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If you\u2019re a fan of Dr. Seuss\u2019s fertile imagination, you might want to visit Act Out Theatre in Taylor between Sept. 25 and Oct. 25 to watch the zany adventures of the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Mayzie La Bird, Yertle the Turtle, the Grinch and the Sour Kangaroo in \u201cSeussical the Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe show is incredibly hilarious,\u201d said Dan Pittman, who is owner and artistic director of Act Out, and chose this show as part of his 10th anniversary season at the helm. \u201cYou\u2019ll catch yourself laughing hysterically, and then it will give you some sentimental and heartwarming moments as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with all the humor and sentiment, Pittman is looking forward to another aspect of the production. Ever since he was 12 years old and saw the show for the first time, he said, \u201cI\u2019ve wanted to be Horton.\u201d<\/p>\n
That long-cherished wish is coming true, and Pittman will be one of five performers sharing the role of the kind-hearted elephant who not only sits on an abandoned egg but protects a dust speck because a whole world of tiny creatures is living on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to direct Dan as Horton is really something special,\u201d said Pittman\u2019s colleague Kalen Churcher. \u201cI know how much this show and role mean to him. It\u2019s an honor to help him fulfill a dream. He truly deserves it. I smile every time I see him onstage.\u201d<\/p>\n
No doubt there will be lots of smiling faces on stage as some 60 performers \u2014 adults, teens and younger children \u2014 take turns with various roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been fun to have some larger musical rehearsals where the adults and younger cast members are learning from one another,\u201d Churcher said. \u201cIt\u2019s also been really cool to see some parents performing alongside their children.<\/p>\n
Families like the Riccis, from Dickson City, are enjoying that bonding experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom performing alongside (youngest son) JJ to watching (older son) Ronbo prepare for his roles, we\u2019ve been singing in the car, dancing around the house and sharing our Seussical fun,\u201d said mom Leslie Ricci, who portrays a Wickersham Brother and Yertle the Turtle.<\/p>\n
Anybody who learned to read with Dr. Seuss books may remember how Yertle made a stack of turtles and the Wickersham Brothers threatened Horton\u2019s dust speck.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people will recognize the characters, if they know any Dr. Seuss books,\u201d Pittman, of Plymouth, said in a phone interview.<\/p>\n
Even if you grew up without Dr. Seuss, he predicted, you\u2019ll enjoy the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese characters are just so zany,\u201d Pittman said.<\/p>\n
The adult division performs Sept. 25 to Oct. 4 with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. at Act Out Theatre, 802 S. Main St., Taylor. Tickets in advance are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. At the door, the prices are $18 and $12.<\/p>\n
The Sept. 27 matinee is a sensory-friendly performance featuring lower lights and volume, relaxed seating, and a pre-show character meeting. All are welcome.<\/p>\n
Tickets for the sensory-friendly performance can be obtained by emailing info@actouttheatre.com. For all other performances, including the teen and youth division performances, visit actouttheatre.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.<\/p>\n Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.
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