Seussical
at Springfield High School

Reviewed on March 17, 2018

Kristin Ciampitti
Cardinal O'Hara High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

Magical, fantastical, whimsical, hysterical - it's Seussical the Musical! The excitement and wonder of your favorite Dr. Seuss stories are brought to the colorful stage of Springfield High School. Join the talented cast and crew as they tell an artfully reimagined tale of a young boy who gets thrown into the crazy 'Seussian' world.


The musical is based on the works of Dr. Seuss that debuted on Broadway in 2000. A little boy with a big imagination discovers a curious striped hat and, as he wonders who it belongs to, none other than the Cat in the Hat appears! Inspired by this wondrous character, the boy imagines a wacky world where creatures such as the Whos and talking animals exist. The Whos are minuscule people who live on a speck of dust that is blowing in the wind. While walking through the jungle, Horton the Elephant hears their cries for help, catches the speck on a clover and begins talking to them. The young boy is then thrown into the story, transformed into JoJo, the Mayor's son, just as all the other animals begin mocking Horton for talking to a clover.


From the very beginning of their performance to the last note of the show, the entire cast was confident and energetic. Every character was animated, making their performances memorable.


Leading the musical was Victoria Sillo as the Cat in the Hat. Through expressive body language and emotive facial expressions, she breathed life into her character. Her high energy was perfect for the zany Cat in the Hat, and she was able to maintain that level of energy throughout the entire performance. Toni Huegel who played the Sour Kangaroo had powerful vocals and an attitude that fit her sassy character. Horton the Elephant, played by Matt Storti, was also quite talented and stole the show in numbers such as "Alone in the Universe."


Steven Miller who played the Grinch was one of the performances that stood out with his impressive vocals that were featured in songs such as "Here on Who." The Hunches ensemble were expressive and added excitement into numbers like "Havin' a Hunch" and "Solla Sollew."


The cast and crew were able to move their colorful sets around the stage smoothly and kept scene changes short. There were also a number of students in the orchestra who played wonderfully. In spite of a few minor issues with syncing the orchestra and sound track, they were able to play through it successfully.


Overall, Springfield High School's performance of Seussical the Musical was an amazing success and showcased the students' beautiful voices and talent.

Victoria Kline
Academy of the New Church
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

Who's the biggest blame fool in the Jungle of Nool? You, if you don't go see Springfield High School's charming and wildly funny production of Seussical the Musical this weekend!

Based on the works of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, Seussical the Musical follows the story of Horton the Elephant, in his quest to save a tiny world on a floating speck of dust. This is the world of Who, inhabited by tiny people who cry out to Horton for help. He answers, saying that "a person's a person, no matter how small." Horton faces a sour kangaroo, a rowdy gang of monkeys, a lazy bird who recruits him to sit on her nest, and more in this crazy, rhyming adventure led by the Cat in the Hat.

The first character to appear is a young boy with a huge imagination, played by Julia Dath. When the Cat in the Hat appears this boy is pushed into the story and becomes Jojo, the Mayor of Whoville's son. Dath's powerful vocals brought the story to life, coupled with great expression and imagination in songs such as "It's Possible". Victoria Sillo played the Cat in the Hat, a quirky character who appears and helps Jojo, and the audience, realize the power of imagination. Sillo's theatrical gesticulations kept the audience laughing, as her faithful Things 1 and 2, played by Sam Padilla and Sera Russo, amplified this hilarity. Horton the Elephant was played by Matt Storti, with heartwarming sweetness in his dynamic singing and acting.

The female supporting cast dominated vocally, with a wide range of powerful and expressive styles. Gertrude McFuzz, a lonely bird with a one feathered tail, was played by Michaela Henry, whose ever-changing facial expressions and broadway-quality voice were showcased in songs like "All for You." Zoe Hunchak played Gertrude's foil Mayzie La Bird, a lazy and vain character who leaves Horton to sit on her nest while she goes on vacation. Her sassy singing and dramatic presence in songs such as "Amazing Mayzie" left the audience hungry for more. Completing this triad of terrific performances was Toni Huegel as the Sour Kangaroo, with impressive vocal runs and a spunky attitude.

The whole cast had inexhaustible energy in a show with almost non-stop singing and dancing, and in big numbers sang cohesively. Students were also featured in the orchestra and stage management and crew, making sure everything ran smoothly. Although occasionally the orchestra overwhelmed, the cast overcame this obstacle through good expression and powerful volume.

Filled with heartwarming themes of imagination, gratitude, and acceptance, Springfield's production of Seussical will make you think, and "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think" with the help of a little Seuss.

