It is an odd coincidence that the legendary children’s book author Dr. Seuss (also known as Theodor Geisel) is once again so prominently in the news this week, just as the Bainbridge Performing Arts Theatre School premieres their version of the popular Seuss-inspired musical “Seussical, Jr.”
Odd maybe, but perhaps not surprising.
After all, the good doctor never really left.
Despite Geisel’s death in 1991, his works have scarcely left the public eye — and have been continually rediscovered through a variety of new mediums including cartoons, big screen feature films and stage productions.
His beloved characters and pantheon of timeless works — “The Cat in the Hat,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas, “Green Eggs and Ham” and so many more — will now include the newly published “What Pet Should I Get?”
This latest Seuss story was reportedly discovered by the author’s widow and long-time assistant in some old boxes, and subsequently published earlier this week.
Here on Bainbridge, the treasured scribe will take center stage at BPA at 7 p.m. Friday, July 31 and at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, as many of his most beloved characters collide and cavort in a musical mashup mystery.
Tickets — $12 for adults, and $8 for children — may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206-842-8569 or in person at BPA (200 Madison Ave. North).
The harrowing and hilarious tale transports audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, while our narrator the Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos, including Jojo, a precocious Who child who gets in trouble for thinking too many “thinks.”
Our hero’s challenge is actually twofold.
Not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers, doubters and dangers, but Horton — with the help of the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz — must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.
The show, directed by Zandi Carlson, BPA Theatre School’s director of education, features a 36-strong cast of young thespians, ranging from fourth to 11th grade.
“It’s something that people of all generations know and love,” Carlson said of the Seuss source material. “I think what’s great about this show is there’s a bunch of different featured roles, so there’s opportunities. Instead of just one star vehicle, there’s so many people who get songs and featured moments.”
Almost all of those featured moments are musical, unlike previous theater school offerings which were more dialogue heavy, something that several of the cast members were excited about.
“I really like that it’s the first show that the theater school has done that’s really all singing,” said Sophie Eldridge, 11, who plays Jojo.
“The characters are not human, everyday characters,” Carlson added. “Even the Whos, who are the most humanistic, are from a whole other planet, so we’ve had fun talking about, ‘How do they stand differently?’, ‘How do they sound differently?’, ‘How do we create a whole other universe that is borderline cartoony, but still be honest and believable?’”
Josh Moff, 12, who plays the compassionate hero Horton, said he is a longtime Seuss fan and very excited about the show’s mixture of fun songs and meaningful messages.
“Everyone is putting Horton down because they don’t hear what he hears,” Moff said. “So, basically, [the morale is] don’t make fun of other people and be kind.”
Carlson agreed, saying, “The values of the show are the values of the theater school.”
“Ultimately, it’s about accepting others and being kind and inclusive and that’s the most important thing for me, that these kids feel safe — physically and emotionally — to be here and to take risks,” she said. “Because you’re putting yourself out there when you’re singing [and] when you’re dancing.”
“Not everything comes naturally and easily for these kids,” she added. “So I want to create a safe place where they’re encouraging of each other and they support each other and they can take those acting risks and make mistakes and learn from them, without feeling that people are going to judge them.”
‘Seussical, Jr.’
What: Bainbridge Performing Arts Theatre School’s “Seussical, Jr.”
When: Shows are 7 p.m. Friday, July 31; as well as 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.
Where: BPA (200 Madison Ave. North).
Admission: Tickets, $12 for adults, and $8 for children, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206-842-8569 or in person at BPA.
