Seussical the Musical Jr.

Michael Hansberry-The Auburn Villager Rehearsal

From Cat in the Hat, to Sour Kangaroo; from Green Eggs and Ham, to Cindy Lou Who. These characters and more came together yesterday for the debut of the Auburn Area Community Theater's "Seussical the Musical Jr.," an adaptatation of "Seussical the Musical," a fusion of some of Dr. Seuss' most famous books and stories that appeared on Broadway.

This is only the second musical the local theater company has put on since its establishment in 2004. The first, "Fiddler on the Roof," was such a success they had to do it again.

Elementary, middle and high school kids hold the major roles in the musical, but it took the help of a community to put on a play of this extent.

Large red and white hats, pastel-colored sets, dazzling purple shoes and a strong sense of harmony filled the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Saturday as rehearsals and set construction for the play came to a close.

Parents of children in the play were required to donate at least three hours of their time to building and painting sets. Cold temperatures and monotone gray skies did not stop anyone from coming out to finish the job.

"This is a unique activity in that this has a different feel to it because theater people come together and encourage each other," says Andrea Holmes, "Drama Queen" and president of the theater company's board of directors. "There's a camaraderie and fellowship that happen backstage."

Holmes says this particular show is in no way a serious drama, but it is fun and it encourages an activity the kids might not be getting in school or sports.

Play director Kim Hirt spent the day with cast members in a hectic setting--rehearsing with a room full of kids ages 5 through 16, full of energy and ready to sing and dance.

Children and teens scurry around, some taking their spots center stage and some talking amongst themselves, waiting on the next group to perform. They had been there since 9 a.m. perfecting their lines and routines.

"Even if it's wrong, come in strong," Hirt shouts to the ensemble before they begin their set.

Wearing an all-gray sweat suit with a rich green tee, she is calm, yet assertive--keeping the room of more than 30 people surprisingly relaxed.

"Pay attention because this should take five minutes, not 20," she says to a group of kids who are portraying fish in the play.

After they rehearse the song "It's Possible," Hirt gathers the next group for their performance.

"I need my Whos back," she says, looking around the room.

Alexander Strikland, who plays the mayor of Whoville, says he is excited to be a part of a play this amazing, although it almost did not happen. He wanted to audition for another play, but was talked into being in the musical.

"I'm a little nervous about opening night, but that usually makes it better," Strikland says. "I go home and read my lines over and over to memorize them. Ms. Kim really pushes us to be in character all the time."

Strikland says he mastered the role of the mayor by just knowing the character and its motivation and what he is trying to do in the scene.

"It's great to see these kids come together to be a part of a community event," Hirt says. "They really bond with each other."

The crew rehearsed three days a week--Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays--amidst their homework and other extracurricular activities.

Not five feet away in the next room over, mothers are painting the sets pastel-colored blues, purples and greens, with the sets being assembled in yet another room.

"We're just worker bees," says one parent, saying she has "no artistic ability."

"We know nothing," she says playfully while painting. The other women in the room chuckle.

The woman says she and her daughter saw "Seussical" in Atlanta and loved it, so they were dieing to be a part of it now.

Set designer Cora Connelly, who used to do community theater in Texas, brought the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss to life.

She too says she is grateful for all the help she has gotten from Auburn and surrounding communities. She says she woke up that morning a little stressed about getting everything done by deadline, but once she saw the turnout, she felt more comfortable with everything.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn how to be a part of theater," Connelly says. "It's neat how a lot of different people in the community have come together. And this also an opportunity for people to learn about and contribute to theater."

The set builders in the main room are hard at work. Fathers are nailing, drilling and piecing everything together .

Holmes' son is outside nailing sets together with a compressor that is loud enough to be heard inside the building, but its shrilling sound doesn't seem to distract anyone, not even the man who quickly hurries past, carrying colored feather boas to the rehearsal room.

"It's really amazing to see how the different ages come together to create this amazing thing," Hirt says.

Last week was Dr. Seuss' birthday, and this month is the annual "Read Across Auburn" initiative which emphasizes the importance of reading and also highlights Dr. Seuss.

"So this was meant to be," Hirt says.

"Seussical the Musical Jr." performances will be today at 6:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at the same time, with a family night performance Monday, March 8, also at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, ($6 on family night) and $6 for students and seniors. Children under 3 are free.

The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center is located at 222 E. Drake Ave, across from the Auburn Post Office.

To make reservations to see the Cat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and others, e-mail aactreservations@gmail.com or call Kim Hirt at (801) 851-0258.