BWW Reviews: Student Stars Brilliant in Inspiration Stage's SEUSSICAL JR.

Mandy Seymore-Sensat said to me in a previous interview:

"I direct both my youth and adult shows the same way. All actors, young and old, need nurture. They need the safety to explore, they need the permission to create, they need the discipline and focus of a director who cares just as much for them as they do for the process. For me, it is not enough to just create good theatre, I strive to create GREAT theatre. But more importantly, I need to know that my actors have grown in the process, that they have learned from the experience and that their lives have been forever changed."

I got to see this principle in action at the encore, one-night-only performance of Inspiration Stage Performing Arts Studio and Theatre's production of SEUSSICAL JR.

In a sense, SEUSSICAL is formulaic pabulum. But like I formulaically say almost every review (after a eye-catching, misleading characterization of a piece - i.e. pabulum), that doesn't make it bad. It has very simple but charming themes about loyalty, being kind to all people despite difference in appearance, and staying true to yourself. It's no wonder that it's a youth theatre favorite.

The musical SEUSSICAL by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is based on a bevy of books by Dr. Seuss (mainly Horton Hears A Who!, Horton Hatches the Egg and The One-Feathered Tail of Gertrude McFuzz). The production debuted on Broadway in 2000 to tepid response then subsequently (and consequently) was reworked into the classic it is today. The classic has been further reworked into SEUSSICAL JR.

The story has many moving parts but here's the not-so-skinny: Horton the Elephant wants to protect the tiny Whos in Who-ville. (Who wouldn't? Have you heard of Cindy Lou Who?) Gertrude McFuzz wants to catch the attention of Horton, but is insecure about her small tail and envious and admiring of Mayzie LaBird with her medically-enhanced, voluminous plume. Poor Mayzie just wants freedom from her motherly responsibilities and the completely innocent (but never innocuous) Cat in the Hat only wants to cause trouble and shake things up.

Director Mandy Seymore-Sensat creates a fun, visually appealing and energetic parade of a production. On top of this, there's plenty of good singing from these well-cast, talented Broadway babies.

However, the production has its rough spots. The opening number, "Oh the Thinks you can Think", is jazz-hot but the staging is a little clunky. At times the staging was overwhelming. The musical was busy to the point of being confusing rather than pleasurable. The piece sags in the middle, being an amalgamation of A, B, and C plots, but it's still a dynamic show. There's oodles and oodles of color, sequins and shine.

"It's Possible (In McElligot's Pool)" is imaginative and dazzling. I saw a glimpse of the puppetry skill I first witnessed in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. This number alone was reason enough to see the entire show.

This was a night that was more about the singing than the dancing, which shows. Seymore-Sensat's and Blaire Bybee's choreography is simple, but it's jazz tinge provides enough interest to keep the movements from becoming boring. Olivia Goodman, Miranda Montgomery,
Claire Domenic-Smith and Abbey George provide a great dance moment as The Wickersham.

Co-music directors Jeff Sensat and Sarah Patterson coach polished, mature performances.

Davis Underwood (Horton) embodies the sensitivity, innocence and overflowing kindness of his character.

Peyton Heussner is tons of fun as the Cat in the Hat, and her wackiness and silliness is accompanied by the adorableness of Sarah Flavin as Thing 1 and Madeline Font as Thing 2.

Maddie Lucas perfectly portrays Gertrude McFuzz as the sweet and earnest girl next door. On the one hand, her vocal and acting performances are delicate, vulnerable, and sensitive. On the other hand, her voice is powerful and soaring. Lucas is accompanied by the Bird Girls (Lizzie Tyer, Alexandra Champion, Katelyn Montgomery, Reagan Scott, Ashley Fontenot, and Madeline Marlowe).

Danielle Trojano is amazing as the "amayzing" Mayzie LaBird during her performance of - wait for it - "Amayzing Mayzie." She is sultry, confident, and charismatic. She is the production's Velma Kelly.

Caden Thomas (Mr. Mayor) and Emma Jobes (Mrs. Mayor) give pitch perfect performances and successfully work with material that an adult might struggle with. Both of their performances in "How To Raise A Child" are easily among my favorite in the show. The child Mr. and Mrs. Mayor are raising is played by Addy Lee Elliott, who endows JoJo with preciousness and pluck in "It's Possible."

Rayezin Johnson (Sour Kangaroo) and Addie Doss (Baby Kangaroo). It's hard to believe Johnson is only 12; she has vocal style for days. I can't wait to see the actress she becomes. Doss has snap, snap attitude and "flava".

Christine Hernandez is Yertle The Turtle. Her brief moment as presiding judge in "The People Versus Horton the Elephant"is worth it's weight in gold.

The entire company shines in "Monkey Around/Chasing the Whos."

And the well-executed, complex, and creative light design and operation by Brianna Escobedo and costume design by Mandy Seymore-Sensat deserves a shout out.

All-in-all SEUSSICAL JR. is a wonderful display of young talent from Inspiration Stage and good theatre too.

This production is also going on the road! In January, a 15-minute selection of Inspiration Stage's SEUSSICAL JR. will travel to Atlanta to the Junior Theatre Festival. The Junior Theater Festival, created by iTheatrics and produced by the Junior Theater group, is the world's largest musical theater festival celebrating young people and the transformative power of musical theater. At last year's Junior Theater Festival, the Inspiration Stage youth troupe won an Excellence In Acting award.

Unf ortunately, the home run of SEUSSICAL JR. was one-night only. However, check out other offerings from Inspiration Stage at http://inspirationstage.com/shows.html.

Next up? INTO THE WOODS JR. from January 9-11.

Photography by Chris Dyess

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