Review: SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL at San Diego Musical Theatre

“Seussical the Musical” at San Diego Musical Theatre thorugh June 7th, is colorful chaos in its most delightful form, an energetic, sentimental, and joyfully silly production that embraces the heart and whimsy of Dr. Seuss’s beloved worlds. This musical weaves together some of his most iconic characters and themes into a colorful and charming adventure that appeals to audiences of all ages. Co-directed by Van Angelo (also serving as music director) and Xavier J. Bush (also serving as choreographer), this lively production balances playful absurdity with genuine warmth, creating an experience that charms children while offering plenty for adults to enjoy.

Narrated by the mischievous Cat in the Hat (Cameron Blankenship), “Seussical the Musical”  follows Horton the Elephant (Jordan Brownlee), who discovers an entire microscopic world living on a tiny speck of dust. He is determined to protect the tiny Whos despite ridicule and disbelief from the citizens of the jungle around him, and he is also tricked into caring for an abandoned egg as well. Alongside Horton’s journey are Jojo (Christopher Smyres), a wonderfully imaginative Who child whose tendency to think “big thinks” lands him in trouble with his parents and eventually at military school, and Horton’s loyal neighbor bird, Gertrude (Jasmine Jaunary). 

The show has a large and talented ensemble, including Kalia Concepcion, Carjanae Evans, Shelby Garza, Hank Gilchrist, Matthew Javier, Arden Johnson, Chloe Faith Johnson, Karina Johnson, Mikaela Rae Macias, Ali Jaheed Nelson, Adrian Oviedo, Tirzah Renee, Dacara Seward, Nick Siljander, Christopher Smyres, Juwan Stanford, Joe Stein, Tyler Tafolla, Phoenix Velona, Alyssa Lucero Vingerelli, Shanyeyah White, Emma Woolley, and Kylie Young. 

As the Cat in the Hat, Blankenship serves as both narrator and delightful chaos coordinator of the story. With a playfully mischievous flair, Blankenship threads together the musical’s many Seussian worlds while keeping the audience engaged. Where Blankenship brings the mischievous creativity, Brownlee’s performance grounds the production emotionally with gentleness and sincerity as Horton the Elephant, making his loyalty and kindness impossible not to root for.

Understudy Arden Johnson, who performed as Jojo at the performance I attended, delivered a wonderful portrayal full of openness, imagination, and sweetness of a child whose creativity simply refuses to be contained.

Jasmine January is adorably awkward and heartfelt as Gertrude McFuzz, the bird longing to be noticed by Horton. January makes Gertrude’s journey both funny and endearing.

DaCara Seward shines as the glamorous and flighty Mayzie La Bird, who abandons her egg, while Carjanae Evans commands attention with a powerhouse voice and presence as Sour Kangaroo, Horton’s fiercest critic.

Meanwhile, Mikaela Rae Macias earned some of the evening’s biggest laughs from the children around me as the delightfully absurd General Genghis Khan Schmitz. They dissolved into giggles every time Macias appeared, making it all the more fun.

Shelby Garza, Chloe Faith Johnson, and Karina Johnson bring vibrant personality and harmony, while Ali Jaheed Nelson, Phoenix Velona, and Adrian Oviedo provide excellent comic energy as the Wickersham Brothers. Nick Siljander and Alyssa Lucero Vingerelli round out the Whoville family dynamic as Mr. and Mrs. Mayor. Shout out to Tyler Tafolla, who uses his puppeteering experience to bring the Grinch to life for a few moments in the show that also had the kids around me cheering.

The talented ensemble also includes Kalia Concepcion, Carjanae Evans, Hank Gilchrist, Matthew Javier, Tirzah Renee, Juwan Stanford, Joe Stein, Emma Woolley, and Kylie Young, and they all help build a lively, imaginative world bursting with personality.

Michael Wogulis’s scenic design proves colorful and adaptable, seamlessly moving audiences from jungle landscapes to Whoville and beyond. Sammy Webster’s lighting design complements the fantasy with playful splashes of color. Patricia Lutz’s costume design deserves particular praise for its creativity, from the Cat’s many striped visual motifs to the glamorous feathered birds, Gertrude’s charmingly nerdy look, and countless whimsical Whoville personalities. Special appreciation goes to one particularly memorable Who sporting a beautiful fox-painted denim jacket.

Van Angelo’s musical direction is strong, helping the cast deliver energizing, exciting vocal performances that fill the theatre. Xavier J. Bush’s choreography adds dynamic movement and playful energy that perfectly complements the production’s imaginative spirit. Together, Angelo and Bush clearly understand what makes this resonate: big heart, musicality, humor, and unabashed silliness. With a large and talented ensemble fully committed to the bit, this fantastical world comes vibrantly to life.

“Seussical the Musical” celebrates friendship, compassion, and imagination while reminding audiences to hold onto their sense of wonder. 

How To Get Tickets

“Seussical the Musical” is playing at San Diego Musical Theatre through June 7th.  For ticket and showtime information, go to sdmt.org

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Seussical the Musical

5/15 - 6/7/2026

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