Enter the Magical World of Dr. Seuss in Mainstage's Seussical, Jr.

Gloucester Township, NJ -- Seussical, Jr. the fantastical, magical musical extravaganza, leaps from the pages of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books onto the Dennis Flyer Theatre’s stage in Mainstage Center for the Arts’ upcoming production. Written by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical, Jr. runs July 20-22, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ. Bowman & CO sponsors this production.

Seussical, Jr. delights audiences of all ages with its colorful cast of characters including Horton the Elephant (Fyar Kabia of Gloucester Township), Cat in the Hat (Rachel Maselek of Washington Township), JoJo (Caroline Corriveau of Plainsboro), Gertrude McFuzz (Kaylee Carrato of Marlton), and Lazy Mayzie. The mischievous Cat in the Hat narrates, leading the audience on a roller-coaster ride of adventure, weaving story lines and characters together in exciting and unexpected ways. This madcap character disappears and reappears at various parts in the production.

“I love portraying the Cat in the Hat,” said Maselek. “With this character I get to act as several different characters using crazy accents. It’s a lot to explore and play with. It’s fun acting in it and it’s so much fun to watch, too!”

Thrown into the Cat’s adventures is JoJo a young girl whom the Cat convinces to imagine, with him, the Jungle of Nool, where the story begins with the tale of Horton Hears a Who. The lovable Horton the Elephant tries his best to save Whoville and the small Whos including JoJo, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mayor (Alexander Brown of Gloucester Township and Madison Maiorini of Marlton). The Sour Kangaroo (Corinne Palacia of Gloucester Township), her Baby Kangaroo (Sophia Palacia of Gloucester Township), the evil Wickershams, and others gang up against Horton.

“I’m having a great time playing JoJo. My personality is like hers, so it’s easy to get into character,” said Corriveau.

Kabia adds, “Many of my roles in the past were bad guys. It feels good for me to portray a hero like Horton.”

The story twists and turns from Horton Hears A Who to include snippets from Oh, the Things You Can Think!; to Horton Hatches an Egg with the selfish Mayzie, love-sick Gertrude; to If I Ran the Circus; and more.

Stephanie Filippo of Gloucester Township directs this delightful journey through the world of Dr. Seuss. “This is one of my all-time favorite shows. It’s always fun to be involved in it. I’m enjoying working with my directing staff to come up with new ideas to make it fresh,” she said.

The Cat in the Hat says, “Get your tickets today and don’t delay.” Ticket prices: $11 adults, $10 senior citizens/children 12 and under. Group prices are available. To purchase tickets, visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227-3091

Seussical runs July 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m., July 22, 10:30 am Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ. For tickets and information, please visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227-3091.

In addition to Seussical, Jr. being sponsored byBowman & Company, the Children’s Theatre program is sponsored by McDonald’s of Blackwood and Hurfville and Summer Stage is sponsored by Econsult Solutions; AP Construction, Inc; and Investors Bank.

The remaining Summer Stage season includes James and the Giant Peach, July 27-29, sponsored by First Bank and Precision Power Wash, and Disney Journeys, Musical Revue, August 3-5, sponsored by Beneficial and PostNet. This year’s full-length Broadway production is Titanic, the Musical, which runs July 23,24,29, and 30 and is sponsored by First Bank and Meadows Diner.