Student production of ‘Seussical’ debuts this weekend

Published 8:00 am Monday, March 20, 2017

By Ted Yoakum

The colorful cast from Dr. Suess’ beloved children books will jump from the page to the stage during Dowagiac’s latest spring musical this weekend.

Dowagiac middle and high school students will present their production of Lynn Ahrens’ and Stephen Flaherty’s “Seussical” at the middle school auditorium, with shows at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $7, and can be purchased at the door.

The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2000, is an
amalgamation of many of Dr. Suess’ works. The story focuses on Horton (played by Dowagiac Union High School junior Brandon Martin), the elephant protagonist from “Horton Hears a Who,” and his attempts to protect the people of Who-ville, who live on a speck of dust.

Throughout the play, Horton and the residents of Who-ville encounter many other figures from Suess’ books, including The Grinch (Shane Strom), Yertle the Turtle (Ben Herter) and The Cat in the Hat (Mary Leversen), who serves as the narrator of the show.

“Even if you have only read one of Dr. Suess’ books, there will be someone on stage you will recognize,” said Director Meredith Marrs. “You will feel like you are sitting inside the pages of a book.”

Keeping with the theme of the books, the musical maintains a fast, energetic pace throughout show. The show is comprised almost entirely of musical and dance numbers, with dialog kept to a minimum.

As a result, memorization of lyrics, timing and stage positioning are more important that ever for the cast to nail down before the curtain rises this weekend, Marrs said.

“‘Seussical’ is unlike anything we have done before,” said Lauren Smith, a DUHS senior who plays JoJo, the imaginative son of the mayor of Who-ville who befriends Horton. “It has really brought out our A-games.”

The 36 cast members — comprised mainly of veterans of previous student theater productions — have been rehearsing since January for this weekend’s performance. In spite of some difficulties with illnesses and scheduling conflicts with other school events, the students have really started to find their groove as they approach opening night, Marrs said.

As with past school productions, the students will not only perform in the show but are also responsible for many other elements of the production, including making their own costumes and assembling props and the set. The student band will also lend a hand to the performance, playing in the orchestra pit.

While the play may lift its material from Suess’ library, both the young and old alike will find something to love about this weekend’s performances.

“No matter if you are 80 or 4, you know Dr. Suess,” Smith said.

Cast

Cat in the Hat: Mary Leversen

JoJo: Lauren Smith

Horton: Brandon Martin

Gertrude McFuzz: Madison Stout

Mayzie LaBird: Emily Potter

General Gengus Khan Schmitz: Jonathan Stockwell

Mr. Mayor: Jenna Henry

Mrs. Mayor: Jessica Robison

Yertle the Turtle: Ben Herter

Sour Kangaroo: Christianna Schommer

Young Kangaroo: Olivia Shafer

Wickersham Brothers: Jaycob Hill, Nate True, Mateo Vazquez and Anna Yeager

Bird Girls: Lanie Gist, Chloe Johnson, Gabrielle Munson, Isabella Ruiz and Juliana Stanger

Thing 1 and Thing 2: Hannah Christner and Taylor Roberts

Grinch: Shane Strom

Whos: Daija Conley, LaMaya Davis, Isabelle Deering, Sara Gilmer, Millicent Hartsig, Audrey Marrs, Addie Neely, Erin Schultz, Olivia Stanger and Cora Wegner

The Cadets: Ben Herter, Jaycob Hill, Nate True and Mateo Vazquez

Production staff

Director: Meredith Marrs

Vocal director: Jeff Robinson

Conductor: Justin Makarewicz

Pianist: Heidi Ferris

Assistants to director: Kara Cox, Amanda Means and Isabell Vazquez

Stage manager: Danielle Lamb

PAC director: Lincoln Clark

Publicity: Meredith Marrs, Kara Cox and Amanda Means

Props: Tech crew

Choreography: Meredith Marrs, Isabel Vazquez and Julianna Stanger

Production crew

Lights: Lincoln Clark

Spot lights: Rebecca Franklin and Josh Dzakowic

Sounds: Landon Clark

Costumes and make-up: Cast of “Seussical”

Stage crew: Allyson Hatter, Kylar Kinyon, Jenna Martin, Gabby Okonski, Jared Peters, Sage Salas, Seria Scott, Ethan Stout, Sam Strom and Justin Townsend

Orchestra: Lauren Ahonen, Shayne Bacon, Jeri Cole, Daniel Contreras, Ellen Cox, Mallory Dodd, Harli Ivey, Abby Klann, Keith Klann, Maggie MacDonald, Carolyn Murray, Ryan Murray, Daphne O’Brien, Dominic Reaume, Emmaline Sovine, Chris Symonds, Michael Symonds, LeighAnne Walker and Heaven Wallace

More Dowagiac

Dowagiac hosts annual Christmas Open House

Creating tomorrow: Dowagiac breaks ground on Lincoln School housing project

Dowagiac senior excited to represent community as Miss Eau Claire/Sodus 2025

Teacher/Staff Spotlight: Janice Starling, Justus Gage Elementary

Print Article

SportsPlus