Asia Blocker
Baldwin School
Submitted for publication to Spri-Hian

This traditional musical with colorful characters and gifted voices will leave everyone with a warm heart and the realization that "a person's a person no matter how small". Springfield High School's production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Seussical is an energetic live reenactment of the amazing world of Dr. Seuss.

Seussical is a classic theater production that can be brought to life, with an animated cast. The musical is a theatrical storytelling within a story, narrated by the infamous Cat in the Hat. By the end of the production, the audience experiences how Horton, the kind-hearted elephant, follows his faith to save the tiny Whoville despite the naysayers. Seussical emphasizes the power of following one's own faith especially when others say not to.

Springfield High School's production of Seussical consisted of a very well rehearsed stage crew and ensemble, consistent energy, and amazing vocalists. The cast and crew of Springfield gave their all when it came to the simple and fun production, bringing Seussical to new heights!

Gertrude McFuzz (Michaela Henry) is a bird who just wanted more than her single lousy tail feather to impress her neighbor, Horton. Henry's sense of lust, quirkiness, and her amazing vocals made her a remarkable character to watch. The salty and Sour Kangaroo (Toni Huegel) made it clear that she was not for Horton's foolishness through her perfectly exaggerated attitude. Huegel's outstanding and strong voice draws the audience in as she simultaneously portrays the intimidating character while prancing around the stage. The whimsical Mayzie La Bird (Zoe Hunchak) shakes her tail feather across stage nonchalantly with elegance. Hunchak's attitude and ability to flaunt her flowy violet dress gave the illusion of a charming bird. General Ghengis Kahn Schmitz's (Jacob McAndrews) consistent accent and stature, made him a comical relief between all the tension in Whoville.

And who could forget the spunky, Cat and the Hat (Victoria Sillo)? Sillo did a wonderful job covering the wide variety of personalities by upholding each one with dynamic energy. Supporting actors, such and The Hunches, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and The Bird Girls moved pieces of the set seamlessly across the floor while keeping character and sometimes even singing! The ensemble had showcased their skills in "The Circus McGurkus" where the audience is entertained with acrobatics and juggling.

Although not student-led, the lighting and sound were executed well enough to portray a change in mood or even setting, such as a storm. Also to be noted is the small orchestra, which played alongside a sidetrack. Despite the difficulties of playing with a track and live orchestra, the ensemble and players were successful.

Living in a place where even thinking outside the box is prohibited, can deflate anyone's confidence. The actors and actresses of Seussical stress the idea that thinking and believing can overcome any obstacle.

Katelyn Tuberosa
Cardinal O'Hara High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

"Oh, the thinks you can think!" The audience was certainly "thinking" about what could possibly happen next during Springfield High School's production of Seussical!

Seussical, based on the works by Dr. Seuss, follows the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing the Whos. JoJo, one of the people who lives on this speck of dust, is constantly getting into trouble for letting his thinks get the better of him. Horton faces danger protecting the Whos and an egg, which was left in his care by Mayzie La Bird. Narrated by the Cat In The Hat, who plays several different characters, the audience discovered a tale of loyalty, the power of friendship, and the ability to think.

Victoria Sillo (The Cat In The Hat) and Julia Dath (JoJo) had undeniable chemistry when narrating the story together. Victoria provided the audience with comic relief in every role she portrayed. She lit up the theater with her natural stage presence and proved to be a seasoned character actress. Julia played the dreamy, innocent JoJo impeccably and she emoted sadness in her heartfelt songs. Matt Storti (Horton The Elephant) had a soulful tone and appealing voice while playing off Julia's emotion in "Alone In The Universe," which became an audience favorite.

Michaela Henry (Gertrude McFuzz) showed off her performance skills in her standout number "All For You." Her vocal range was impressive, her movement across the stage was natural, and her acting was sincere. Zoe Hunchak (Mayzie La Bird) comically portrayed the self-centered bird, which helped Michaela crave Zoe's beautiful tail. Toni Huegel (Sour Kangaroo) showed the audience that she is a force to be reckoned with in "Biggest Blame Fool." Her expansive vocal range blew the audience away as they responded with thunderous applause.

Sam Padilla (Thing 1) and Sera Russo (Thing 2) not only aided the transition of props, but also helped the Cat In The Hat with her antics. Sam and Sera entertained the audience with their fearless acrobatic skills. Victoria couldn't have had better sidekicks. Jacob McAndrews (General Ghengis Kahn Schmitz) assisted in creating the outstanding army with his commanding stage presence.

The performers worked together and performed scene changes fluidly. The cast collaborated well with the high school orchestra members. The audience could sense the hours of practice to make the melodies come alive and fill the room with the festive music and lyrics.

Springfield High School definitely did not disappoint with Seussical. They left the audience wondering what will happen now that everything seems to be all right? They'll have to ‘think some thinks" to find out!