Seussical
at Annandale High School

Reviewed on March 30, 2019

Carolyn Best
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

From an egg nursing elephant stuck in a tree to tiny Who people too tiny to see, Annandale High School's Seussical was such a treat, you'd think you'd have seen it on Mulberry Street!

Seussical is the brainchild of Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, and Eric Idle, who took care and great tact in the great balancing act of interlacing over twenty of Theodor Seuss Geisel's (or more popularly, Dr. Seuss's) iconic children's books into one cohesive story. Originally opening on Broadway in 2000, the show has enjoyed numerous tours, a West End production, and a Tony Award nomination for lead actor.

The story begins on the Fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool, when Horton the Elephant hears a small noise from a tiny speck of dust that he soon discovers to be an entire world of microscopic people, the Whos. Chaos ensues when Horton is tasked with persuading his narrow-minded fellow citizens of Nool that a person's a person no matter how small. Cleverly interwoven with real life allegories ranging from bigotry to cold war tensions, the musical masterfully masks morals with fantasy in the way Dr. Seuss does best.

Playing the famous hat-wearing cat himself, Kyle Dalsimer made sure no one was left in a lurch as the show's narrator, the Cat in the Hat. Dalsimer channeled the fun-loving first-rate feline with ease, jumping on the set and into minor characters faster than you can say Seuss! From a German bird doctor to pool boy named Jose, Dalsimer made sure his character range was as jaw dropping as his vocal range.

Every story needs a hero and Jack Dalrymple stepped up to the plate (and the nest) as the ever so earnest Horton the Elephant. Dalrymple's portrayal of the persevering pachyderm left the audience longing for Solla Sollew with the resonating feeling of being alone in the universe.

Helping Horton feel less alone was his one true friend in the universe, JoJo the Who, wonderfully played by Claire Vaughn. More than mere one fish, two fish, Vaughn exhibited JoJo's imagination to be as vast as an ocean (or at least McElligot's Pool).

Playing the mean marsupial herself, Nia Collins blew the audience away with her big and brassy voice in numbers from Biggest Blame Fool to The People Versus Horton the Elephant. Oh, the places she and her voice went!

The ensembles of the show were constantly on with the necessary energy to keep children engaged. From the suave Wickersham Brothers (Mariam Sesay, Alexander Ohene, Jackson Fornaris) to the harmonizing Bird Girls (Rediate Zewdu, Savannah Gravitt, Elvera Miller, Amanda Weaver), the characters were committed through and through. And they succeeded (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed)!

The sets (Viann Tran, Jeremy Berry) were painted in bright colors with Seussian black outlining and detail that seemed to be pulled out of a 2-D picture book. And actors lovingly scribbled all over it with their blocking that actively used the set (complete with rope bridge and slide) for functional fun. In short, the set was grand enough to keep even Yertle the Turtle satisfied.

Equally as exciting as the set were costumes (Alex Ohene, Lena Iglesias, Polly Thach). From JoJo's subtle pops of color in the sea of monochromatic Whos to the Cat's many hats, it was clear costumes not only were part of the story but enhanced it to fly to astonishing heights.

So... be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, the production of Seussical at Annan-del-e was a wonderful performance in every which way!

Isabella Walrath
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

If the "Thinks you can Think" make you seem a "Blame Fool," watch Seussical at Annandale High School! They prove you're not alone among the universe and stars, and you'll leave realizing how lucky you are. Annandale High School's production of Seussical is much more than monkeying around: high energies and a fantastical blend of vibrant story and vivid song make any audience member realize how lucky they are to experience it.

Written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Seussical, the portmanteau of "Dr. Seuss" and "musical", is a smörgåsbord of Dr. Seuss' most iconic stories, such as "The Cat in the Hat" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", with a primary focus on "Horton Hears a Who!". The musical first opened on Broadway in the Richard Rogers Theatre on November 2000 and ran until May of 2001. Kevin Chamberlin, who originated the role of Horton, was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Following Broadway, the show went on two tours from 2002 through 2004, and is now available as Seussical Jr., an abridged version aimed for younger audiences.

