DM Playhouse Opens SEUSSICAL, 4/26

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Kate Goldman Children's Theatre presents the musical "Seussical TYA," Apr. 26-May 19. Tickets may be purchased at online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at The Playhouse ticket office. "Seussical TYA" is sponsored by ITAGroup.

Horton the Elephant is bathing in the Jungle of Nool when he hears a voice speaking out of a speck of dust. Soon, Horton discovers that it's the voice of the mayor of Whoville, a microscopic city. Horton catches the speck on a clover and promises to the mayor that he will protect the Whos. So when the clover gets stolen, Horton vows to get it back. He soon becomes sidetracked when the lazy Mayzie LaBird asks him to sit on her egg so she can have the day off. Mayzie never returns, so Horton is stuck with two tasks: rescuing the Whos and guarding the egg.

"Seussical TYA" is based on nearly 20 stories by Dr. Seuss, with music, lyrics, and book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The Playhouse cast is directed and choreographed by Alison Shafer, with musical direction by Steve Woodin.

The Playhouse cast features Brett Spahr as The Cat in the Hat; Aaron Coffey and Avi Gedler alternating the role of JoJo Who; Douglas Cochrane as Horton the Elephant; Molly Larche as Gertrude McFuzz; Katja Seashotz as Mayzie LaBird; Amy Leonard as Sour Kangaroo; Bailey Self as Young Kangaroo; Mike Howland as Mr. Mayor; Katie Dorrell as Mrs. Mayor; Jon-Philip Olson as Yertle the Turtle; JC Collier, Joshua Haldeman, and Jordan Skarin as the Wickersham Brothers; Lyndsy Darland, Abbey Ellis, and Elsa Klein as Bird Girls; plus Tommy Anderson, Alexis Frank, and Paige Marshall.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about The Playhouse and "Seussical TYA," contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.