Photo Flash: Repertory Philippines Opens SEUSSICAL, 8/13-12/11

Manila, Philippines, August 14, 2011 -- Repertory Philippines (Little Women, Equus), the country's premier English-language theater company, opened its five-month run of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahren's Tony Award-nominated children's musical, Seussical, yesterday at the Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.  The musical runs until December 11.

Seussical assembles an amalgamation of American writer Theodor Seuss Geisel's whimsical, far-out and unconventional characters from children's books The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, Yertle the Turtle and other Dr. Seuss books.

Its story centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge -- not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg that the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird left in his care. Although Horton faces ridicule, a kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes "his kind and powerful heart." Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and rewarded. - Music Theatre International

Repertory Philippines' production of Seussical features Arnel Carrion, James Stacey, Kawie Atwood, Robie Zialcita and Rem Zamora as Cat in the Hat; Oliver Usison and Nic Campos as Horton; Noah Ramos, Nacio Samonte, Alessa Zialcita and Nicolle Cojuangco as Jojo; Cara Barredo, Charity Grace and Giannina Ocampo as Gertrude McFuzz; Liesl Batucan, Naths Everett and Kyla Rivera as Mayzie La Bird; Bituin Escalante, Pinky Marquez and Ampy Sietereales as Sour Kangaroo; Robie Zialcita, Raul Montesa and Onyl Torres as Mayor; and Naths Everett, Ampy Sietereales and Pinky Marquez as Mrs. Mayor.

Joy Virata, Repertory Philippines' former associate artistic director, directs Seussical.

For more information and tickets, call (632) 571-6926 or visit http://repertory.ph.

Photos by Jory Rivera