A cat in a hat, a kangaroo with a baby in their fat. Mystical and magical, maybe a little tragical. Applause and laughter, all to be remembered long after. Bearcats that brought it all together, hand in hand birds of a feather. Everyone is engaged not one picking a cuticle, all brought by Seussical the Musical.
PRHS put on their annual kid’s play for the elementary schools, as well as the general public, on Friday, Feb. 20th and Saturday, Feb. 21st. This is a play about a mashup of children’s author, Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss’) stories. The main story in the play follows the story of Horton, played by junior Jude Taylor, who hears a Who. The Cat in the Hat, played by senior Clarae Clarke, befriends a young boy named Jojo, played by Kaia Cross. The Wickersham brothers, played by Angelika Figueroa, Timber Amaral, and Moss Coulter Teel, torment and torment Horton along with a sour kangaroo played by Amber Malik, and the baby in her pouch played by sophomore Leyla Bisby. With fishes and fishes and fishes galore, played by Bailey Andrews Melissa Ruiz, Yazmin Ruiz, Arianna Kurtzman, Quinn Stason, Opal Coata, Logan Brand, Willow Mount, and Figueroa, Amaral, and Coulter Teel, they add to the scenery and make it real. The shy little bird Gertrude Mc Fuzz, played by Zayliah Gonzales, befriends Horton and helps with his journey. A crazy little bird leaves Horton alone, her name Mayzle LaBird, played by Brooke Manier. Last but not least and certaintly not forgot, was Mr. Mayor, played by Lily Valdovinos and Mrs. Mayor, played by Hailey Nicklas.
The Suess stories, Horton Hears a Who and Green Eggs and Ham were mentioned in this play. The main play was about Horton Hears a Who, where an elephant finds a small clover with people on it. He vows to protect the clover and make sure that they survive, because a person is a person no matter how small. Also, Green Eggs and Ham was sung at the end of the play, which follows the story of a man who does not like green eggs and ham, but a man named Sam keeps asking him to try them. Once he gives in he loves green eggs and ham.
Watching this play was like a burst of nostalgia. After all the elementary school years of reading books by Seuss, this was like a blast from the past. The lights and the set made the audience really immersed in the world of Suess. With everyone acting like their character perfectly, it made the whole play really come to life. I think this was one of the best plays I have ever watched. If they played it again I would definitely go watch it.
This play was performed by students in Acting II, directed by choreographer and new director, Courtney Brock, a first time director, and someone new to our district. There were about seven different elementary schools in attendance from across PRJUSD, inviting classes from kindergarten to third grade. The auditions for this play started in September, and it took them four months for planning and rehearsals. There were a total of thirty students in the cast and crew that helped with the play.
When you first walk in the room, there is whimsical music that sets the atmosphere for the play. The lights almost make the room feel nostalgic and childish. The actors and actresses were really in their roles. They played the parts of the characters perfectly and depicted the actions and tones of the characters as Seuss himself did in the book. The singing was so beautiful and in harmony, not one person missed a beat.
Brock has been choreographing for this school for thirteen years, but this was her first experience as a director. However, Brock felt that her directorial debut was supported by her audience.
“My favorite part was when we finally got to put it on stage it felt like we were discovering this show in a whole new way through the eyes of the kids that came to watch!” Brock said.
Looking back on the play, Brock says, “Seeing their faces light up in the audience made all the hard work worth it!”
The play not only connected the audience but connected with the cast members as well. “I think every single show you’re always, you always have to kind of meet new people.” Clarke said.
Playing the cat in the hat, and making the magic come to life, Clarke’s favorite part was “I really just enjoyed connecting with the kids. I think that was the most important part of it all, because I have all these little memories like doing a tiny magic trick in front of this kid, and then just his whole face just lighting up”
Cats in hats, birds and bats. Characters who come to life, the play came together through hard work and strife. Directors who are new, audience members watching never blue. Happy and fun, once over the audience wished it wasn’t done. The bearcats and director who made this come together, the clover that was light as a feather. As this play comes to an end, some people leave with a new forever friend.
