By Doug Iden
Dr. Seuss’s fantastic tales come alive in the Seussical at the Carnegie in another great collaboration with CCM–University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. The show is playing now through February 16.
Plot and Characters of Seussical
The musical Seussical interweaves various Dr. Seuss stories into the primary thread of “Horton Hears a Who.” An unnamed boy ventures onto the stage and notices a unique red and white striped hat. When he puts it on, the Cat in the Hat (Joey Baciocco) appears. He convinces the boy to use his imagination to “thinks great thinks.” The boy imagines himself as Jojo (Carter Minor) the misunderstood son of the mayor (Nick Gundrum) and Mrs. Mayor (Ry Dever) of Whoville, a microscopic planet filled with citizens. Jojo then envisions the Jungle of Nool. There, Horton the Elephant (Matthew Danforth) thinks he hears voices from a speck of dust which he places on a clover. The “speck” is Whoville but only Horton can hear them. Sour Kangaroo (Essence Bell) derides him. The Wickersham Brothers (three monkeys played by Josh Devine, Dominic Carroll and Gundrum) steal the flower and hide it in a field of clover.
A neighboring bird, Gertrude McFuzz (Monique Churchill), is in love with Horton. She fears her tiny tail will not attract him. The tale of Gertrude’s tail becomes a running gag. While trying to find the Whos in a clover patch, Mayzie LaBird (Sydney Short) offers to help him if he will guard her egg while she goes for a short trip. Horton nurtures the egg for months while Mayzie “vacations.” Throughout the basic storyline, other Dr. Seuss characters including the Grinch, the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle, Sam I Am, and General Schmitz are incorporated.
Themes
Mostly, this is a “feel good” production. Primary themes include perseverance, loyalty, imagination, compassion, and friendship. However, like Seuss’s stories, there is a very mild exposure to issues such as parenting, ecology, isolation, commercialism, and militarism.
Musical Numbers
CCM grad Stephen Flaherty wrote the music, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, including many large production numbers. There is some dialogue but it is mostly singing and dancing. There are a few solos and duets including “How to Raise a Child” (the mayor and his wife), “How Lucky You Are” (the Cat), “The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz” and the poignant “Alone in the Universe” by Horton and Jojo. The remaining songs include most if not all the cast. Many cast members play multiple parts. Highlights include “Horton Hears a Who,” “Amazing Mayzie” competing with “Amazing Gertrude,” “The Circus McGurkus,” “The Who Christmas Pageant,” and “The People Vs. Horton.” The best song is the haunting magical place called “Solla Sellew.”
The singing is excellent but the dancing is superb–and steals the show. Choreographer Jessica Harris combines a variety of dancing styles which the cast executes divinely. Devine, Carroll and Gundrum (the Wickersham Brothers) are outstanding with very athletic (gymnastic) artistry and a small parody of film noir. The Bad Girls (Ry Dever, Arden Allmon, and Indya Lincicome) compliment the production numbers while Baciocco (the Cat) channels his best rubber-legged Buddy Ebsen routine. Kudos to Baciocco, Minor, Danforth, Churchill and Short.
Design and Technical Artists
Costuming for a show filled with animals and fantasy creatures is difficult but Charlotte Campbell assisted by Candace Leyland with wig and hair design more than rise to the occasion. Eschewing the “puppet” creations of The Lion King, the designers use costuming alone to create the illusions of birds with flouncy hips and tails, monkeys who resemble convicts from 1930’s movies, an elegant gown for Sour Kangaroo and a suit for the Cat. The costumes are representative, varied and extremely colorful. And do not forget the Hat.
Lighting by Julie Cowger adds to both the dramatic and comedic aspects. Tyler Gabbard’s set design is simple with heavy use of props but also includes shadow dancing with back images appearing on a curtain. Julie Spangler’s music direction is effective but, at times, a bit too loud.
Overall
Seussical is a delightful show filled with great exuberance by an outstanding cast of singers and dancers. CCM knows how to put on a show. It is the type of show where you sit back and allow the magic of theater to envelop you as you are engulfed in Seuss’ fantasy world.
Tickets to Seussical: the Musical
So, grab your red and white striped top hat, plus a copy of “Horton Hears a Who” and return to the yester world of your childhood at Seussical, playing at the Carnegie Theater through February 16.
For ticket information, call the box office at 859-957-1940 or go online at https://thecarnegie.com/theatre/box-office/
