Oh, the things you will see
by Sally Lubetich

Almost every Dr. Seuss character comes to life as 18 talented children fill the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth stage with joyful enthusiasm, dancing and singing. Seussical, the Musical features thirty-two songs and over forty different characters light up the stage in this whimsical telling of Horton the Elephant, directed by Mattie Wheeler.

Horton, played by Hailey Chrysler, is on a mission to rescue the Whos, hatch the egg and save the day. That’s a tall order for one elephant. Along the way he meets plenty of helpful friends and encounters quite a few hindrances too. Hailey is wonderful as our 100 percent faithful hero.

Some standout performances include Madicyn McCallum as Cat, Cat In The Hat, that is. The Cat starts off the show and always seems to be around when trouble is brewing. Elsie Dank is wonderful as JoJo Who, the wide-eyed child with the big imagination. Melissa Burke-Manwaring plays Gertrude McFuzz, a very sweet little bird who just wants Horton to notice her. Anaya Seegers is amazing as Amazing Mayzie. Her jazzy song and dance routines and interactions with the other characters are vampishly funny. The Bird Girls, Emma Ritchie, Liliana Peau, and Alyssa Walters are a delight to watch. Edie Braimes is great as the Sour Kangaroo, who, along with the Wickersham Brothers, MacKenzie Knapp, Kyle Wayne, and Shanny Hujei, are always making trouble for Horton.

A rainbow of cute costumes and clever set pieces add vivid color and Seussian style to this delightful journey through some very familiar places such as McElligott’s Pool, Circus McGurkus, the Jungle of Drool and the deep blue sea.

With musical direction by Steve Barnes and Aaron Pernell, and choreography by Mary Evans, it’s easy to see that the months of hard work have paid off.

Seussical, The Musical. is sure to please kids of all ages who always seem to love Dr. Seuss.

Seussical, The Musical runs from February 19th through 28th at BAAY, 1059 N. State Street. Shows at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, February 19, 20, 26 and 27. 2:00 matinees on Saturday and Sundays, February 20, 21, 27, and 28. $10 tickets available through www.brownpapertickets.com or take your chance at the door. A wild and wacky – and fully working – brass Seuss instrument has been donated to BAAY for raffle during the run of the show.

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