Lipscomb’s theatre department is quickly crafting its next main-stage show, bringing the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to the Collins stage with Seussical.
The story, guided by the Cat in the Hat, takes much of its plot from Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who.
Deep in the jungle of Nool, an elephant named Horton stumbles across the city of Whoville located on a speck of dust. Most of the animals in the jungle think he is crazy, and many conflicts unfold as Horton and the Whos try to convince the Jungle of Nool that Whoville really exists.
The story is about friendship, acceptance and sticking to your word during hard circumstances.
Kari Smith, an adjunct theatre and dance professor, is directing and choreographing the show. She explained that this production has much less rehearsal time than an average show for Lipscomb.
“It’s five and a half weeks” Smith said. “For professional actors, that’s plenty, but we’re talking about students who have to go to school all day, get their homework done, have time to breathe and then go to rehearsal. It’s going to be quick, but I have a great cast. They’re all super committed and so great to work with.”
The cast and crew might be made up of students only, but they are excited for the challenge.
Elijah Wallace, a junior theatre major from Montgomery, Alabama, will be playing the role of Horton the elephant. In middle school, Wallace played the Cat in the Hat in a previous production of Seussical, but he says he has always wanted to play Horton.
“I resonate a lot with what Horton believes and what he tries to do with what he has been tasked with in the story of the show,” Wallace said. “He goes through so much terrible circumstance, and he still sticks with everything he believes no matter what happens to him. I have always striven to live that way in every way I can even when things seem grim and pointless. I look up to Horton, and I’m glad I can show an audience how this story is so special in its own way.”
Sarah Zanotti, a junior musical theatre major from Cleveland, Ohio, is playing Gertrude McFuzz, a humble bird with a one-feathered tail who is friends with Horton. Zanotti notes that there is no small part in the show. Each cast member is an integral part of the story.
“This show is driven by ensemble and each individual shines,” Zanotti said. “We all get a chance to be silly, imaginative, heartwarming Dr. Seuss characters. Everyone brings something special and unique from his or her own imagination to this show. We get to make it our own.”
Seussical will run at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, 14 and 20, and at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 22 in Collins Alumni Auditorium. Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for faculty and $5 for students.
Photo Courtesy of Department of Theatre