Seussical on Racine Children's Theatre Stage

The Racine Children’s Theatre presents the marvelous, magical, musical “Seussical,” adapted for young audiences, Feb. 12-14 at the Racine Theatre Guild.

Nick Holub, as
the Cat in the Hat

The favorite characters and fanciful tales of children’s author Dr. Seuss are brought together by Jojo, a young boy who’s a “thinker of strange and wonderful thinks!” His imagination transports colorful Seuss characters from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The story centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge—he must not only protect his friends, little Jojo and the invisible Whos, from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, kidnapping charges and a trial, Gertrude McFuzz recognizes his kind and powerful heart and never loses faith in him. In the end, through laughter and tears, friendship, loyalty, family and community triumph.

Tony winners Lynn Ahrens (lyrics and book) and Stephen Flaherty (music and book) have shortened and simplified certain plot elements found in the full-length musical “Seussical” for this Theatre for Young Audiences Version.

Former Racine resident Kara Ernst of E. Motions returns to the Children’s Theatre as director for a second time this season and is seen in the role of Gertrude McFuzz. In January, Ernst directed “Alice in Wonderland.” In past seasons she brought to the RCT stage “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “The Little Mermaid and the Prince,” “The Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood” and “Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum!”

The local cast of “Seussical” includes these veterans of Racine Theatre Guild musicals: Nick Holub (Cat in the Hat), Bob Benson (Horton), Dana Roders (Mayzie), Kathy Berg (Sour Kangaroo), Zak Keil (Wickersham 1), Joseph Vignieri (Wickersham 2), Jamie Johnson (Wickersham 3), Brian Schalk (Mayor of Whoville), Ellie Hammond (Mayor’s wife) and Connor Benson (Jojo).

Performances of “Seussical” run for one weekend only, Feb. 12 - 14. Show times are Friday at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. Since seating is by general admission and not reserved, patrons are advised to arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to curtain time. Packy the Elephant, mascot of the Racine Children’s Theatre, introduces each performance. The play’s costumed characters meet and greet audience members in the lobby afterwards.

The box office at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave., is open from 12 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 90 minutes prior to each scheduled performance. Tickets are $6 each for all seats and all ages. Packy Plays are designed for families with children ages 4 and older. Call 262-633-4218 for reservations and other information or purchase online.