ASHLAND – With whimsical portrayal of universal themes, the works of Dr. Seuss have stood the test of time and resonated with readers across generations.
That’s why Ashland University’s Department of Theatre is eager to bring Seuss’s characters and stories to life by presenting “Seussical.” The musical opens Friday and runs through Feb. 24 in the university’s Hugo Young Theatre.
Director Teresa Durbin-Ames expects “Seussical” to draw large crowds from the community, much like the popular “The Wizard of Oz” show the department presented four years ago. Tickets sales are already brisk, she said.
The theater department used the “Seussical” message, “A person’s a person no matter how small,” to frame and promote its entire season, which culminates with this musical.
Senior Jake Riley plays the lead role of Horton the Elephant.
“It’s a lot of fun just to live in this magical, colorful world, expressing the power of imagination and joy,” Riley said. “Plus, it’s got a good message, which is always nice … Everyone can leave this building with something positive taken from this show.”
Riley said he likes to imagine the impact his performance could have on children in the audience who may never have experienced a stage production before.
“There’s a good chance this show will spark a lifelong love of theater for a number of people, and that is the greatest thing,” he said.
Joining the 19 university cast members are AU history professor John Moser as General Gengus Khan Schmitz and 10 area third through eighth graders in the roles of Community Whos. The Community Whos include Rowyn Osborne, Aaliyah Andreson, Perry Kral, Samantha Steinhauser, Bryce Gray, Rebecca Matz, Ethan Rhine, Abigail Pascarella, Andrew Pascarella and Landon Flint.
Moser describes the music in “Seussical” as offering a mix of styles, but always catchy and upbeat. The show is almost entirely sung, and also includes a lot of dancing, an element that has been challenging for the cast.
“Seussical” marks Moser’s first involvement in the theater in about 14 years.
“It’s terrific,” he said. “It’s so nice working with these students, and I was amazed to learn how young they are because they’re so talented and so terrific to work with. I assumed they were more seasoned than they are.”
The show has a relatively large number of freshmen.
Among them is Emily Schordock, who is reprising her role as The Cat in Hat. She played the character in a junior version of the show in a middle school production.
“In middle school, nobody wanted to be there,” Schordock said. “But here, it’s big and colorful and everybody wants to be here. We have real costumes, a real set and a real orchestra. It’s fun to do it this way and to take the role in a new direction and try to do it better.”
Schordock said adults and children alike will enjoy the show.
“I think think people are just going to leave with huge smiles on their faces and songs stuck in their heads,” she said.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 17, 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in Hugo Young Theatre.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens, AU faculty, staff and alumni; $8 for groups of 10 or more, $5 for children and non-AU students and $2 for Ashland University students with ID.
To purchase tickets, call the Ashland University Box Office at 419-289-5125, noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.ashland.edu/tickets.
In conjunction with the show, Ashland University’s Coburn Art Gallery and the Department of Art and Design will host an exhibition titled, “Dear Dr. Seuss” Feb. 15 to 24. Additionally, Art Saturdays will offer a free family art activity based on the exhibition beginning 30 minutes prior to the shows in the Coburn Art Gallery, which is located in the Center for the Arts.
