“Seussical the Musical” is the Lewis Theater Departments’ last show of the spring semester, but it is also the last show for several of the school’s seniors.
A few of them reflected on what their time at Lewis meant to them and how they have been affected by their time in theater and in performing “Seussical.”
“Seussical” is filled with one fantastic, energetic musical number after the other.
The show opens with “Oh, the Thinks you can Think!” led by the whimsical Cat in the Hat.
The cast does an amazing job of bringing the already lively Dr. Seuss books to life. The colorful costumes and sets create the perfect atmosphere for envisioning a trip into the psychedelic Dr. Seuss world.
The play takes the viewer on a journey following the relationship between Horton, a caring and selfless elephant, and a civilization of Who’s from Whoville who live on a speck of dust that Horton caught on a flower. None of the other animals in the Jungle of Nool believe that there are actual people on the speck of dust. The storyline is centered around Horton protecting the tiny little Who world.
Michael Friar, a second year marketing major, played The Cat in the Hat. Kevin Kuchar, who is in his third year of studying theater at Lewis, played Horton the Elephant.
The leads were rounded out with Kate Sisto who played JoJo, a Who that is Mr. Mayor’s daughter.
The Who characters were wonderfully played. Anyone who has read the Dr. Seuss books know that Who’s are quirky little characters in which normal movement seems to be one of their most difficult tasks.
“The hardest part of preparing for the show was the movement. The movements remind me a little of penguins,” said Missy Young, senior theatre major who plays Mrs. Mayor.
All in all, the show is 75 minutes of great entertainment. It is filled with great musical numbers and plenty of life lessons.
Director, Keith White said, “The show may appear silly, but every one of his stories teach some great lessons. The show deals with treating everyone with respect even if they are ‘small,’ taking responsibility and accepting yourself no matter what God has given you.”
In addition to these lessons, seniors, whose last show is “Seussical,” have other things they have learned while in the theater department at Lewis.
Stephany Gran, an elementary education major has learned the value of theater as a way to teach.
Gran said she “will surely incorporate theater into the classroom. It is such an engaging way to learn.”
“With everybody’s hard work and amazing talent, I think the show turned out great,” said Young.
Young mentioned all of the opportunities she’s had in the department and everything she has learned outside of acting.
“My experiences have been amazing. I have been able to direct, act, stage manage, help build sets, lighting, sound and props.”
These skills will surely come in handy as she hopes to teach and direct theater in the future.
Both Young and Gran will be sad on their last show and discussed the difficulties of moving on.
“I do feel sad because it is my last show. At least I was able to have the opportunity to do at least one show. I wish I had more time before so I could have been a part of such a wonderful program sooner,” said Gran.
Young said she was “really sad that this is my last show at Lewis. I’ve had such an amazing time here and I don’t want it to be over. I know there will be major tears on the last show. My experiences here at the theater department have been amazing.”
Brandon White, Staff Reporter
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