Seussical the Musical
at Woodroffe High School

Reviewed on February 22, 2020

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
St. Joseph High School
Ottawa Citizen #1
Sir Robert Borden High School
Ottawa Citizen #2
St. Pius X High School
Ottawa Citizen #3
Notre Dame High School
Ottawa Citizen #4
Philemon Wright High School
Ottawa Citizen #5
St. Francis Xavier High School
Ottawa Citizen #6



Natasha Baldin
St. Joseph High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #1

Seuss! A name that brings joy, colour, happiness and nostalgia to the inner child in every Who. Welcome to the land of Seuss, where normal is weird and nothing is impossible. In Woodroffe High School's production of Seussical the Musical, this whimsical realm was brought to life in all its colourful glory. Cast members proudly demonstrated all the thinks you can think when you think about Seuss.

Based on many beloved abstract tales created by Dr. Seuss, this musical comedy follows the story of Horton the elephant as he comes across a speck of dust, which he discovers to be the minuscule town of Whoville. Horton quickly bonds with a Whoville resident named JoJo, both of whom are regarded as outcasts in their own worlds for thinking differently. As Horton yearns to protect the clover on which the speck of dust settles, he battles against an unimaginative society in the Jungle of Nool that discourages him from having such abstract thoughts. When the clover is lost and Horton is sold to the circus, Horton must go on a journey of self-discovery, as he tries to convince the others that he is not delusional, and that a person's a person, no matter how small.

With their contagious energy and undeniable creativity, the cast of Woodroffe High School flawlessly executed the large variety of songs that this musical comedy had to offer. The production team seamlessly created a parallel between the Land of Nool and Whoville with the use of creative costumes and outrageous hair and makeup. Also of note was the exceptional use of the stage space in order to create a divide between the two worlds.

Playing Horton the Elephant, Connor McGlynn flawlessly portrayed his character's various deep and all-over-the-place emotions using impeccable inflection while singing, and realistic facial expressions. His harmonies, most notably with Markus Stevens as JoJo during "Alone in the Universe", were beautiful and emotional. McGlynn was able to naturally portray Horton's connection to the small town of Whoville, as well as his persistence that this tiny community had purpose.

In the role of the beloved Cat in the Hat, Aliyah Sutherland was able to naturally portray her character's comic and goofy nature throughout the entire performance. Even when she was not the focal point, Sutherland was still enhancing the scene with her silly dancing and prancing in the background. Her delivery and enunciation were astounding; an impressive feat considering the famous tongue-twisting language of Dr. Seuss. Josephine Crone in the role of Gertrude McFuzz portrayed her character's journey of self-acceptance realistically. Her outstanding vocals and honest facial expressions drove home the important message of self-worth, especially during her moving performance of "All For You".

Jacqueline Meldrum truly immersed herself in the land of Seuss, taking on the roles of student stage director, head of costumes, and member of the chorus. She put a great emphasis on the contrast between the two worlds by creating costumes that were unique to each character and universe. Every single one of her numerous hand-made costumes and modifications looked professional. As stage director, her inventive use of blocking created an obvious split between the two realms. When both universes were on stage at the same time, her talented use of the stage space and costumes created a stark visual contrast.

The power of being unique was the focal message of Woodroffe High School's performance of Seussical the Musical. The outstanding effort of the cast and production team in bringing together the details of this magical story would have made Dr. Seuss proud.




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Alex Storah
Sir Robert Borden High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #2

From the biggest of elephants to the tiniest of Whos, a person is a person, no matter how small! Woodroffe High School brought the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss to life, through their whimsical performance of Seussical the Musical.

Although primarily based on Dr. Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who", Seussical the Musical intertwines several other Dr. Seuss classics, including "The Cat in The Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham". The story follows Horton the Elephant, who comes upon a speck of dust containing the tiny town of Whoville. Facing ridicule, danger and even trial, Horton vows to protect the Whos of Whoville, about whom he has grown to care so deeply.

