“Seussical” the Musical

Highly Recommended***** Hats off to Marriott Theatre for its “theater for young audience” program. The sparkling one hour shows they bring to families is both educational and very rewarding. Exposing live theater to children at a young age has been a great thing for our family. My kids grew up on theater and now my grandkids are doing that as well. The problem for me is that as they get older, they are becoming too old for the one hour shows geared for the younger crowd. This being said, I have ways of finding other guests to invite. Family friends with kids of the perfect age. I always like to share my thoughts with you and add to them with the thoughts of the younger kids. If you are planning to bring your child or grandchild to a show, having thoughts from a child means more to making that decision.

At the end of my review, I will add some notes from today’s guests,  Lily ( 10 years old, and quite the performer herself) and her friend Abby ( 11) both of Lake Forest.

The opening today was for “Seussical”. Based on the collection of Dr. Seuss books, including “The Cat in a Hat” and “Horton Hears a Who”, this one hour musical was created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty ( the Tony Award winning team of “Ragtime” and “Once On This Island” fame. In total, the characters from 14 of the Dr. Seuss books were used. Since they were already in a rhyme form, they already had their own melodic touch and after seeing 7 or 8 of these productions, I found myself humming or singing along. I loved every minute of the 60 minutes that this production runs.

Under the direction of William Carlos Angulo, who also handled the sharp choreography and with musical direction by Patti Garwood, this production has been somewhat modified to meet what today’s audiences want to see.

A Pop musical for all ages ( I think that mid-teens might not want to attend, but if they do, they will certainly enjoy), this show is a celebration of friendship, bravery, companionship and the power of using one’s imagination. Even the pre-play talk about no pictures and turning off cell phones was done in a Seuss type of pattern. We were prepared for the opening number and for the next 60 minutes, as I observed the show and the children seated in my area, we all had “the times of our lives”. The show begins with  Patrick Scott McDermott ( what a talented young man) coming on stage and picking up a copy of “The Cat In The Hat”, he opens the book, there is a cloud of mist and suddenly, The Cat In The Hat ( played to perfection by Chicago favorite Jonathan Butler-Duplessis) starts our journey.

What a journey we take, meeting Horton the Elephant ( a sharp interpretation by Evan Tyrone Martin) and his finding a puff of clover that is yelling to him for help. It is the land of Who, where he finally connects with Jo-Jo ( played by  McDermott) who is a thinker, but who needs help to save their world. Along the way, we learn that “A person’s a person, no matter how small”. We also meet the bird, Mayzie ( Michelle Lauto) who lays an egg, but asks Horton to sit on t and care for it so she can go play. He does so, and wait until you see the hatchling! We also get to watch the relationship between Horton and Gertrude ( an incredible performance by Kelly Felthouse) grow to a happy ending.

The other characters are played by  a powerful ensemble :Brandon Springman, Samantha Pauly, Ron King, Mallory Maedke, Alejandro Fonseca and the incredible Nicole Kyoung Mi Lambert as “Sour Kangaroo” ( what a voice and range!).

This is a high speed romp thru a lot of material, never allowing the kids in the audience any sign of boredom. The costumes (Nancy Missimi) , lighting (Greg Hoffmann) and sound (Robert E. Gilmartin) are perfect, as always at Marriott. When the play is over the actors stay on stage and talk to the kids in the audience, selecting some questions which they answer. I told you it was both entertaining and educational.

NOTE: Here is what the girls had to say:

Lily: “I loved “Suessical”. The music was fantastic and the actors interacted with the audience”  ( I think that is in relation to after the show itself)

Abby: “It was really cute. The singers were terrific and the cast was amazing. The actors were all perfect for their roles! The actors interacted with the kids, but the storyline might be a little hard to follow for kids under 6 “.

“Seussical” will continue at Marriott Theatre located in Lincolnshire at 10 Marriott Drive thru March 31st

Show Type: Childrens

Box Office: 847-634-0200

www.marriotttheatre.com/show/seussical

Tickets  are $18.23 including tax

Plenty of free parking.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Seussical”

SPECIAL NOTE: This show has deep meaning for many actors in this city as it was one where our dear friend Bernie Yvon played Horton. He is in my heart and this play will bring back some fond memeories for many theater buffs.