Local actors Anna Clark and Corey Yeaman appear in “Seussical.”
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GREENFIELD – Audiences will enter Dr. Seuss’ world of color, music and imagination in the family-friendly community production of “Seussical.”
Curtains opened on the Ricks-Weil Theatre Company’s musical production May 20, and the show runs through June 5 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in downtown Greenfield.
The musical’s feel-good message of acceptance is exactly what the world needs right now, says Director/Producer Beth Ray-Scott, and the show has something for everyone in the family.
“The kids will get a kick out of seeing the characters, and the story is great for adults,” she said. “One of the songs is called ‘Alone in the Universe’ and how no one is really alone. That’s one reason I picked the show. It’s a sweet piece; it’s a message of acceptance and right now we need that.”
Audiences will see literature favorites from The Cat in the Hat, to Horton, to the Grinch. Horton the elephant’s discovery of Whoville on a tiny speck of dust is interwoven with characters from several other stories in the musical that debuted in 2000, Ray-Scott said.
While children will enjoy the characters and stories, adults will appreciate adult humor woven throughout the show, she said. It’s a welcome change from the last two adult productions of the local theater company, she said, which included “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
Jeremy Crouch portrays Dr. Seuss’ elephant Horton in the production of “Seussical” at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts.
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Local actors Jeremy Crouch, AJ Springman, Amber Pedigo and Wyatt Schonfeld take to the stage in “Seussical” in downtown Greenfield.
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Tori Adler and Corey Yeaman portray Dr. Seuss characters in the Ricks-Weil Theatre Company’s production of “Seussical.”
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Ray-Scott founded Ricks-Weil in 2009 and the company has produced about 20 plays or musicals in the last 13 years. “Seussical” stands out, she said, not only for its feel-good message but also for the fun costumes of creatures and animals. The cast also includes two junior high students, as well as a pit orchestra featuring two local high school music teachers.
“It’s music almost all the way through,” she said. “There’s very little speaking.”
The program for the production even includes a place for autographs, Ray-Scott said, and cast members will mingle in character after the event to sign the programs of young Dr. Seuss fans.
“I wanted to get back to something that’s family friendly,” she said. “It’s a different concept but the music is very good and the story is great.”
