It was no surprise that the majority of the audience was younger than 12.
That meant the actors had their work cut out for them because for children, a show has to be entertaining from beginning to end.
From the minute the curtain went up, the performers captured and kept the children's attention.
The costumes alone were candy for the eyes -- sparkling sequins, elaborate hairdos in the brightest of colors and funky dresses.
Stealing the spotlight were Ben Bentler as the all-so-animated Cat in the Hat; Amanda Murray, as geeky Gertrude McFuzz; and Chris Carpenter as faithful, trustworthy Horton the Elephant.
. . .
The music alone keeps it hopping -- "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think" and "Green Eggs & Ham" are among the popular tunes.
Both the music and choreography shined. . . . And if the smiles on the children's faces were any indication, the show will have a very successful run.
A pic:
I was going to go tonight, but I keep sneezing. Stefanie, I think that wasn't allergies last night, but a cold. 'Cause I don't have allergies. And I think I've now got a cold. Which I emphatically do NOT want to give to anyone in the cast, so I think I'm quarantining myself at home tonight and I'll try to catch you Thursday.
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by Eric Idle
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Jeff Shields
Oct 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12, 13, 14*, 15
Thu at 7 pm, Fri/Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm
* two shows on Oct 14, 2 pm and 8 pm
Englert Civic Theatre
Downtown Iowa City
Following in the footsteps of our hit A Year with Frog and Toad, we are
again working with the Children's Museum to provide quality entertainment for children of all ages!
Seussical the Musical is the whimsical musical adaptation of the works of Dr. Seuss, beloved children's book author and illustrator. Audiences will be delighted as their favorite Seuss characters, such as Horton the Elephant and the Cat in the Hat, will spring to vibrant musical life on the Englert Stage.
In addition, all summer long at the Iowa Children's Museum, children and families can watch as the Seussical Set is built from the ground up and even participate in the decoration and design. "We are providing an opportunity for all of the community to have an active role in this show," says Chris Okiishi, producer of the show. "Everyone who visits the museum over the summer can see their work eventually on the Englert stage."
Sure to be a sellout, tickets will be available at the Englert Box Office starting in April. Creating Seussical at the Iowa Children's Museum opens June 2006.
More details at the City Circle website.
Catch the article in the Press-Citizen. I love this quote:
Chris Carpenter is delighted to have the role as Horton.
"It's the part that I really, really wanted," said Carpenter, 44.
Why did he want the role so bad?
Well, for starters Horton is a really good guy and to top it off, he gets to hatch an egg on stage, Carpenter said.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the egg bit alone will be worth the price of admission. . . .
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