Adding their own unique flair to the already extravagant story, the cast of Woodroffe High School embodied Dr. Seuss's wacky characters, never failing to crack up the audience.

Connor McGlynn captured Horton's timid nature through his gentle tone and purposely awkward physicality. McGlynn's heartfelt vocals in songs like "Horton Hears a Who" and "Alone in the Universe" made the isolation and desperation Horton feels that much more believable. Markus Stevens excelled in the role of JoJo, a "thinker" with a vivid imagination. Beginning as clumsy and unsure of himself, Stevens's emotions were convincing as JoJo's confidence grew over the course of the show.

Whether it was running through the theatre, sliding across the stage, or dancing like no one's watching, Aliyah Sutherland committed to her role as the crazy Cat in the Hat. Sutherland's unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to her character had the audience searching for her no matter how minor her role was in certain scenes. In the role of Gertrude McFuzz, Josephine Crone depicted the bluebird's insecurities and frustrations in her songs "The One Feather Tail of Miss Getrude McFuzz" and "Notice Me Horton" with believable heartache and impressive vocals.

The show was visually appealing and appeared to have been pulled straight from Dr. Seuss's books. The meticulously painted backdrop provided a clear distinction between the two worlds, as the pastel colours of Whoville contrasted the deep greens and blues of the Jungle of Nool. The colourful array of costumes fabricated by Jacqueline Meldrum allowed each character to shine, whilst also complementing each other on stage.

Woodroffe High School's boisterous performance did justice to Dr. Seuss's classics and was enough to leave any loner, outcast, or freethinker with a sense of self-empowerment.


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Parker Knight
St. Pius X High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #3

Gather all, come and see, a musical adventure filled with wonder and glee. A tale of self discovery and creativity, it's not just any old musical, why, it's Woodroffe High School's rendition of Seussical the Musical!

Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the classic musical details two adventures running concurrently and intertwined: one of JoJo and his adventures of escaping his world through wondrous thoughts, and another of Horton the Elephant trying to save said world. Along the way the story is brought to us by a zany Cat In The Hat narrator, as they use song and dance to present both Horton and JoJo's tale of learning that being different isn't so bad; after all, a person is a person no matter how small.

Markus Stevens pulled through with a lively and energetic performance as JoJo from the very beginning, and really embodied the childlike wonder and youthful imagination the character should have. Stevens brought a very eccentric energy to the young character, and performed with on-point choreography that sold both his personality and the fantastical events of the story. Stevens also came through vocally throughout the entire show, and he never failed to provide enjoyable and catchy vocal harmonies while moving through the well-timed lyrics, creating invested musical moments, such as the standout track "Alone In The Universe" from the first act, where Stevens gave emotional yet catchy line delivery.

As the wonderful Horton, Connor McGlynn gave an amazing performance that brought much needed emotion and genuine feeling to the character. McGlynn's scenes often came as very bright highlights, with him emoting in a believable and compelling manner. McGlynn expertly transitioned from the upbeat comedic beats to the more quiet emotional scenes, and he played off the other characters fairly well.

Aliyah Sutherland as the Cat in The Hat sparked constant awe and laughter from the audience as the magical narrator, with delightfully quirky mannerisms and ear catching lines. Josephine Crone as Gertrude McFuzz gave us a wonderful side journey that complemented the main story well. Crone came through with a good acting range, and sold her character's growth well. Kylie Niman as the Sour Kangaroo was often a vocal highlight, delivering powerful notes and taking command of the space with an incredible vocal range.

The costumes were all well put together, and created a clear visual distinction between the jungle animals of Horton's world and the Whos of JoJo's. Everyone's costume was elaborate and brought great visual flare, whether it was the bright red feathers of Mayzie La Bird, or the very Seuss-like swirled suit, tie, and top hat of the Cat.

