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| Written by Meagan Robertson - Argonaut | ||||||
| Tuesday, 08 April 2008 | ||||||
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In the past, Broadway performers delighted while the audience sat, taking on roles as Horton, the Whos and the Cat in the Hat. Now the Regional Theatre of the Palouse will bring “Seussical the Musical” to their new theater venue today. The show will run until April 19. “‘Seussical’ played on Broadway and then went on the road, playing cities across America for a few years. This will be the first time ‘Seussical’ has been produced in this area,” said John Rich, Artistic Director for the Regional Theatre of the Palouse. With a cast of 22 performers, ranging in ages from 6 to 50, and six weeks of rehearsals, “Seussical the Musical” opened on Thursday night in the all-new RTOP Theatre in Pullman. “As Artistic Director for Regional Theatre of the Palouse, I am very excited to open our new theater with this production,” Rich said. “The RTOP theatre is located in the heart of the historical downtown district of Pullman, right around the corner from Rico’s. We have designed it after a turn of the 20th Century theater.” Rich said that the show is based on American classic children’s stories, with loveable characters and a wonderful musical score that ranges from Gospel and jazz to traditional musical theater ballads. “This musical is not only for children, but audiences of all ages,” Rich said. “There are many levels to the works of Dr. Seuss. I hope our patrons sit back, enjoy our new venue, and the Broadway musical ‘Seussical.’” The show includes many of Dr. Seuss’ classic characters, including Horton and the Whos, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Yertle the Turtle and Mayzie La Bird. Brittany Isaacson, who will be playing Gertrude McFuzz, said the show combines Dr. Seuss’ work in a fantastic way. “It combines everything so well that you think it’s just one story,” she said. Isaacson said Rich has such an imagination and that there’s a great variety of actors playing all of these crazy characters. “John Rich has an imagination like a little kid’s,” Isaacson said. “He can just pull people into a story and then the cast really knows what they’re doing, and they interpret it so well. When I watch rehearsals I’m captivated by this show and the story,” Isaacson said. Isaacson said that this will be a great show for everyone to see, young and old. “Everyone can benefit from this show and enjoy it,” she said. “It’s a really fun time, and there are some great messages that you get from it.” Dustin Larsen, who will play one of the two Cat in the Hats, said that the show is perfect for adults and children, but that the older audience will get something more than fun and games. “This show is geared towards adults, and it really shows that life isn’t all about the flashy things, it’s actually more simple,” Larsen said. Larsen said that his character of the Cat in the Hat is really fun and random, and that throughout the show he gets to do many different things and that it allows him to play many different roles. “The Cat in the Hat is the host of the show, and he pops up randomly throughout the course of the show. I am an auctioneer, a captain of a sailboat, and all sorts of different things,” he said. Larsen, who works at a daycare in Pullman, said he kept the kids he works with in his mind when he developed his character. Larsen said he hopes the show will bring people back into viewing live theater. “Live theater is so different from TV and movies. It’s a unique experience, and you’re right there in it and experiencing it,” Larsen said. Tina McClure, who will be playing the role of Mayzie La Bird as well as working as the show’s musical director, she said will be her 10th show she’s worked on with Rich, and that they have an incredible friendship, which helped make them a great team when they put together the show. “Crazy artistic minds think alike you know,” she said. McClure said that she loves performing, and she hopes that people will enjoy the show as much as she has enjoyed the process. “The cast and crew are absolutely amazing,” McClure said. “They have worked extremely hard, especially those who have been double cast in roles.” McClure said she doesn’t think anyone learned to read without picking up a Dr. Seuss book. Being in the show has brought back memories of her mother reading to her and later being able to read the books herself. “Seussical brings to life the characters I know and love. Of course I’m nothing like Mayzie La Bird, except the eccentric part, but she is a real hoot to play,” she said. “John Rich is an amazing director, and the costume designer Jen Knowles has created a fabulous image for people to see.” She said the show is for all-ages and all imaginations. “There is something for everyone, and everyone will get something different from watching the show. That is the really beauty of theater,” McClure said.  Add as favorites (74) | Views: 743
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