Kyle Dalsimer was larger than life as the eccentric and extravagant Cat in the Hat. His high energy only increased throughout the show, and his explosive physicality never reflected poorly in his many stellar vocal performances- despite sprinting throughout the theater and nailing various dance numbers, his voice showed no hint of fatigue or breathiness. Dalsimer showed clear dedication to the many personae of the Cat; drawing from a well-stocked arsenal of accents and guises, each new character, which included a dubious doctor and an ancient auctioneer, was clearly defined. Dalsimer and Claire Vaughn, who portrayed JoJo, had complementary dynamics and balanced each other well, while ultimately delivering the moral of encouraging creativity in a subtle, nuanced fashion.

Timid but true, Jack Dalrymple was perfectly cast as Horton the Elephant. Using a shy demeanor and air of insecurity, Dalrymple emulated every aspect of the character and breathed life into the hesitant elephant. Whether straddling an egg at the forefront of the stage or standing in the background and listening intently to the Whos, Dalrymple was consistently and genuinely in character- each emotion and expression felt authentic, never forced. Further enriching the show were Dalrymple's vocal performances; again embracing the personality of Horton, Dalrymple was gentle with stunning clarity and tone, especially in "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Selew".

An additionally notable performance was that of the Sour Kangaroo (Nia Collins). Collins astonished audiences during "The Biggest Blame Fool" with her phenomenal vocal strength and her ability to add sass and flair into the tone of her high belt.

The best details are often those which go unnoticed, and such is the case for costume design (Ohene et al). The contrast between the bright colors of the Birds and the dull tones of Horton reinforced the latter's isolation, while the monochrome pastels of the Whos allowed the multicolor aspect of JoJo's costume to emphasize JoJo's creativity. Particularly notable were the many costumes of the Cat in The Hat: whether it be a pool-boy's speedo, a bailiff's cowboy hat, or even a tutu, each costume highlighted the silliness of the show while using black, white, and red elements to stay true to the Cat's Seussian aesthetic.

Annandale High School's production of Seussical goes beyond any normal high school musical! With many a moral you can put to good use, you'll say "Oh, the thinks you can think when you think about Seuss!"

Elizabeth DeProspo
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

A top hat wielding cat springs from a striped box, drawing the audience into a world of protective pachyderms, "Amazying" displays of colorful plumage, and a jungle full of vocal powerhouses. Annandale High School's production of Seussical utilized every component of the stage to craft a colorful and lively trip into a world of childhood imagination.

Seussical the musical, based on the beloved, imaginative works of Dr. Seuss, premiered in 2000, and has since experienced multiple runs on Broadway. Although it features favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle, Seussical centers around kind-hearted elephant Horton and his attempts to protect the small world of Whoville, which he has discovered atop a small speck of dust. The Cat in the Hat acts as the show's narrator, encouraging young Whoville resident JoJo to embrace the power of imagination, while also popping up to play a multitude of smaller roles. Horton endures endless trials and tribulations at the hands of the mocking and cruel jungle animals, but is propelled forward by an unwavering sense of loyalty and belief that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

The Cat in the Hat (Kyle Dalsimer) led the cast with an energetic, feline physicality, as well as expert versatility, playing a heavily accented cosmetic surgeon one moment and a drawling auctioneer the next with the mere addition of a new hat or prop. The Cat frequently broke the fourth wall in order to further immerse the audience in the show, whether it involved wailing and sobbing into an unsuspecting audience member's shirt, or gifting an excited child with a Dr. Seuss book.

Each actor and actress seized their moment in the spotlight and utilized their unique vocal talents to bring their roles alive. Horton (Jack Dalrymple) was the pinnacle of loyalty and strength, showcasing his heartwarming sincerity during numbers such as "Alone in the Universe." Horton connected emotionally with JoJo (Claire Vaughn), who committed to her role with an authentic sense of childlike wonder and excellent vocal control. Gertrude Mcfuzz (Emily Trachsel) fully embraced her girl-next-door persona, and delivered sweet, emotional pleas in numbers such as "Notice Me, Horton."

