Young People’s Theatre – Seussical

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Seussical
Music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Ahrens and Flaherty (based on Dr. Seuss)
Directed by Allen MacInnis
Performed by Damien Atkins, George Masswohl, Jane Johanson, Nichola Lawrence, Sharron Matthews and Jennifer Villaverde
Young People’s Theatre
Nov. 7 to Dec. 30, 2011

On the adage of better late than never, I caught the musical Seussical at Young People’s Theatre and it’s a charmer.

YPT is reviving the production that had a successful run in 2006, and the show can still pack in the crowds. This is a junior version of the Broadway musical and it’s just perfect for little people.

The main point is that Dr. Seuss wrote his children’s book with messages about social justice. The kids can only learn good things from his stories and this is no exception. The main plot concerns Horton the elephant, who protects the tiny Who population against all odds.

YPT attracts the best actors, and this cast is particularly rich with George Masswohl as Horton and Damien Atkins as Cat in the Hat who functions as narrator. All the dialogue is in rhyming couplets which is delicious, and the songs are an absolute delight.

This show is adorable.

Seussical continues at Theatre until Dec. 30