HOULTON, Maine — The stage of the Houlton Community Arts Center will be transformed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, into the weird and wonderful world of Dr. Seuss as part of Houlton Middle-High School’s fall play production.
Under the direction of Jason Anderson, choral director for RSU 29, this year’s production, “Seussical,” features a number of familiar characters and stories from the world of Dr. Seuss, including “The Cat in the Hat” and “Horton Hear’s a Who.”
On Broadway, “Seussical” is a musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and is based on the stories of Dr. Seuss that debuted in 2000. The play’s story is an amalgamation of many of Seuss’s most famous books.
Unlike previous years, where there were separate high school and middle school productions, the music department decided to try something different for this year’s plays by combining the two groups.
“It’s been a real blast to stage ‘Seussical’ with the students from Houlton Middle and High Schools this fall,” Anderson said. “It has been about a decade since we’ve combined the two schools together for one show. In fact, it was before I started my tenure here as I am on my eighth fall production in Houlton.”
Anderson added that the combination of the two groups has gone seamlessly.
“Seeing the kids (ranging from grade 6 to grade 12) interacting in such positive ways has been very fulfilling,” he said. “The best part of coaching kids during this production season, aside from watching them build such terrific, lasting friendships, is watching them grow and work outside their comfort zones. This show is always an audience favorite, since many adults grew up reading (or having been read to) the work of Dr. Seuss. We hope that everyone enjoys seeing these characters come to life in very funny, and at times touching, ways.”
Anderson added he would not have been able to take on such a large production concept without the help of many volunteers.
“I couldn’t even think about staging a production such as this without all of the adult helpers who make much of this possible: Kevin Mania, Jamie Sewell, Sandy Hartley, Heather Bell, Becky Day, Erin Kafferlin, and Dee Butler,” he said. “Without their help, many of the production aspects wouldn’t look as outstanding as they do. I’m proud to work with such a terrific production team, and with such talented youth.”
“Seussical” showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults. For more information, call Dee Butler at 538-3870.
