Campers Present SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL in Berwick

Twelve-year-old Sydney Gosselin of North Berwick plays an awkward, yet determined little bird with a one-feather tail. Gosselin loves her part in Seussical Jr, the Hackmatack Youth Camp musical now in production. It's not too big and not too small, just the right part for a budding thespian.

"I don't really like being the main character because I feel like it's too hard, but being Getrude McFuzz is a challenge. It has a lot but not so much that I'm stressing out about it," said Sydney, one of 16 campers who will appear Aug. 5 and 6 in the Berwick production of Seussical Jr.

Written by Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical Jr. brings Dr. Seuss characters to life onstage and gives each young member of the cast a chance to shine, according to camp director Julie McTague.

"Not one kid doesn't have their moment on stage," said McTage, of Epping.

This musical extravaganza takes audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, with the Cat in the Hat telling the story of Horton the Elephant, who must protect tiny people called the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers. Although Horton faces ridicule and danger, Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. The powers of friendship triumph

For campers, including Sydney, participating in Hackmatack's camp is a chance to get close to Hackmatack's main stage productions and the actors who appear in it.

"It's really cool to listen to the main stage actors," said Sydney, who is now in her sixth summer as a camper at Hackmatack. "It sounds so good you never believe you could do that. It's amazing to listen to them and see them dancing."

Sometimes Sydney volunteers during the main stage productions, either as an usher or to work concessions, giving her another peek into the world of professional actors. And camp she often stays to water flowers.

"We learn a lot about theater. Different tricks of memorizing lines and how to act better," Sydney said. "We also play theater games and everyone really, really enjoys them."

The goal, according to McTague, is to combine great theater experience with old-fashioned summer fun.

"The kids have gotten a real mix of learning about theater and how to be on stage and how to perform, but also just having tons of fun," said McTague, who has musical director Rob Finch working with her adding to the fun.

In fact, McTagues's two children - Sarah, 10, and Peter, 13 - have been going to camp the last several years and are there now. In past year, McTague, a drama and music teacher at Somersworth, would linger about the rural grounds of Hackmatack, offering her help where needed.

"I have a long drive so I've been helping out, subbing in and trying to do everything I can to help," said McTague. Now she is helping the campers learn about the world of theater.

As Sydney's mom Tanya Gosselin said, "She's learned a lot about not just stage presence but the whole process."

Seussical Jr. will be showing 10 am Friday Aug. 5 and Saturday Aug. 6 at Hackmatack Playhouse. Tickets, available at the box office, are $10 for adults and $6 for students. For tickets and information, call 207-698-1807.

Seussical Jr., put on by the Hackmatack Youth Theater Camp, will be showing 10 am Friday Aug. 5 and Saturday Aug. 6 at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick. Tickets, available at the box office, are $10 for adults and $6 for students. For tickets and information, call 207-698-1807.