Woodroffe High School's rendition of Seussical was a wonderfully creative and lovably odd series of songs all wrapped around a plot of self-acceptance. With catchy songs and impressive choreography, it sure made an entertaining experience that let one remember, "a person is a person, no matter how small."


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Daisy Thang
Notre Dame High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #4

Nonsensical in narrative but stirring in nature, the works of the illustrious Dr. Seuss expose in simple terms complex truths about the world. Woodroffe High School's immersive performance of Seussical the Musical was a fusion of art and storytelling that evoked both a modern sense of wonder and childhood nostalgia.

Based on the works by Dr. Seuss and adapted for the stage by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical the Musical is a sung-through musical based on various stories by the beloved author. For the most part, the plot follows a friendly elephant named Horton as he stands his ground against his fellow residents of the Jungle of Noon. At stake are the lives of the minuscule residents of Whoville, situated on a speck of dust. Horton suffers trials and tribulations in an effort to uphold the rights and dignities of the Whos, who serve as not-so-simple metaphors for vulnerable and marginalized people.

In the beloved role of Cat in the Hat was the electric Aliyah Sutherland, whose performance included singing, dancing, and occasionally skateboarding across stage. She brought to the production energy and consistency in both presence and voice, along with a great deal of showmanship.

In the role of JoJo, Markus Stevens' performance was empathy inducing. His character's highs and lows were well represented by his broad range of emotion and animation. Where Connor McGlynn's rendition of Horton the Elephant shone was in his singing. Harmonizing beautifully with other characters while also captivating alone, McGlynn's performance in "Alone in the Universe" was riveting and a production highlight.

Furnishing the stage were larger-than-life set pieces crafted by the talented Woodroffe crew. A giant striped topper hat and a mobile tree made the stage whimsical with transforming elements that were inventively used to add layers and dimension to the production. Background pieces were expertly painted in the iconic surrealist style attributed to Seuss himself, and they played an integral role in the world-building of the entire production.

Vibrant and abstract, the costumes adorning the cast elevated the production to a level that gave life to the fantastical reality in which it was set. With intentional colour combinations, skilfully assembled animal costumes, and a detail-oriented approach, the pieces captured the unique blend of symbolism and art often seen only on paper.

Woodroffe High School's showing of Seussical the Musical was a visual gift. Talented direction by Jacqueline Meldrum helped the narrative flow with ease and seamlessly merged the practical with the visionary. The talented cast and crew were able to let unfold a story that grappled with themes of integrity, individuality and belief in both others and oneself.


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Madeline Bott
Philemon Wright High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #5

Oh, the things you can think! Woodroffe High School's Seussical the Musical was perfect for the whole family; it explored the vast worlds of Dr. Seuss and the characters we all know and love.

Seussical the Musical is a story based on many of Dr. Seuss's stories. It tells the tale of Horton the Elephant. This bright and considerate elephant discovers a speck of dust that holds the town of Whoville. He's greeted by JoJo (Markus Stevens), an intelligent young boy who has a giant imagination. Horton decides that he must protect the speck and at the same time he agrees to protect the egg of Mayzie la Bird (Aya Idresse). He tries to convince the other animals in the Jungle of Nool that the town does indeed exist, but nobody believes him except Gertrude McFuzz (Josephine Crone). She has fallen in love with Horton--and soon enough--so does Horton with Gertrude.

The students of Woodroffe High School delivered a dynamic performance with an array of emotions, from the uplifting and bright "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think" to the sad and gloomy "Alone In the Universe". They all stayed in character throughout the show, and some delved deeper into the raw emotions of their characters.

Horton the Elephant, played by Connor McGlynn, had a voice full of wonder. Connor was great at setting the mood for every song. He was always able to show his true character. He was able so showcase the true meaning of friendship, betrayal, and love.

