens, twin sisters in real life. “It is very funny to see how they interact with one another.”
The musical features several heart-warming moments and songs, one of them being “All For You,” in which Gertrude McFuzz (Marie Vargo) confesses her love for Horton (Andrew Pohl) and explains all of the sacrifices she made for him. Braswell admits it is one of her favorite songs of the show, and it is definitely an adorable moment.
Braswell also said she believes the best advice Dr. Seuss ever gave was in preparing us for the realities of life in his book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go. “…Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don’t. Because sometimes, you won’t.” Braswell explains it is important to persevere through hard times because, as Seuss said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”
“Seussical” will run at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a matinee performance at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Circleville High School auditorium. Tickets are $8 at the door. The show runs about two hours with an intermission.
The full cast includes:
Kitty Stevens … Jojo
Jessica Lear … Cat in the Hat
Andrew Pohl … Horton the Elephant
Marie Vargo … Gertrude McFuzz
Courtney Pearce … Bird Girl
Madison Storts … Bird Girl
McKenzie Henry … Bird Girl
Ashley Brosher … Sour Kangaroo
Hannah Mogan … Young Kangaroo
Liz LeMaster … Mayzie
Sean Wroten … Mr. Mayor
Morgan Jacobs … Mrs. Mayor
Logan Burns … Yertle the Turtle / Wickersham
Keith Carroll … Vlad Vladikoff / Wickersham / Horton Understudy
Charlie Gillian … Wickersham
James Coleman … General Schmitz
Leeanne Stevens … Thing 1
Amanda Stevens … Thing 2
Tony Harris … Grinch
Daryan Carroll … Jungle Citizen / Who
Emily Dengler … Jungle Citizen / Who / Hunch
Carley Derexson … Jungle Citizen / Who / Hunch
Angie Heil … Jungle Citizen / Who
Adriana Harlan … Jungle Citizen / Who
Taylor Huffer … Jungle Citizen / Who
Katie Warner … Jungle Citizen / Who
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
