SMTS stages "Seussical the Musical"

SHERBURNE – Sherburne Music Theater Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary. In celebration of their 40 years of fabulous fun, they are presenting “Seussical the Musical” Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Sherburne-Earlville high school auditorium.

This marvelous show combines 13 of Dr. Seuss’ works in a fanstastical, magical, musical extravaganza. Notable composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life in Seussical all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and the Whos of Whoville.  These classic, colorful tales are seamlessly brought together by JoJo, a young boy and “thinker of strange and wonderful thinks.” As each story unfolds you will marvel at how relevant and profound Seuss’s subtle themes are, making this musical one that appeals to all ages. The score emerges as a Seussian mix of musical styles, ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk.

The cast is comprised of many local talents. The mischievous Cat in the Hat is played by Ariel Eliaz and Jojo, the thinker of great thinks, is James Moren. Tom Lemery portrays Horton the Elephant, the loving gentle soul that believes “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” Krysta Nower is Gertrude McFuzz, who is trying to get Horton to notice her. Mayzie LaBird, who leaves her egg with Horton to “take a vacation,” is depicted by Ellen Fagan. Horton is laughed at as he tries to convince the forest that the Whos do exist, especially by the Sour Kangaroo, played by Shari Taylor, her young Kangaroo, Marie Moren; the Wickersham Brothers, Ben Gorton, Eric Robertson and Jacob Taylor; and the Bird Girl Group, played by Brittany Clark, Lauren Mettler and Sarah Liuzzo.