Opposing the more genuine characters, Mayzie La Bird dazzled the audience by flaunting her feathers and flighty personality, and the Sour Kangaroo (Nia Collins) played the perfect antagonist, stealing the spotlight of every musical number she appeared in with her killer vocals and phenomenal showmanship.

The set further enhanced the show by providing an incredible backdrop to the actors' stunning performances. Both the set and the props were expertly painted in a colorful, 2D fashion, appearing to have been pulled straight from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. In addition, whenever a prop or new set piece needed to appear onstage, stage crew would run out in "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" costumes, which prevented any disruption of the flow of the show, and maintained the whimsical, upbeat feeling of the production.

With every cast member completely dedicated to bringing the vibrant, energetic visions of Dr. Seuss alive, Annandale High School instilled pure childlike wonder and whimsy into their performance of Seussical.

Pritika Modhukuru
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

A Cat in the Hat's-off to the cast and crew of Annandale High School on their vivacious retelling of Dr. Seuss! Seussical, a suitable choice for the school, was a nostalgic performance that put a smile on everyone's faces, Annandale Theatre Company brought to life our favorite characters, and favorite places!

Seussical was written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, creating a melting pot of various Dr. Seuss stories diffused into one plot. With a Broadway debut in 2000, two US tours, and a West End Production, their spread to high school productions was unstoppable.

The curtains opened to a whimsical set, beautifully painted in vibrant, eye-catching colors, as if the book itself popped out in front of the audience. Everyone's favorite Dr. Seuss characters came in dancing, all costumed perfectly for their roles, sliding down slides and crossing creaky bridges.

As the notorious mascot of Dr. Seuss, Kyle Dalsimer played the Cat in the Hat with utmost dedication. His eccentric and playful delivery of the character was orchestrated perfectly, whether it was his interactions with the audience, or his hilarious lines. And of "All the Thinks You Can Think," we think that his emotional versatility and stage presence evoked Cat in the Hat like no other!

JoJo (Claire Vaughn) showed us that "Here on Who", every character is unique in their own way, and her voice and persona on stage meshed beautifully with the colorful stage and harmonized well with the rest of the cast, including Horton (Jack Dalrymple). Their duet in "Alone in the Universe" was a charming song that juxtaposed the bubbly nature of most of the musical and emphasized the versatility of this talented cast and crew.

Nia Collins stole the spotlight as Sour Kangaroo every time she walked on stage, and her soulful, jaw-dropping voice was one of the many highlights of the show. The troop of Wickersham Brothers also monkeyed around on stage, the audience's eyes drawn to their dark leather jackets and black pants contrasting the colorful set.
And although Horton's egg wasn't green, the adorable elephant-bird that popped out was definitely a big crowd-pleaser! With their matching long ties and cute dances at the end, the grand finale of this show was rendered beautifully through this amazing production from An-aan-dal-ay!

As for the technical elements, Horton might hear a Who, but the audience heard an amazing orchestra! Whether the orchestra was counting to the beat of "One fish, two fish," or "Red fish, blue fish," their professional and pitch-perfect sound created a surreal atmosphere for the audience to get lost in the wonders of this production. The bright and vibrant lighting (Elisabeth Platt) also changed the mood of each and every scene, and the sound (Anass Laghzaoui, John Osipchak) was spot on.

Overall, this musical was an amazing experience that transported everyone back to the good old days, put a smile on everyone's face, and kept us in a happy place! As a shameless Dr.Seuss fanatic, this show was absolutely fantastic!

Sarah Callahan
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"A person's a person no matter how small!" This was just one of many phases of dialogue that was beautifully delivered during Annandale High School's production of Seussical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The narrative revolves around Horton the Elephant as he discovers the world's smallest planet living upon a speck, and his intersections with the planet's mayor, his wife, and their son JoJo, a radical thinker under the guidance of the Cat in the Hat. Although it is undoubtedly an difficult task to take a compilation of classic tales and spin it into something new, this production's fantastic combination of well-spoken dialogue, fantastic singing, festive dancing, creative uses of color for light cues and costuming, and immense characterization all added to the joyful experience of watching this impressively executed show.

