“Seussical” is a Whimsical Spring Musical

Put the Cat in the Hat on stage with Horton and the invisible Whos, as well as other fanciful characters from the imagination of Dr. Seuss, throw in some Monty Python humor and music from Tony award-winning composers, and you’ve got the family-friendly show at the this weekend and next.

The talented fourth through eighth grade students frombring “Seussical, the Musical Jr.” to life, under the direction of Michele Proschold. “It’s the perfect show to introduce young children to the theater,” said Proschold. “Not only will children love seeing their favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life on stage, but parents will love the message of acceptance that the show teaches,”

Co-conceived by Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame) and featuring music and lyrics by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty ("Ragtime," "Once On This Island"), “Seussical the Musical” brings to life a number of favorite Dr. Seuss characters.

Narrated by the Cat in the Hat (played by Leonette Miksis), the story centers around Horton the Elephant (Malloy Schaffner), who finds himself faced with a double challenge.

Not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo  (Hannah Line) and all the invisible Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird (Sonia Baribeau).

Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz (Grace Proschold) never loses faith in him, and is the only one who recognizes "his kind and his powerful heart."

“The show is almost all singing and dancing with very few dialogue exchanges,” said director Proschold. “I am fortunate to work with such a talented group of students who are able at such a young age to carry this type of show.”

Proschold, an award-winning director from Phoenix who has been directing children’s theater for 17 years, returns for her sixth year as director. She is also the artistic director of , a local fee-free children’s theatre for children ages 8 – 17 that serves the North County cities.

Other local adults returning to help produce this year’s annual spring musical include pianist and musical director Julia Gennert, is a popular local piano instructor and accompanist.  Also coming back is Mysty Stewart for her eighth show as choreographer. Mysty began dancing at age three and has studied virtually all types of dance from tap to jazz to ballroom to Broadway. She too began working with H-Town Youth Theatre as choreographer.

Evening performances are scheduled for Saturday, March 24, Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31 at 7 pm. Matinees are Sundays, March 25 and April 1 at 2 pm at the Raven Theater.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children under 10 years old. Saint John's Catholic School can be reached for advance ticket purchase at 707-433-2758 or online at www.stjohns-healdsburg.org.