The Cat in the Hat (Kelsie Hicks) and Jojo (Olivia Aubele).
Photo provided by Cockpit in Court.
Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre’s Royal Court Jesters production of Seussical Jr. is great fun to watch, and it looks as if the young cast has even more fun performing it. Seussical Jr. takes an audience through a whimsical and delightful musical spectacular, bringing favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, brightly colored but lazy Mayzie and a little who boy, Jojo (an exceptional Olivia Aubele), who wonders about “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!”
Seussical Jr. is shortened version of Seussical the Musical, which was co-conceived by Eric Idle with Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, music by Stephen Flaherty, and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Seussical the Musical opened on Broadway but only ran for a disappointing 198 performances. With the smaller cast and shorter running time, Seussical Jr. has in some respects surpassed the original, becoming a favorite of schools and communities around the world to perform.
…this production of ’Seussical Jr.’ doesn’t disappoint.
Liz Boyer Hunnicutt directs the talented young cast as they tell the story of Horton the Elephant, who finds a tiny piece of dust that contains an entire world of Whos. The Cat in the Hat (a cheery Kelsie Hicks) guides the story along, as Horton (a talented Zach Miller) must save the Whos’ speck from the Jungle of Nool characters who want to destroy it. Horton must also guard an abandoned egg left by Mayzie LaBird (Caroline Halligan, brimming with stage presence), fight off the Wickersham Brothers (Joey Bird, Brendon Morrison, Allison Naglieri, Josh Schoff), the Sour Kangaroo (Erin Sullivan, with a solid singing voice) and her Young Kangaroo (an adorable Maggie Moloney) too.
Throughout Horton’s hardships, including ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, he has the love and friendship of Gertrude McFuzz (very well played by Nicole Smith). In the end, Gertrude’s unwavering encouragement and Horton’s convictions to stay loyal and true save Horton and the tiny Whos.
Gertrude McFuzz (Nicole Smith) and Horton (Zach Miller).
Photo provided by Cockpit in Court.
I have always been pleased with the quality of performance in Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre Royal Court Jesters Young People’s Theatre, and this production of Seussical Jr. doesn’t disappoint.
Running Time: Approximately, 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Seussical Jr. is playing through July 21, 2013 at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre Royal Court Jesters Young People’s Theatre, Administration Building (formerly the J Bldg.) Lecture Hall at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Rosedale. All seats are $8 and tickets are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787).