Seussical Jr. to Hit the Stage This Weekend

Imagine a one feathered bird being noticed by Dr. Seuss's Horton. What are the odds? Enter Stage Left will show you.

Enter Stage Left (ESL) Theater presents Seussical Jr. where dozens of Dr. Seuss characters come to life as their stories merge into one through a colorful and musical performance.

This weekend 40 kids are set to take the stage to show off their newly acquired theater skills.

Since 2003, ESL has run summer camps where kids of all ages learn theater techniques. From auditions to final full-scale production, the kids learn it all in only three weeks.

“This is a theater kids dream,” says Mary Scarlata-Rowe, director and founding member of ESL.  “Three weeks of all one-hundred percent show.  I would have loved to have had this when I was young.”

Through improvs and games, the kids learn to work together and bond in the first week.  Once they audition and get their parts, character development begins.

Seussical Jr. is the story of Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who! combined into one and dotted with characters from other Dr. Seuss stories.

Cassandra Clark, a student entering ninth grade, plays the role of Gertrude McFuzz, a bird with one feather who is in love with Horton and eventually learns to accept that he will never notice her.

“It is a very fun show and very family-oriented,” says Clark.  “It should be as much fun to put on as it will be to watch.”

Since the camp accommodates all ages, Clark’s three siblings are all in the show making it the first time all four are performing together live on stage.  There are several families with all their children in the show.

Tristan Clark plays one of the Wickersham Brothers, a mischievous monkey.  Fletcher Clark plays several roles including Fish. 

Gwendolyn Clark, the youngest in the family, is in the chorus and loves her colorful costumes with lots of pink and polka dots, but what does she like the most?

“My favorite is that I like the whole show,” said Gwendolyn Clark.

In the second week all the parts of the show come together as Emily Grill and Christina Alfonso choreograph while Mark DiCampo and Sinai Tabak direct the music.  Tabak is also the pianist.

The final week is spent polishing the show and getting ready for the big day.  Michael Geary, set designer, and Sandy Buckley, costumer, also add finishing touches.

“The set is amazing,” says Erik Fliegauf who plays Cat in the Hat,  “It looks like it came out of Dr. Seuss.”

Performances are Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30 at 2pm and 7pm at the .  Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at the door.

Backstage passes are available for the Saturday 2pm show for $5.  Come meet all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters before the show.

For more information, please visit www.enterstagelefttheater.org.