Oh, the places you’ll go!
‘Seussical’ runs Feb. 17 – 26, bringing the imaginative stories of Dr. Seuss to life at the Tower Theater through a musical the whole family can enjoy
I HEAR A WHO — The musical brings the works of Dr. Seuss to life to share a positive message.
Photo Credit: Amber Tiller
Perhaps some of the fondest childhood memories of college-aged millennials are the vibrant stories written by Dr. Seuss.
The Liberty University student body can relive those memories as the theater arts department brings the legendary rhymes to life.
The department’s first full-length academic performance of “Seussical: The Musical” debuts Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tower Theater.
The production features a number of beloved characters created by Seuss, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and Mayzie La Bird.
Even the Grinch stops by for a cameo.
“It’s a very life-affirming show,” Chris Nelson, associate professor of theater arts and Seussical director, said.
“It brings out the joy of the imagination.”
Imagination is the very thematic element each scene and song alludes to as the audience journeys with the cast to places such as Circus McGurkus and the hidden world of the Whos.
But for patrons who have seen Seussical performed elsewhere, the production is a bit different than one might expect.
According to Nelson, the production’s artistic development team has taken the original content of the show, which has been aimed more specifically toward a child audience, and reworked it in a way that communicates the depth, complexity and humanity that is implicitly found in many of Dr. Seuss’s stories.
“It’s a story within a story,” Nelson said.
“It (emphasizes) the importance of the imagination being expressed in a positive way in a way that builds up other people and communicates something deeper.”
For student actors such as Shelby Mason, a theater arts performance major acting out the role of Mayzie La Bird, that emphasis is enriching on a spiritual level.
“I’m reminded (by Seussical) of how important it is to maintain a childlike state in our faith,” Mason said.
“Children let their imaginations run wild with no fear of speaking up or worry of what people will think.”
Acting and performing through song and dance since age 9, Mason feels confident that theater is a ministry she has been called to.
“I know that I’m meant to be a light in an industry that’s usually very dark,” Mason said.
“It’s a unique ministry.”
Nearly all of the 57-member cast and crew find some kind of inspiration and meaning within the musical.
Brandon Yoder, who performs one of the center-stage roles as The Cat in the Hat, said he is particularly inspired by the opening number “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think.”
The song is derived from the Dr. Seuss book of the same title and reminds Yoder of another story: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”
“It’s so much more than just a children’s book,” Yoder said.
“It opens your imagination to follow your dreams and callings — God’s plan for your life.”
In addition to standard performances, “Seussical: The Musical” will also have a talkback performance, which concludes with an open Q&A with Nelson, set and costume designers and selected actors.
The talkback will follow the 7:30 p.m. show Saturday, Feb. 18. It is free of charge and open to students and the public alike, regardless of whether they attended the production.
The final show, Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m., will be American Sign Language
interpreted.
“It’s cool … how the art we create can be displayed for all kinds of people,” Yoder said.
“They can still partake and understand it even if they can’t hear what we’re singing or saying.”
Set designs, costume designs and post-show events have been in the works since fall.
Next to come to the stage will be “She Stoops to Conquer,” a comedic performance debuting after spring break, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” by the Alluvion Stage Company.
“I think (the theater arts department) is very ambitious for wanting to do so many shows in such a small amount of time,” Mason said.
The cast and crew of “Seussical: The Musical” promise an all-ages show that will leave families wanting more.
“No one in the audience is going to leave without a tune stuck in their head,” Yoder said.
For tickets and show time details, students can check out the Theater Arts webpage or call the ticket office at (434) 582-7328.