"Oh, the thinks you can think" and "When your thinks have run dry, in the blink of an eye there's another think there!".
The fantastical musical extravaganza Seussical Jr. being performed this weekend at H.H. Wells Middle School tells a story of friendship, loyalty and community with the Cat in the Hat as narrator and Seussician characters such as Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo, Wickersham Brothers, Bird Girls, Sour Kangaroo, Judge Yertle the Turtle, The Grinch, and of course The Whos.
There are 50 cast members and 20 stage crew members who work everything from props to light and sound. Auditions were held just before Thanksgiving and the cast has been rehearsing regularly since December. The special twist this year is that the three-year-old Musical Theater program is showcasing student performers who have been in successive shows.
“The leadership of our principal characters has really been amazing,” said Musical Director Daniel Milici, “It has been great to see them inspire our newer cast members by modeling exemplary work ethic, commitment, and passion.”
The show is perfect for the middle school set–there are lots of great parts, colorful costumes and sets, familiar characters and tongue twisting Seussical lines that don’t disappoint.
“It’s an exciting and fun play and everyone gets to work together and express themselves through their character,” said seventh grader Grace Cresswell who is playing Mr. Mayer.
“The show builds a really good community with lots of fun parts,” added Emma DeLacruz who is playing the part of Jo-Jo.
On Wednesday the cast and crew put on preview shows for the younger students in the district including the Univsersal Pre-K students who “absolutely loved it.” Wednesday night the understudy cast knocked it out of the park with a friends-and-family show.
“Having an understudy show this year has been a game changer. It gave more students the opportunity to perform and sickness is always a problem, so you never know when the understudy will be called up on opening night,” said Milici.
The show will open this Friday night at 7 pm at H.H. Wells Middle School Auditorium with performances on Saturday March 8th at 2 pm and 7 pm. To get tickets scan the QR code or visit Brewsterschools.org.
Break a leg WMS. Or as Horton says, “And oh, the places you'll go! You're on your own, you know what you know, don't worry about how fast or how slow! Be certain you step with caution and tact, 'cause life is one great big balancing act! And will you succeed? You will, yes indeed!
