HOULTON, Maine — The wonderful world of Dr. Seuss was on full display at the Houlton Community Arts Center this past weekend as Houlton Middle-High School students gave three rousing performances of “Seussical.”
Featuring the popular Seuss characters of “The Cat in the Hat,” “Horton the Elephant,” and “Mayzie LaBird,” the production drew strongly on the story arc of “Horton Hears a Who!” in which Horton the Elephant (played by Jonathan Smith) hears a voice calling to him from a speck and places it on a clover, vowing to protect it. He later discovers that the speck is actually a tiny planet, home to a community called Whoville, where creatures called “Whos” live.
Tessa Solmon sings a solo during the production of “Suessical,” the fall production at Houlton Middle-High School. (Joseph Cyr)
“I think it went very well,” said Jason Anderson, director for the play. “The kids were very pleased with their performances, and I was honored to collaborate with them on making this terrific piece of art.”
Sierra Rhoda proved to be a scene stealer for much of the show as the mischievous “Cat in the Hat.” Tessa Solomon and Ellie Grant also gave strong performances as “Gertrude McFuzz” and “Mayzie LaBird” respectively.
Other cast members included Kelsey Sewell (JoJo); Carolyn Hannigan (Sour Kangeroo); Mariah Peterson (Young Kangeroo); Isabel Cyr (Mr. Mayor); Sidney Peabody (Mrs. Mayor); Christian Lively (General Genghis Khan Schmitz); Keaton Michael, Lydia Byron, Grace Kafferlin and Avalon Williams, as the Wickershams; Mia Findlater, Hillary Peabody, Alyiah McLaughlin and Kyleigh Tyler as the Bird Girls; Emmalyne Drake (Grinch); Natalie DeLucca (Yertle the Turtle); Ella McCarthy (Thing 1) and Ella McCarthy (Thing 2).
Other performers included Nick Hardy, Autumn McKenney, Amelia Callnan, Carissa Michaud, Elizabeth Howe, Lindsey Bartman, Tia Burlock, Mayan Pratt, Alexandria Craig, Kaylee Galeno, Lucy Hebert, Dominic Morse, Mallorie Woodie, Kaitlyn Kenney, Trinity Randall, Mataya Pinette and Hailey Suitter.
Numerous other students served as stage hands for the production.
The production marked the first time in a number of years that students from both the middle and high school collaborated on a play.
Lower ticket prices, and the family-friendly content of the show, yielded a strong turnout for this year’s production. The cafeteria of Houlton High School was filled with many Seuss props created by Erika Jackett.
“I feel the audience enjoyed the performances, and yes, attendance was up this year when compared to the past few years,” Anderson said. “This may have been a product of reduced ticket prices this year, and/or the combination of the middle school and high school students together. It was nice to see that citizens will turn out for live music and theatre in Houlton.”
The annual plays are a major accomplishment for the music department at the school, but are not without considerable work.
Sierra Rhoda, left, portrays the character “The Cat in the Hat” alongside Kelsey Sewell as “JoJo” during a performance of “Seussical” at Houlton Middle-High School over the weekend.
(Joseph Cyr)
“Overall, I was very pleased with the show,” Anderson added. “I am proud to have such hard-working students who dedicate about 75-100 hours each to create what audiences saw this past weekend. It’s a huge commitment, but certainly well worth it when an audience applauds for you.”
Editor’s note: Houlton Pioneer Times reporter Joseph Cyr’s daughter was in the cast of “Seussical.”
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- Ellie Grant, left, belts out a tune alongside Jonathan Smith during Houlton Middle-High School’s production of “Seussical.” (Joseph Cyr)
