Dr. Seuss classics on stage in Whitefish
Kristi Albertson | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 11 months AGO
<p>Matt Ford, as the Cat in the Hat, left, and Griffin Ziegert as Jojo take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.</p>
<p>Matt Ford, as the Cat in the Hat, takes part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 with Whitefish Theatre Company.</p>
<p>Matt Ford as the Cat in the Hat, left, and Christoph Lawton, as Horton, take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 at the O'Shaughnessy Center.</p>
<p>Makkie Haller and other Whos take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 with Whitefish Theatre Company.</p>
<p>From left, Matt Ford, Amy McAntee, Susie Wambeke, Amy Chisholm, Christoph Lawton and Kate Ehrenberg take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 at the O'Shaughnessy Center.</p>
<p>Christoph Lawton, as Horton, left center, and Kate Ehrenberg, as Gertrude, and other cast members take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 with Whitefish Theatre Company.</p>
<p>Ava Chisholm, center front, and other Hunches, take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27, at the O'Shaughnessy Center.</p>
<p>Amy McAntee, left, and Susie Wambeke, as two of the Bird Girls, take part in the dress rehearsal of "Seussical the Musical" Nov. 27 with Whitefish Theatre Company.</p>
A wise elephant once mused, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” And people of all sizes have found a home on stage with Whitefish Theatre Company.
The community theater group is bringing Horton the elephant and other classic Dr. Seuss characters to life in its holiday musical “Seussical.”
“The show is an amalgamation of over 15 of his books,” Director Rebecca Spear said. “It’s really interesting how the story weaves together some of Dr. Seuss’ most famous and beloved characters and stories.”
The show centers around the story of Horton, who famously heard a Who and hatched an egg. And while the production features the bright colors and zany characters Dr. Seuss was known for, “Seussical” also has a story the audience can take to heart.
“When you think of Dr. Seuss, you think of cartoony, wacky characters, but also his stories are really profound. They really stick with you,” Spear said.
She recalled a documentary she’d seen in which a man who’d edited Dr. Seuss’ stories was interviewed.
“He said, ‘People say children don’t really like stories with moral lessons. You can’t do that. But really, it’s that children don’t like bad writing,’” Spear said.
“There’s nothing more moving than a really carefully crafted moral lesson. I think that those really stick with everybody.”
Those lessons are what have made Dr. Seuss’ works endure, she added.
“I think he is loved not only for his distinctive style but he is also really loved for his perspective on moral issues, social issues and political issues,” she said.
It might have many levels, but “Seussical” is also a colorful romp, with high-energy song and dance numbers and talented actors of all ages.
“I think our youngest is 8, and then it goes all the way up to the 60s,” Spear said of her cast’s age range.
That range is part of what makes Whitefish Theatre Company unique, artistic director Jesse DeVine said.
“That’s one of the best things about this community theater: It does give an opportunity to all ages and in essence, to make community members shine,” she said. “To many people, Whitefish Theatre Company is where your neighbors become stars.”
The theater group has put on a major musical for as long as it has been in existence, but in 2005, it moved the musical to December, DeVine said.
“That’s when it became more associated with Christmastime,” she said of the musical. “It was always a family-friendly show.”
When DeVine moved to the valley five years ago, the musical was a major topic of conversation, she said.
“I heard so much in advance ... about the show they did around Christmas, and how stunning, how visually stunning, how remarkable it was,” she said.
The show’s 32 cast members have been rehearsing for about nine weeks, DeVine said. Their first performance is tonight at the O’Shaughnessy Center.
Spear says audience members should expect to have a good time.
“I’m having the best time,” she said. “It’s such a fun show.”
Kristi Albertson, editor of This Week in the Flathead, may be reached at 758-4438 or at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.
