“HOW LUCKY YOU ARE” TO SEE SEUSSICAL
No one does youth and family theater better in the Bay Area than The Berkeley Playhouse. Everything they offer features classic and family friendly shows performed by talented ensemble actors of all ages. Even the young child performers can sing and dance to choreographed numbers with heart and passion. The Rep’s latest offering, just in time for the Holiday Season, is Seussical, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical based on Dr. Seuss’s best-known and most-loved stories, featuring the cat from The Cat In the Hat and Horton the big-hearted elephant from Horton Hears a Who (first published in 1954!). Jenna Forder‘s bright and multilevel pastel colored set serves as the Jungle of Nool, the Circus McGurkus and later the invisible world of the Who’s.
The company of Seussical
Top: Junia Martens, Lou Cooper, Marisa Cozart, Alicia "Ash" Hurtado, Emery Cozart, Sam Canny
Bottom: Danny Cozart, Astro Camacho, Nathan Bennett-Crump, Daniel Barash, and Lev Jacobs
Keenan Moran (Jojo) and Stephen Kanaski (Cat in the Hat)
The mirthful and somewhat duplicitous Cat in the Hat (played with charmed perfection by Stephen Kanaski) is telling a story with a moral to young Jojo (played with cute and wide-eyed innocence by Keenan Moran). Jojo has been sent to military school for thinking too many thoughts. In the Jungle of Nool, the villagers sing and dance, chastising Horton the Elephant (Christian Arteaga). He’s discovered a speck of dust that he insists contains the world of the Whos in the village they live in: Who-ville. They need safety and protection from the much bigger world. Since no one else can see or hear them, it becomes Horton’s job to try to convince people of their existence.
No'eau Kahalekulu (Gertrude McFuzz)
The story is told through Leslie Waggoner exuberant, beautifully executed dances and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s delightful songs in a mélange of Broadway musical styles (Latin, pop, swing, gospel, R&B and funk).Songs are taken from the Seuss books: “Oh The Thinks You Can Think” and “How Lucky You Are” are among my favorites. The ensemble cast of villagers in Lisa Claybaugh‘s brightly colored outfits with misshapen hats and shoes are positively joyful, passionate, and infectious popping out from holes or behind the scenery.
Christian Arteaga (Horton the Elephant) and Emery Cozart
Nico Jaochico & Sydney Jacobs Allen (Wickersham Brother), Solona Husband (Sour Kangaroo), and Genie Tjahjadi, Brielle Deshee, and Sidney McNulty (Bird Girl)
Christian Arteaga (Horton the Elephant)
Other familiar characters are featured as well. Gertrude McFuzz (No’Eau Kahalekulu) is Horton’s sole defender, while Mayzie La Bird (Andrea Rae) adds to Horton’s burden by saddling him with the responsibility of sitting on her egg. Young Jojo is also the son of Who-ville’s Mr. & Mrs. Mayor (Alicia “Ash” Hurtado as Mr. Mayor; Marisa Cozart as Mrs. Mayor) and is counting on Horton to rescue his village. Keenan Moran (alternating with Colette Goodman in the role of Jojo) has a remarkably powerful voice and has us rooting for him as the emotional center of the show. Kanaski’s Cat, of course, plays both sides of the fence, loving all the mischief — some of which he instigates himself.
Andrea Rae (Mayzie La Bird)
The story and rhyming wordplay are simply enchanting, and how wonderful to attend a show enjoyed by all ages. Kids introduced to the fabulous world and imagination of Dr. Seuss will be thrilled, while adults will be reminded of the storytelling genius who had an impact on their lives. As a young actor, Director William Thomas Hodgson played The Cat in the Hat in the first production put on by The Berkeley Playhouse. The joy he has working with the young cast is apparent throughout.
Danny Cozart (General Genghis Khan Schmitz)
Alicia "Ash" Hurtado (Mr. Mayor), Marisa Cozart (Mrs. Mayor), and Keenan Moran (Jojo)
Christian Arteaga (Horton the Elephant) and No'eau Kahalekulu (Gertrude McFuzz)
The remainder of the Seussical adult cast is Solona Husband as Sour Kangaroo; ; Danny Cozart as General Genghis Khan Schmitz; Daniel Barash as Yertle the Turtle; Brielle Deshee, Sidney McNulty, and Genie Tjahjadi as Bird Girl; Nico Jaochico, Adam Mendez Jr., and Sydney Jacobs Allen as Wickersham Brother; and Lou Cooper as Vlad Vladikoff.
Stephen Kanaski (Cat in the Hat)
The Seussical youth cast includes two separate casts; ensemble members are Junia Martens, Astro Camacho, Eliza Dillon, Justice Brown, Nathan Bennett-Crump, Lev Jacobs, Emery Cozart, Kaylee Lopez, Tessa Shaffer, Ella Zabarsky, Nevo Naftalin-Kelman, Sam Canny, Austin Engwerda, Danica Ding, Diego Osorio and Gavin.
Genie Tjahjadi, Brielle Deshee & Sidney McNulty (Bird Girl),
Andrea Rae (Mayzie La Bird), and No'eau Kahalekulu (Gertrude McFuzz)
Christian Arteaga (Horton the Elephant) and No'eau Kahalekulu (Gertrude McFuzz)
photos by Ben Krantz Studio
Solona Husband (Sour Kangaroo)
Seussical
Berkeley Playhouse
Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. in Berkeley
Thurs at 7 (Nov. 21, Dec. 5); Fri at 7; Sat at 1; Sat at 7 (Nov. 30, Dec. 14 & 21) Sun at 2
ends on December 22, 2024
for tickets ($19-$55), call 510.845.8542, ext. 351 or visit Berkeley Playhouse
Andrea Rae (Mayzie La Bird)
