The classic stories of Dr. Seuss will be brought to life as the Stained Glass Theatre debuts “Seussical” beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Mary Alexander, who is directing the show along with Laurie Janeczko, said the local theater has never performed this musical re-telling of Seuss’ well-known tales, though it’s something that had been discussed since Alexander first saw the show six years ago.
“I was really blown away by the life-affirming message of ‘a person’s a person no matter how small,’” she said. “We had talked about it and, six years later, we decided finally to do it. It’s a big play for a relatively smaller stage, so we had to put a lot of thought into how to make that work.”
The show includes about 30 cast members, from children to adults, plus 10 crew members, making it a larger than normal show for the small theater, Alexander said.
“Seussical” has the Cat in the Hat telling the story of Horton, the elephant who comes across the Whos in a speck of dust and takes on the challenge of protecting the minuscule creatures. Alexander said the show will be a hit with anyone who is a fan of Dr. Seuss, his “whimsical ways and really positive messages.”
“It is for all ages, it’s a lot of fun, very colorful,” Alexander said, noting the musical takes elements from many different Dr. Seuss tales. “There’s a lot of fun music and fun choreography.”
Alexander said the show is perfect for families with children or even a just a couple looking for an evening out.
“It’s kind of a play that meets both of those entertainment goals,” she said. “It’s a great environment.”
The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday through Aug. 2, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays through Aug. 3. Tickets are $9 each, with exception for the show tonight, which will have tickets for $7 each. As of Tuesday, Alexander said there were a few tickets left for opening night.
Though reservations are not required, Alexander said it’s encouraged to guarantee a seat for the show. The theater has open seating and doors open about 30 minutes before the performance. To reserve a seat, call the theater at 573-634-5313.