Seussical is one musical not to be missed
Written by Linnea Donnelly
November 26, 2010


BHS production is clever and colorful


Barnstable High School’s Seussical the Musical brings life and color to the Cape Cod theatre scene. Director John Sullivan never ceases to amaze his audiences.
The storyline tells of two very unusual thinkers, Horton the Elephant and the young JoJo. Both find themselves listening to their thinks, which gets them into a bit of a pickle.
Horton, so pure of heart, finds it impossible to say no when Mayzie La Bird asks him to sit on her egg while she takes a break. Sadly, he is blind-sighted to the bird that is right in front of his eyes the entire time, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, the bird with the one-feathered tail. While keeping Mayzie’s egg safe, Horton discovers the “tiniest planet in the sky,” otherwise known as Who. The planet of Who is suffering due to its size. Horton is just “an elephant trying to save a small world.”
This production features other famous Dr. Seuss stories and characters introduced by the narrator, the famous Cat in the Hat. The Barnstable High School Drama Club represents the works of the unforgettable author in an energetic and colorful depiction.
As the play opens, the curious JoJo, played by Bobby Fitzgerald, whose singing voice makes the audience feel that they are sitting in a Broadway theater as opposed to a high school auditorium, is introduced to the Cat in the Hat, played by Jeremy Peacock. Peacock is meant to play the Cat in the Hat. His agility and comedic timing allow him to portray the many masquerades the Cat puts on as the story proceeds. Peacock is unforgettable in his role.
Horton the Elephant is played by Tommy Myers. Myers’ deep voice helps him portray the empathy of the elephant with his beautiful ballads and duets, such as “Alone in the Universe” and “Solla Sollew.”
The birds of this show each have extremely different personalities. Mayzie La Bird, played by Sara Cannistraro, is a sassy girl who just wants to have some fun. Cannistraro brings a vivacious spunk to the stage in her songs and dance numbers. Gertrude McFuzz, played by Catherine Macallister, is the shy little girl-next-door who gains a good dose of gumption by the end of the play. Macallister develops the character perfectly; her beautiful and versatile voice makes Gertrude truly loveable.
Other principal characters include the Sour Kangaroo, played by Ali Rockwell, who doubts Horton’s sanity with her feisty attitude. The Mayor of Whoville (Travis Manni) and His Wife (played by Kara Felegian) are nervous parents wanting only the best for their son JoJo, and not always sure how to get it. When performing musical numbers together they emulate their characters to a tee, decked out all in yellow and nervously clinging to each other.
The chorus of Bird Girls acts as the background vocals and storytellers of the play along with the Cat in the Hat. All of the girls dazzle onstage as they help to seamlessly intertwine the story lines. The Wickersham Brothers fill up the stage with energy and acrobatics when they “monkey around.”
With musical direction by Michael Gross and the accompaniment of Carolyn Kunze on piano and the orchestra pit, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s collaboration resounds throughout the 1,460-seat auditorium.
All costumes were designed under the direction of the creative Karen Mannal. Mannal and her crew planned out ever stitch, detail, and choice of fabric to help the audience escape into a completely different land.
John Sullivan’s design helps bring every story within the play to life. The rolling sets are so intricate and detailed that the audience practically feels as if they were in a Dr. Seuss book.
Seussical the Musical can be seen Nov. 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Barnstable High School Performing Arts Center at 744 West Main St., Hyannis. General admission is $10. Call 508-771-6246 for reservations or further information.