“WHO is important?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” Music Director Holly Ota anticipates that audiences and cast members alike will contemplate these big questions and more during Mount Madonna School’s middle school production of Seussical JR.
“Seussical JR. threads important lessons throughout for people of all ages,” Holly said. “The production addresses themes such as loneliness and mattering, and allows us to discover the undeniable connection between all living creatures–and therefore the inherent value of all!”
Performances are Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16 at 2:00pm at Mount Madonna School’s Hawks’ Nest Theater. This production is designed for children and families of all ages.
Seussical JR. begins with a young boy named JoJo who conjures up the Cat in the Hat with his powerful imagination and is whisked to the Jungle of Nool for a fantastical adventure. There JoJo learns of the plight of the tiny citizens of Whoville, who live on a planet the size of a speck of dust. Their sole protector is Horton the Elephant, who is the only one with large and sensitive enough ears to hear them bipping and beeping and playing their oompahs. The small world is threatened by Sour Kangaroo and the Wickersham Brothers, who in disbelief that a world could be so small, try to steal the dust-speck so they can cast it into a vat of Beezle-Nut oil. The Cat in the Hat follows this and other dramatic storylines featuring Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, and a host of Dr. Seuss favorites, until JoJo ultimately saves his whole tiny world with one big, imaginative “think.”
“Seussical JR. is a rhyming, rolling, colorful, heartfelt bonanza!” said Director Chelsea Otterness. “You can expect an otherworldly playful set, and a committed cast who are making many of the directing and production decisions, inspired by their limitless creativity and research. Our costumes will deck the halls with so much character and style!”
“Our middle school is full of energy,” Otterness continued, “and we cast the show in a way that lets every student explore and express that energy. At the beginning of the school year, every student shared an acapella song in front of the whole middle school. This year was so magical—it set the tone for confidence and trust in one another, living our course slogan, ‘safe to be brave.’”
Courage and resilience are themes 8th grader, Eli Kayne, explored in preparation for his role as JoJo.
“I’m playing Jojo, and to prepare I’ve been watching different productions to see how other actors bring the character to life. I want to give Jojo a lot of energy and WHOness—the feeling of being a small person in a big world, trying to survive. Jojo is the son of the Mayor and he really believes anything is possible. I connect with that because I think you can do anything if you put your mind to it—even if sometimes it’s not literally possible, like jumping into the clouds, unless you had a jetpack!”
“What’s cool about Jojo is his imagination,” Eli continued. “Everyone keeps telling him not to think, but he thinks anyway. I can relate because I’m small and people sometimes doubt what I can do, but like Jojo, I find ways to push through. He’s different from other Whos because of his creativity, and I think that’s important. If everyone had the same ideas, the world would be boring. Jojo reminds me that being yourself is the best thing you can be.”
Ryan Henderson, who plays the Cat in the Hat, brings his energy and style to the iconic character, and celebrates the imaginative world inspired by the Cat’s creativity.
In his best British accent, Ryan shared, “I’m playing the Cat in the Hat. To prepare, I go through my script every night, practicing all my lines. I try to bring as much energy as possible, and I love using improv—it keeps the character fun and unpredictable.”
“What’s exciting about the Cat is how much imagination he has. I used to have a wild imagination when I was younger, and even though it’s faded a little, I get to step back into that mindset on stage. The Cat is a force of nature with no rules. If I imagine Horton as a flying pig, then in my world, that’s exactly what happens. He shows the value of a free imagination, where even a bathtub can be an ocean,” said Henderson.
Wyatt Jordan is learning how to have a “Horton mentality”–caring for others and staying true to oneself–in preparing for his role as Horton the Elephant.
“I’m playing Horton, and I’ve been preparing by listening to the musical’s playlist and singing along with my parts. I also try to think with a ‘Horton mentality’: ‘no one gets left behind,’ and ‘a person is a person no matter how small.’ That line really stands out to me, because it’s true—no matter your role in society, you still matter. If more people lived that way, the world would be a lot more equal, without such a strong class system.”
“What I find most interesting about Horton,” Wyatt continued, “is that everyone in the world seems to be against him, but he never lets go of what he believes. That inspires me, because it reminds me not to change my beliefs just to make other people happy.”
Wyatt shared that he thinks Suessical JR. is a great choice for MMS because “it’s fun and lighthearted, but it also teaches important lessons about being a better person. Horton goes through struggles,” Jordan said, “people don’t believe him, he gets bullied—but in the end, Horton proves that kindness, belief, and standing up for what’s right really matter.”
Naya Melton talked about unleashing her inner “girl-boss” confidence both as Mrs. Mayor and as the student choreography lead for the production.
“I’m playing Mrs. Mayor, and I’m preparing by really trying to embody her. She might just be ‘the mayor’s wife,’ but I want her to feel like a girl boss—an equal partner with the Mayor, working together,” said Naya.
“What I love about this role is that I also get to be the choreography lead. That gives me a lot of freedom and makes me feel connected to the show in a special way. I’ve been listening to the songs, brainstorming, and watching other productions to gather ideas.”
“Seussical JR. is such a fun show—it’s not super serious, it’s all about make-believe,” said Melton. “You really get to step into a different character, which is what acting is about. Some people might feel embarrassed about being so ‘in character,’ but I think it’s exciting. I also want to help my castmates, especially the younger kids, by setting a good example—whether it’s with choreography or just stepping confidently into a role.”
Anna Wren Quenelle, who plays Mayzie LaBird, resonates with her character’s bold personality, and gets to express it further in her role as the student stage direction lead.
“I love this role,” Anna Wren said. “It’s flashy, and it matches where I’m at right now. In 8th grade, I’ve grown a lot more confident. I used to be shy, but now I’m more like Mayzie—independent and bold. She’s cocky and irresponsible at times, but I think it’s fun that she knows that about herself and owns it.”
On her new responsibility as the lead student stage director, Quenelle said, “I’ve been taking notes as I watch scenes and thinking about how to guide the cast. It’s exciting to be part of the creative process from both sides—on stage as a character, and behind the scenes helping shape the whole production. I know it’s going to be really satisfying to see the final product come together and to feel proud of what we’ve created.”
Big or small, short or tall–quiet or loud, shy or proud–Seussical JR. is sure to inspire creativity, indulge the imagination, and touch the heart no matter what kind of WHO you are!
Seussical JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 (212) 541-4684, mtishows.com.
