“What’s Seussical?" asked Sean Merz, a staff member at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (OHCHS).
Kyle Jordan, one of the producers helping to put together Seussical answers this question.
A “Seussical is a musical based on Dr. Seuss’ characters and settings to tell a story of community among other values,” Jordan explains. He and many others have been bringing the community of students and staff at OHCHS and Oxford Hills locals together to put on a biennial musical.
“We have never repeated a show, in the 40 years we have been doing this,” says Jennifer St. Pierre, co-producer of the show and an alumni of OHCHS. Pierre has performed in many shows herself in the past.
“Traditionally putting on Broadway shows, this year’s Seussical is a departure from that Broadway community and an introduction to something new. This day and age community theater is going down and struggling to find an audience due to electronic media, and all the other entertainment available. So finding Seussical was perfect in the aspect of it's not just for one audience. It’s for all ages. Children, young adults, and adults, the whole family will love it,” explains Director Andy Turner, who is local to the community of Oxford Hills.
“This year’s play will bring all this together with the story told by the Cat and the Hat of Horton, who finds ‘who’ on a speck of dusk. After the event of meeting each other Horton must face a few challenges. Along with the story is music from modern day, including a beautiful ballad, and even an Aretha Franklin-esque song. This is going to be a funky and colorful play. I don’t expect it to be anything less than amazing,” says Jordan.
Because this isn’t a normal school production, the whole community of Oxford Hills is allowed to audition for any role in which they would like to partake.
“With Seussical, it’s no ordinary play. It’s a community event,” St. Pierre adds.
“These musicals we put on show the talent of locals around the community of Oxford. Our community is unique. We have eight towns and the arts of acting, singing, dancing and writing come from a long history of artistic talent. The only way that happens is through the support of the community,” says Turner.
“Let’s continue the tradition. Come to the show and support the people around you. We hope you see you all there,” adds Turner.
Seussical will make its opening day debut on March 28. Show times are 7:30 P.M. on Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th, then again for a final matinee at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday the 30th. All shows are performed at OHCHS. Tickets are $12 for children and adults, $10 for seniors and students of OHCHS. All tickets are available at Books N’ Things in Norway.
