Review: THE CAT IN THE HAT at The Growing Stage Charms

Here's your chance to experience the fun of a beloved classic story. Dr. Seuss' s The Cat in the Hat is being performed at The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey from Friday, May 5th through Sunday, May 21st. This lively theatrical treat tops off The Growing Stage's successful 2016-2017 season. The production enjoys wonderful direction by the theatre's Education Director, Lori B. Lawrence and features a multi-talented cast. It a show that will delight children and adults alike. We attended a school performance that had a full house of preschoolers, primary school students, parents and chaperones. The entire audience thoroughly enjoyed it.

The show is completely faithful to the books text. It starts with the well-known line said by the Boy, "The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play, so we sat in the house all that cold, cold wet day." Then the two children and their fish receive surprise visits by Cat along with Think 1 and Thing 2. Havoc ensues as the tricky Cat precariously balances on a ball and the mischievous duo of Thing One and Thing Two set about wrecking the house. Will the madness end by the time mother comes home? The Cat in the Hat is a tale that has charmed readers for generations and the stage show proves just as engaging.

The cast of Dr. Seuss' s Cat in the Hat brings the story to life. They capture the dynamic portrayal of their characters and deliver the verse with impeccable timing. Leading the cast is Davis Cameron Lemley as Cat. He is joined by Jason Pumarda as Boy; Marie Nicole as Sally; Donald Andrew Danford as Fish; Najah Johnson as Thing 1/Kitten 1; Alexandra Veccho as Thing 2/Kitten 2.

The Production Staff has done a great job of bringing Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat to the stage. You'll feel like you have stepped right into the storybook. The team includes design by S.L. Fredericks; Costume Design by Lori B. Lawrence; scenic, props, puppet design and painting by Perry Arthur Kroeger. The Stage Manager is Nikole Rizzo and the Light Board Operator is Ally Takayama. And a special thank you has been extended to June Fredericks, Jennifer and Malcolm.

Bravo to The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey for presenting metro area audiences with a fantastic production of Dr Seuss' s The Cat in the Hat. Gather your group. You won't want to miss this one.

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat runs from May 5th through May 21st . The show is one hour with no intermission. The performance schedule is Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. The Growing Stage continues FUN-tastic Fridays with all tickets $15. Saturday and Sunday tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children. A Special Talk-back will take place Opening Night (May 5) with the creative team following the performance. To purchase tickets, please visit www.growingstage.com or call (973) 347-4946. Group rates and Birthday Party packages are available.

Photo Credit: S.L. Fredericks

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