|
 Musical based on the many creative works of Dr. Seuss
Braddock Middle School’s drama club will present the musical, Seussical Junior, on Friday, January 22, 2010, through Sunday, January 24, 2010. Friday’s performance will begin at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday’s performances will be held at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday’s performance will begin at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held in Braddock’s auditorium. General admission is $3.00, and guests are asked to enter through the rear of the school.
Seussical, Jr. is aptly based on the works of renowned children’s books author, Theodor Seuss Geisel, or more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. The musical tells a story that weaves together some of Seuss’ most famous tales and characters in unexpected ways. It incorporates elements from more than fifteen of Dr. Seuss’ books, with characters meeting other characters they’ve never before encountered. The story also highlights many of Dr. Seuss’ lessons from his books including helping a friend in need, not giving up, and keeping promises.
Imagination is an area in which the late author excelled, leaving a legacy of books that changed children’s literature. Seuss wrote and illustrated a number of his books; however, the books in which he did not do the illustrations for were written under the pseudonym Theo LeSieg (Geisel spelled backwards.) The creators of Seussical include Lynn Aherns, Stephen Flaherty, Eric Idle, and Brian Louiselle. The musical is presented through special arrangement with and materials supplied by Music Theatre International.
Jo-Jo (Michael Nelson), is a small boy from Whoville who has a mighty Think and brings on the Cat in the Hat (Ashleigh Eisentrout), the essence of mischief and imagination. Horton (Peyton Washington) hears the Whos’ cries for help, but his rescue of Whoville is made difficult by the Wickersham Brothers (Tim Winters, Dakota Bierman, and Ben Bensavage) and the Sour Kangaroo (Rachel Pettiford). Gertrude McFuzz (Brianna Olinger) believes in Horton’s goodness, but she is very self-conscience about her physical appearance. She gets advice from Mayzie La Bird (Tawney Jenkins) who manipulates Horton into hatching her egg. The Whos are led by Mr. and Mrs. Mayor (Josh Mallow and Victoria Mann), parents who are trying to raise a difficult child. Bird girls (Kelsie Shambaugh, Brittany Beck, Hannah Cantafio, and Murphy Taube) support each of the characters as they tell the story. The Grinch (Kamryn Logsdon), Yertle the Turtle (Demetri Cendo), and Vlad Vladikoff (Caden Rank) are involved in the story in unusual ways. Thing 1 (Savannah Humbertson) helps the imagination. Brianna Benko, Morgan Dickson, Timmy Growden, Nimra Naeem, Christian Reynard, Haley Growden, and Rebecca Bensavage complete the cast as Whos.
|
