Fantastical, whimsical musical: Seussical kids
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Mira Brand
Participants in the American Academy summer musical theater camp poured passion and energy into their performances as characters in the musical production of Seussical KIDS.
The American Academy (AA) summer musical theater camp brought life to Dr. Seuss’s favorite characters Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and more in a fantastic musical extravaganza Seussical KIDS, which was presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International. Students rehearsed three weeks prior to curtain time. The production ran June 21-27 at The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet in Parker, including both morning and afternoon performances. AA – Castle Pines theater students practiced on campus for an outstanding performance.
True to form, Cat in the Hat stirred things up and caused trouble, but in the end managed to make things right.
Student performances transported the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus. Morning performances were narrated by the Cat in the Hat, played by Louise Green. The Cat in the Hat told the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust having tiny people called the Whos on it. While Horton protects the Whos from naysayers and dangers, he also guards an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird, played by Skylar Brand.
Faced with ridicule and danger, Gertrude McFuzz never lost faith in Horton. In Seussical KIDS, the powers of friendship, loyalty and community were a challenge but, in the end, triumphant. These talented AA theater students bonded as a family on and off stage.
The elaborate costumes and whimsical storyline made the summer production of Seussical KIDS spectacular.
