Seussical the Musical

“You make ‘em, I amuse ‘em.”
- Dr. Seuss

The first book that I remember reading was a Dr. Seuss story called “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.”  How I loved that book!  I kept checking it out over and over again.  Of course, I was 25 at the time and the people at the library were getting a bit concerned about me but that’s another story.
Seriously though. I’m a kid at heart.
I loved Dr. Seuss as a child. The rhyme of the words, the strange creatures and worlds that he created, and the simple short stories will keep them classics to be read to the end of time.
Well, the Central Kentucky Community Theatre’s Scott and Jan Fattizzi and their entourage of 28 junior actors from the Bluegrass Kids section are going to knock your socks off with “Seussical the Musical.”
This extravaganza of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, stories and songs came back just in time for Christmas.  This is a show for all the family from two to 102 that will bring a smile to your face and a quickening of your pace.
The 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 guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes “his kind and his powerful heart.” Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant, in a story that makes you laugh and cry.
I recently interviewed eight of their veteran actors from the Bluegrass Kids that age from five to 11.  You might think veteran is a bit extravagant a word to use for kids but then you would be wrong.  These eight kids have a total of 36 years of experience acting in these local Fattizzi productions.
Yep, that’s 36 YEARS!
I started talking with Mary Medley who is 10 and has five years working in plays.  She will be playing Mayzie. Mary’s all time favorite role has been playing Mollie in the musical Annie.
Maddy Sagrecy, at nine, loves the singing and dancing that comes with these shows.  She’s been a part of these productions for four years.  Maddy says that everyone has such a good time working together.
Gracie Graves is 11 and has six years experience.  She said her friends got her in this program and she loves to sing and dance.  Gracie enjoys the chance to be “someone else” when she performs in these plays.
Joshua Curtsinger is nine and has two years experience.  He loves country music and loves to sing.  He’ll be playing the Cat in the Hat this time out.
Kendall Tirabasso has a little over four years in the Bluegrass Kids.  She said she doesn’t get nervous performing in front of people and enjoys the congratulations given by the audience after a show.  She did not have singing lessons before and just knew it would be fun to become a part of this theatre group.
Peyton Young will also be playing the Cat in the Hat and has three years experience.  She heard about the theatre in school and felt she was up for it.  Peyton says that she has no problem memorizing lines for the show and that anyone wanting to become a part of the theatre program will have fun.
Caroline Ball is eleven and has six years of acting behind her.  She loves to sing and said her mom told her she had a good voice.  She loves Taylor Swift and slow country songs.  Caroline says she has a full day when you add school, theatre, and dance classes together.  Her favorite part has been Chip the Teacup in Beauty and the Beast.
 Finally, you have Mary Claire Hughes, who at nine has a total of almost five years experience on stage.  Mary told me that she always has fun and is happy to be in theatre.  She will be playing Horton the Elephant.  Her favorite role has been the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.  
(Writer’s note:  Mary is the sister of the late Iraq war hero Sergeant Adam Hughes of Lebanon.  A road was named in his honor in Marion County.)
Now here is something that I bet you never thought of concerning theatre.  I didn’t either until Caroline mentioned it to me when I was talking with her.  She said that she did have trouble memorizing lines when she first came to the program here in Springfield.
You know why?
Because at five she couldn’t read yet.
Caroline, and most of the kids I talked with, started doing this program before they could read.  How the heck do Jan and Scott Fattizzi produce so many great shows when some of the kids aren’t able to read yet?
Amazing!
So come one and come all to the best holiday pick-me-up that you will have this season to get you in the right mood for the rest of the month.
Seussical the Musical will be playing at the Opera House in Springfield on Friday and Saturday at 7 p,m., Dec. 9 and 10. It will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, on line at www.centralkytheatre.com, Springfield State Bank, Lebanon Farmer’s National Bank, or calling 859-336-5412, ext. 4.
Miss it and you’ll be sorry.
It’s not a great show.
It’s a FANTASTIC show!