The advanced characterization seen throughout this production progressed like a classic Dr. Seuss book. As the story line progressed, the actors further demonstrated their talents through their lively performances that gave depth to their once 2D characters. Claire Vaughn, Jack Dalrymple, and Emily Trachsel, who played JoJo, Horton and Gertrude McFuzz, gave these respective characters depth through the smallest of gestures and facial reactions that although may have lasted only a moment, shaped the entire perception of their characters. Whether it was JoJo's small tug on his mother's blouse that practically screamed "I don't want to leave home to enter a silly butter battle!" or Horton's frequent somber look of worry when he so much as glanced at his clover, these microscopic moments often gave the audience perspective on how these characters truly felt about the circumstances around them without uttering a single word.

It was not only the characters that played it small who left an impact, but also those who played it BIG! Kyle Dalsimer in the role of the Cat in the Hat gave a phenomenal performance that will not soon be forgotten. This demanding role required him to tap dance, immerse himself into the story by putting on multiple personas, and break the fourth wall on multiple occasions, all while narrating the story through pitch-perfect song. Expectations were greatly exceeded through Dalsimer's wonderful comedic timing and impeccable charm that shaped the show's narrative and reflected the entire mood of the show though his happy-go-lucky nature that displayed his unmistakable enjoyment of being on stage. His renditions of Oh The Thinks You Can Think, It's Possible, and How Lucky You Are brought nothing but laughs and praise for the originality he brought to the iconic role of the Cat in the Hat.

In addition to the detail the cast put into making their performances stand out, the level of detail to lighting and costumes truly made the stories of Dr. Seuss come to life! The lighting and the costumes both made excellent uses of color to display various moods and temperaments of the characters that often conflicted with one another. This was particularly seen through JoJo's costume of a multi-colored propeller hat matched with a bright red shirt and yellow shorts, which contrasted with the overall aesthetic of the Whoville citizens who proudly wore their yellow dresses or their brown slacks. This significance of JoJo's aptitude to think compared to the "normal" people was wonderfully expressed through this costuming choice. Additionally, the live orchestra accompaniment was beautifully synchronized with the cast's singing, and was a very enjoyable aspect of the show. This technical originality, combined with the entire cast's exquisite acting, gave the show a family friendly tone that was incredibly enjoyable for people of all ages.

Josephine Petras
Osbourn High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The Seussical compiles a multitude of Dr. Seuss' stories into one grand performance loved by families since 2000. The story begins with the Cat in the Hat encouraging JoJo, a young boy, to use his imagination and think all the thinks he can think. The Cat throws JoJo into the minuscule world of Whoville, which a friendly elephant, Horton, is desperately trying to protect. Trouble ensues when both JoJo and Horton are criticized for believing things slightly out of the ordinary and challenging the status quo. Annandale High School put on a wonderful show and deepened the love the audience had for the characters they know so well.

The actors involved in this production were incredible in multiple disciplines. Kyle Dalsmier as Cat in the Hat and Nia Collins as Sour Kangaroo, stood out in particular in regard to vocal technique and power, as well as command of the stage. Other cast members, including Claire Vaughn, Jack Dalrymple, and Makayla Collins performed with exemplary vocals. All the actors involved had wonderful characterization and physicality. This exemplifies how much time and effort was put into the show, specifically character development. They continued this characterization into song and never lost their personality to the music. The Cat brought an interactive element to the show and broke the fourth wall with masterful technique and style.

The effort put in behind the scenes was truly visible in this performance. Costumes fit the characters and were used to advance the story. Makeup and other styling elements were visible from the audience. The set was used to the full and its diversity was put on full display. Seemingly small details such as the slide and drawbridge were implemented into choreography and movement well. Props were created to appear 2d and straight out of the storybooks. Lighting and sound supported the actors on stage and never drew away from the performance. Colored lighting was used to set the tone of a scene and remind of our location in this mystical world. The pit was one of the best I have heard, they were balanced with those onstage and never overpowered any of the other sound elements.

Annandale High School did a wonderful job of dancing us through our childhood memories and the world created by the renowned author Dr. Seuss. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who loves musical theatre and remind them of the "thinks you can think when you think about Seuss"!