Contributed by Tessa Holden
Nakusp Secondary School students will be presenting the musical Seussical on Wednesday January 19 and Friday January 21. Seussical, written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, is a new musical based on many of Dr. Seuss’ stories. The Cat in the Hat meets Jojo, the boy, onstage, and together they discover where Jojo’s imagination can create a new world to explore the importance of each person, “no matter how small.”
Seussical features Helen De Wit as the Cat in the Hat, Rowan Greger as Horton the elephant, and Nonni Charles-Lundaahl as Jojo, the boy. Riley McCormack plays Gertrude, Hailey McLeod plays Mayzie, and Sean Harper and Bailey Henschke play Mr. and Mrs. Mayor.
Suitable for all ages, Seussical combines a vibrant story line and costuming with a beautiful and difficult score; familiar characters engage the audience in a mature theme. According to the authors, “Dr. Seuss believes in helping a friend, in not giving up, in keeping a promise. He believes in the value and dignity of others, in working to preserve the fragile sweetness of the natural world, and he believes that peace is the ultimate ideal, among nations and in every heart. He also believes in the pure power of the imagination. You will find all these serious concerns at the heart of Seussical.”
NSS musical theatre students are accompanied by the NSS band as well as musicians from the community. The show will be performed at the Nakusp Arena Auditorium at 7 p.m. both evenings. Ticket prices are $5 student, $8 adult, $20 family (up to five).