As Cat in the Hat, Aliyah Sutherland portrayed the role of Cat in the Hat unbelievably well. From the silly little jokes to the dramatic movements, the performance was on-point. She was always in character, even when she sat in the audience at intermission. Kylie Niman, playing Sour Kangaroo, had an astonishing vocal range. From the moment she began to sing, the room was in awe. Her voice was powerful, which fit her character perfectly. She brought the sass and pizzazz to the stage.

The costumes, designed by Jacqueline Meldrum, were intricate and flashy. The colours were even and consistent throughout Whoville. They were warm and playful, matching the character traits of a Who. The animals of the Jungle of Nool were deeper and cooler-toned colours, showing that they're the ones that are mischievous and up to no good. The sets were designed by Eve Cowan and Mak Yan. The inspiration for their design was the illustrations from Dr. Seuss's books. They smoothly combined the two worlds together, making it feel as if audience members were in two places at once. They were so close, yet so far away.

This rendition of Seussical the Musical by Woodroffe High School allowed the audience to step into a Dr. Seuss storybook and experience the complex lives of the beloved characters. It showed the significance of fighting for what you believe in and the power of being unique.


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Isabella MacKay
St. Francis Xavier High School

Submitted for publication to Ottawa Citizen #6

"A person's a person no matter how small," and Woodroffe High School's Seussical the Musical was a heartfelt production for all. Through the crazy words, wacky characters, and bright colours of a Dr. Seuss tale, the talented students of Woodroffe High School exemplified the importance of individuality, creativity, and determination.

Seussical the Musical is a reworking of Dr. Seuss' many magical worlds into one story, with its greatest influences being Horton Hears a Who! and The Cat in the Hat. The Cat in the Hat narrates the interwoven tales of JoJo, a misunderstood teenager in Whoville, and Horton the Elephant, who is determined to protect the speck of dust upon which Whoville rests. As JoJo tries to convince his parents that his inventions are useful, Horton must battle against an unpleasant kangaroo, a bird who fears commitment, and a chaotic circus. With its essential messages of staying true to oneself and allowing imagination to flourish, Seussical the Musical is a unique, inspiring comedy.

Woodroffe High School's production of Seussical the Musical was directed by student Jacqueline Meldrum. Meldrum's positioning of the actors was professional and enticing, with each moment on stage containing dynamic movements and physical characterizations. The cast managed the challenges of a musical well and consistently remained full of energy and expressiveness.

Aliyah Sutherland excelled as the Cat in the Hat with her cheeky, comedic glances at the audience, enthusiastic dancing, and powerful voice. Markus Stevens portrayed JoJo with emotion, which flawlessly carried into his vocals, most notably in the song "Alone in the Universe". Connor McGlynn excellently played Horton the Elephant through his honest and shy physical movements and his rich, soothing voice.

Josephine Crone, as the self-conscious bird Gertrude McFuzz, was a comedic delight with her exaggerated facial expressions, like when she scrunched up her face in frustration. Kylie Niman played Sour Kangaroo with a fierce sassiness conveyed through the way she sauntered across the stage and sang with a mature, raspy tone. Gavin O'Connor, as the Grinch, captured the iconic, slinking gait of the character and maintained difficult bass notes while singing.

The crew enhanced the production through the designing of the set, choreography, and costumes. The set perfectly captured the iconic Dr. Seuss illustrations, as if it had been plucked right off of a page. The set was versatile, allowing for quick transitions, like the movable nest, and contrasting colours were used to distinguish between Whoville and the Jungle of Nool. Aya Idresse choreographed the entire musical, including large and small cast numbers in various dance styles. The choreography was engaging, especially during the song "The Circus McGurkus", which included moves that dancers of all abilities could perform. The costumes by Jacqueline Meldrum were whimsically designed and created for each character, such as the bright, hand-sewn, patch shell for the turtle.

Woodroffe High School's Seussical the Musical fully demonstrated Dr. Seuss' fundamental values through the cast's determination to create distinct characters and the crew's dedication to creativity. This production proved that even if someone feels alone in the universe, musical theatre could bring students and strangers together through verse.


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