‘Seussical: The Musical’ Takes the Stage at Other Voices Theatre

Dr. Seuss once asked his audience to wonder at all the places they would go. The theater is one place where folks can journey to see some of the beloved children’s author and illustrator’s most famous characters, such as Gertrude McFuzz, Horton the elephant, The Cat and the Hat and Yertle the Turtle.

Other Voices Theatre will help these characters come to life in the ensemble musical comedy “Seussical: The Musical,” created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The show, running from May 6-15, presents a number of Seuss’s cherished stories including “Horton Hears A Who,” “Gertrude McFuzz” and “Horton Hatches the Egg.”

As a part of its Main Stage season, OVT’s artistic director Susan Thornton notes they always try to include a show that will appeal to families and have a cast that includes children. The last time the group performed “Seussical” was about a decade ago.

“I love the show because the music has got some beautiful tender, touching songs in it, and it has such a positive message of ‘you can do anything you think you can, the thinks you can think and the places you can go,’” she says. “It was a positive feel-good show that we thought everybody needed.”

“Seussical” is one of the first family shows since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, and Thornton is thrilled to be welcoming parents and children back to the theater both on and off stage. For this show, four families are in the cast: a dad and daughter, a mom and daughter and two moms and sons. “It was very cool coming to auditions to see parents and their kids coming into the audition,” she says. “Everybody is so positive and so happy to be here.”

Auditions occurred in early March, and the rehearsals began shortly afterward with a cast that range in age from tweens to adults. Thornton notes she has most enjoyed hearing the song rehearsals which are lead by musical director Cathie Porter-Borden. “It is great to hear the energy and to hear the songs,” Thornton says. “(The musical has) got some great music in it.” Some of the songs include “Solla Sollew,” “It’s Possible” and “Alone in the Universe.”

After two years of empty stages, Thornton hopes folks will come out to see the musical. “It will put you in a great mood,” she says. “It is a positive upbeat story, and I think everybody needs to smile, needs to laugh and needs to walk out of the theater feeling positive. Everybody needs that pick-me-up right now.”