The Whidbey Playhouse’s stage turned into Dr. Seuss’ nonsensical mind for the season’s grand finale, mixing bright colors, tongue-twisting songs and acrobatic wonders to create the ultimate sugar rush on steroids experience.
“Seussical,” directed by daughter and father duo Shelby and Matt Montoya, runs Fridays July 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays July 20 and 27 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 21 and 28 at 2:30 p.m.
This musical comedy combines different stories from Dr. Seuss’ books, including “Horton Hears a Who!” “Getrude McFuzz” and “Horton Hatches the Egg.”
According to Shelby Montoya, the story is about friendship, love and self-acceptance, and it can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, especially children. Seussical has a special place in Motoya’s heart, as it was the first time she had performed at the Playhouse back in 2009.
While it was a massive flop when it debuted on Broadway in 2000, it became a popular show among schools and community theaters around the country.
With a cast of nearly 60 actors in the most colorful costumes, it’s easy to feel transported to Whoville and the Jungle of Nool.
The plot follows Horton (played by Ray Graham Ray), a lovable and caring elephant who discovers the existence of a whole world contained in a speck of dust. This impossibly tiny place is inhabited by the Whos, whom he chooses to protect at the cost of facing ridicule, getting kidnapped and risking getting boiled alive.
The misadventures of Horton and the Jungle of Nool are brought to life by JoJo (Sullivan Ray), a child whose imagination gets him sent to military school. As he laments his loneliness in the universe, Horton hears him sing and the two connect despite being a universe apart.
Ethan Johnson (who plays the Cat in the Hat) recommends audiences to pay close attention to the stage as the story unfolds, as it’s easy to get a little lost. To Hadley McCulloch, the energetic choreographies and upbeat songs make the show a fun watch even when the story gets confusing.
“It captures Dr. Seuss’s books very well because of its shapes and bright colors,” she said. “I bet it would be really fun to watch as a little kid.”
McCulloch plays The Sour Kangaroo, or “the drama queen of the jungle” who enjoys tormenting Horton along with her little but fierce sidekick, Baby Kangaroo (played by Lielle Kestenbaum).
Dana Rivo plays the flamboyantly selfish Mayzie Labird, whose songs remind her of the sultriness of “Chicago” but in a child-friendly and hilarious fashion.
To Rivo, the show is a trip down memory lane, bringing her back to the days of sitting on the library’s rainbow carpet, listening to a reading of a Dr. Seuss book.
“It’s everyone’s childhood over again,” she said.
Snatch a seat for this wacky dream that will make your smile beebity-beam, and visit whidbeyplayhouse.com for more information.
The Bird Girls. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Cat in the Hat (Ethan Johnson) is Seussical’s charismatic narrator. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Horton the Helephant (Ray Graham Ray) listens to Mayzie Labird (Dana Rivo) complain about having to take care of her egg. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Every year, the Grinch (Cora Fix) directs a Christmas pageant for the community in Whoville. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Horton the Elephant (Ray Graham Ray) was kidnapped and is now the latest attraction at the circus for being the world’s only nesting elephant. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
The Things (Julia Hendrix, Addison Horrobin and Aria Kestenbaum) spoil the flamboyant Mayzie Labird. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
Ashley Mendoza (Gertrude McFuzz) plays the ukulele. Gertrude is a bird with one feather on her tail, and she falls in love with Horton. To win his heart, she finds a way to grow more feathers. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
