While Dr. Seuss' stories are hardly as flashy as those of the Disney variety, they are still read by nearly every child in America. This weekend, Torn Ticket II will help audience members revisit their childhood in the best of ways. Their spring major production, "Seussical the Musical," is a colorful amalgamation of more than 15 Seuss stories, narrated by the one and only Cat in the Hat (played by junior Sean Hefferon).
Much of the plot of "Seussical" is told through song. This is no problem for the show's cast, which effectively communicates emotion through its singing and manages to mix the music with competent acting. The show is fast-paced with a fairly complex storyline, so the cast's performance is crucial.
"Seussical" opens with a small boy, Jojo (sophomore Tali Cornblath), imagining the Cat and the Hat and ultimately the rest of the tale. Jojo's story centers around the elephant Horton (sophomore Jon Sasenick), who finds a speck of dust at the beginning of the play. Horton learns that the dust is populated by a colony of microscopic Whos. Though Horton tries to protect the Whos from the other jungle animals, he eventually loses them in a field of clovers. From that point on, Horton becomes a victim of unfortunate circumstances and his own good intentions. He is so caught up in his own troubles that he never notices Gertrude (junior Natalie Buzzeo), a bird endowed with a tail she thinks is too small and who is in love with Horton.
Torn Ticket II stays true to the show's Broadway origins. "Seussical" is performed in Cohen Auditorium, where the proscenium stage allows for all the trappings of musical theater ? la Broadway. The costumes are colorful and the set looks as if it has been pulled straight from one of Seuss' illustrations. The production incorporates dance to great effect, and the songs are full of goofy Seuss words that only add to the show's feeling of whimsy. Senior Bridget Reddington accompanies the show live on piano.
"Seussical" manages to be fun without becoming overly childish, as the actors and music make for a fair bit of levity. At one point, when Horton's speck of dust is dropped into the field of clover and it seems as if all has been lost, the Cat in the Hat enters and everything changes. The music goes from cataclysmic to lighthearted, and everyone but the Cat stops singing. He starts a kind of dance and advises the audience and the other characters to "tell yourself how lucky you are."
Although most college students left Dr. Seuss behind with their Legos and Barbie dolls, the cast and crew of "Seussical" feel that the author's work is relevant to people of all ages.
"There are general messages to live by incorporated into the story. It might sound corny, but it's about being who you are and accepting other people," Cornblath said.
"Although [Seuss] writes children's books, in them he deals with real issues that are relevant to people of all ages," sophomore director Cantwell Muckenfuss said. "That includes political commentary and social messages that anyone can relate to."
This is Muckenfuss' first time directing a show, and he says he chose to do "Suessical" because he has enjoyed Dr Seuss stories since he was a child. He tried to focus on imagination in his direction of the show.
"It's important to put on a show you feel inspired by," Muckenfuss said. "I really wanted to show the power of imagination and show people that their big children's imaginations are still with them."
Despite the show's fantastical basis, cast members tried to give their characters depth and make them at least somewhat believable. "I've worked really hard to make my character 3D," said freshman Carolyn Berliner, who plays Mayzie, a flashy and well-endowed bird.
"Seussical" is a fun and colorful break from the real world that showcases the musical and theatrical talents of Tufts students. The show runs tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. with an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Admission costs $7.
