Mehlville Students, Staff Enjoy Sense of Family That Theater Creates

Although its origins may be shrouded in mystery, it’s commonly agreed that the phrase “go break a leg” isn’t supposed to be taken literally.

So, when Mehlville High School senior Logan Schoen -- playing one of the lead roles in the Theater Arts Department’s production of “Seussical Jr.” --  dropped a heavy bleacher on his foot with only a week to go before the first performance, it seemed hard to say if it was unlucky or not.

Cast in the role of Horton the Elephant, Schoen said the injury caused pain but no permanent damage. In fact, the incident has done little to slow down Schoen or the show, which debuted Thursday evening and will continue to run this weekend with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The musical is based on the works of the acclaimed children’s author and centers around the story of “Horton Hears a Who” with other Seuss characters mixed in as well. One of Seuss’ most identifiable characters, the Cat in the Hat, serves as a narrator throughout the show and occasionally intervenes directly.

The experience is a new – and unexpected – one for Schoen, who has previously participated in show choir, but never in drama. When he found out about the role he had landed, it came as a bit of a surprise.

“One of my friends asked me to try out, but I didn’t think I’d be doing anything big,” he said.

Schoen said participating in the play has given him the opportunity to make new friends, which has made it all “just an enjoyable experience.” Other students involved in the production also said the best part of theater is the way it brings students together – no matter what part they may play.

“I absolutely love that family aspect,” sophomore and stage manager Kristina Kohl said, explaining that putting on a play involves many different people all pulling together. “If you just had one component, it wouldn’t work.”

Kohl is in charge of the behind-the-scenes operations, ensuring that the actors have everything they need to successfully stage the play. In addition, Kohl said she has helped schedule rehearsals and worked to motivate her fellow thespians.

“I created a reward system for all the actors,” she said, pointing to a nearby poster with the names of different students and varying numbers of stickers next to their names. For each sticker, Kohl explained, she’ll give the actors a piece of candy. Judging by the volume next to some names, it could be quite the haul.

For Kohl, like other students involved in the play, the real pay-off has nothing to do with stickers or candy, though it’s just as sweet. Robert Kapeller leads the school's chapter of the International Thespian Society and explained that theater gives teenagers a place to belong.

“I like that I always feel needed here,” said Kapeller, who plays the Cat in the Hat in “Seussical Jr.”

The show features plenty of dancing and music intertwined with the whimsical spirit of Dr. Seuss, which Assistant Director Jessica Schneider said is perfect for the energetic cast and crew members.

“I think they fit this play,” she said. “They are fun and bubbly kids. They have certainly gotten into it.”

Schneider is an English teacher at the high school who particpated in drama and dance when she was in high school and college. She has only been involved with Mehlville's theater department for a year and a half, but said the experience has already been rewarding.

“It’s been fun, it really has. It is a different way to see the kids,” she said. “It’s been nice to get to know them (outside of the classroom).”

Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door and $7 for reserved seating. Call 314-467-6132 for more information or to purchase tickets.

The play is also aiming to put books by Seuss and other authors into the hands of low-income children in St. Louis through a partnership with Ready Readers St. Louis, a non-profit organization. Volunteers with the group read with children on a weekly basis and also collect and distribute donated books to kids throughout the year.

Those attending the play are encouraged to bring a new or used book to the performance. Ready Readers asks that donated items be geared toward children under 5 years old.