SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL to Open at Spanos PAC, 7/16 - 24

Seussical: The Musical will perform at the Spanos PAC, 1 Grand Avenue, from July 16 - 24. Please note the family-friendly performance schedule: Saturday Matinees at 2 PM , Evenings at 7PM and Sunday Matinees at 2PM. Ticket prices range from $22.50 - 27.50 and may be charged by phone at (805) 756- ARTS or www.pacslo.org.

Seussical: The Musical weaves together stories and characters drawn from fifteen beloved books by Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat is the emcee of this family-friendly show about the power of imagination and the importance of believing in you. Join him on a visit to the Jungle of Nool and the dust-speck planet of Who. This magical musical extravaganza brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie la Bird, and JoJo, a little boy with a big imagination.

Seussical: The Musical has a score by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Ahrens and Flaherty. It was adapted from the works of Dr. Seuss based on the conception of Ahrens, Flaherty and Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame). This production is recommended for audiences age 4 and up.

"Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories collide in an unforgettable musical caper! The Cat in the Hat (Erik Austin) is the host and emcee in this musical romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet-natured elephant Horton (Matt Ambrose) hears a cry for help coming from a floating speck of dust, he promises to rescue it and keep it safe because "a person's a person, no matter how small." On that small speck of dust lives JoJo (Jayce Garcia & Westen Meyer), an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding "thinks" in which "anything is possible," but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor and his wife of Who-Ville (Lester Wilson & Carey Blauvelt). Meanwhile, in the Jungle of Nool, Horton is antagonized by the Wickershim Brothers (Scott Nelson, Jeffery Larsen and Ryan Vasquez) and mused by a doo-op girl group of Birds (Danielle Dutro, Ashlin Hatch, Danielle Mendoza and Veronica Surber) while Horton's neighbor Miss Gertrude McFuzz (Makenzie Hunt), a bird with a one-feather tail, only wants Horton to notice her and decides a more impressive tail is what she needs to catch his eye as the conniving Mayzie La Bird (Olivia Tenney) cajoles Horton into sitting on her egg while she goes off on a spree.

Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton ever notice Gertrude? Will Mayzie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss's best loved characters find themselves intertwined in a crazy-quilt adventure in which the power of friendship, loyalty, family and community is challenged but ultimately emerges triumphant. Join Kelrik for this musical journey through the imagination of Dr. Seuss - a trip that will make you laugh and cry. Don't miss this wonderful production featuring the crème de la crème of Central Coast talent.

Directed by Erik Austin, the Kelrik production features a talented local cast of thirty- seven. According to Austin, "Kelrik is always proud to showcase the immense talent in our community. This production, brought back by popular demand is a particularly good show for younger performers. We are thrilled to be able to cast so many talented teens and children both in featured roles and the ensemble co-mingled with the adult leads. It's gratifying to be able to offer such a great performance opportunity to our up and coming local talent and to take this show to a Broadway-caliber level at the Spanos Theater".

Other members of the creative team include Jeffery Larsen (Choreography), Lacey McNamara (Musical Direction), Sean Blauvelt (Stage Manager), David Beals (Lighting Design), and Keith Wetzel of Costume Capers (Costume Design). Professional backdrops will be provided by Kenmark, Inc.

 

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