Seussical
at J.P. Taravella High School

Reviewed on February 28, 2020

Alexandra Sansone
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

"Oh, the thinks you can think when you think about" JP Taravella's colorful production of "Seussical" the Musical.

Based on the whimsical creations of Dr. Seuss, "Seussical" was brought to the stage by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Narrated by the infamous Cat in the Hat, "Seussical" follows the story of Horton the elephant (Nicolas Vela) who discovered the spritely microscopic town of Whoville on a speck of dust. After meeting Jojo (Candice Davis) a Who who has wildly creative thinks, Horton decides to protect Whoville on a clover, no matter how much trouble this causes him. And does it ever cause him trouble. When the production first opened in 2000, it was met with mediocre reviews and little success. Despite this, it has become one of the most produced productions by school and community theatre programs.

Vela presented himself as a reserved but loving elephant. His vocal performance was strong in each song he sang, including "Alone In The Universe," a duet with Davis. His relationships with other characters on stage were genuine and convincing. When interacting with Davis, he was emotional and sincere in his concern for Jojo and the town of Whoville. Davis, in turn, captured the childlike essence of her character wonderfully and maintained this energy and innocence throughout the show.

Hunter Quinn, in the role of Cat in the Hat, was true to the zesty nature of the beloved character. Quinn's facial expressions were vibrant and his movements exaggerated as he interacted with both the cast and audience. His versatility in his presentation was both comical and impressive.

Equally as impressive was Nicole Sugarman (Gertrude), a bird with a one feathered tail desperate for Horton's attention and affection. Sugarman's attention to detail set her apart from everyone on stage. Her physicality expressed the nervous energy she carried with her whenever with Horton. From her animated facial expressions to her intense gaze, she showed a true understanding of her character.

The cast as a whole maintained consistent energy throughout the production, embodying the inner child that "Seussical" teaches us we all have. Though at times it was hard to find the focus of the scene on stage, everyone moved with purpose and grace. Though some vocalists lacked diction, harmonies were executed beautifully, especially by the omnipresent Bird Girls.

Transitions between scenes and of individuals on and off stage were smooth and well-timed as they effectively used the most of their set and stage space. Despite the occasional microphone being too loud for a performer's strong vocal performance, the incorporation of sound elements was properly timed and implemented. Though some actors could have done with more detailed shading, the transitions of various hair and makeup looks were done efficiently and effectively. The incorporation of intricate handmade hairpieces was especially impressive.

Full of colorful creatures and loyal youthful spirit, JP Taravella's production of "Seussical" teaches us you are not "alone in the universe" and "anything's possible."

Adrianna Luna
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

In the words of Theodor Seuss Geisel, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." So grab your thinking hat, open your mind and steer yourself into the auditorium of JP Taravella High School's production of "Seussical."

"Seussical" is a conglomeration of Dr. Seuss' famous works brought to life by the minds of Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle who managed the great task of melding such vastly different stories into one. The musical follows the story of Horton the Elephant, a resident of the Jungle of Nool, a world created by the imagination of a lonely child named Jojo with the help of his new friend the Cat in the Hat. Horton discovers a miniature planet on a speck of dust containing people called Whos. He takes it upon himself to protect the Whos, however, he faces adversity from his short-sighted animal neighbors. Tackling themes of loyalty, prejudice, and individuality, "Seussical" is an all-encompassing musical for any and all ages.

Playing the infamous top hat wielding cat, Hunter Quinn guided the audience as he assumed the role of narrator. With the mischief of a feline, Quinn would break the fourth wall interacting with the audience, whether through a live auction for an elephant or misting the audience with his tears. Quinn did not disappoint, ensuring his facial expressions, exaggerated movements, and sass complemented the high energy and emotion of Candice Davis (Jojo). Davis gave a praise-worthy performance, capturing the child-like nature of Jojo through her physicality and facial expressions.

Serving as the hero archetype, Nicholas Vela showcased Horton's heart of gold through his solemn physicality and range of expression. Vela's melodic voice was displayed through numbers such as "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Sollew." Vela and Nicole Sugarman (Gertrude) had undeniable chemistry developed through numbers such as "Notice Me, Horton" and "All For You." Not to go unnoticed, was Sugarman's energy and well-established girl-next-door persona that added depth to the production.

Tasked with a demanding musical, the entire cast managed to maintain a consistently youthful, high-energy performance. The ensemble creatively made use of the stage, utilizing their orchestra pit at times and managing to keep the audience engaged. "A person's a person no matter how small." Taking these words to heart, the cast debuted The Little Trojans, children from their school's early childhood program, into the roles of Child Whos, eliciting a resounding "aww" from the audience. Despite the lack of diction from some characters and occasional microphone feedback, it should be noted that eighteen mics were shared amongst thirty two actors and there were no major technical issues, a feat in and of itself.

"Oh, the Places You'll Go", if you let the world expertly crafted by JP Taravella High School in their production of "Seussical" manifest itself into reality. Meet a cat, with a red and white striped hat. Or follow a circus, as a one-tailed bird with a purpose. "Anything's possible!"

Genevieve Dubin
North Broward Preparatory School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and the Grinch all pop off the pages of our most beloved childhood poems and onto the stage in a whimsical and wild production sure to have you dancing in your seat and feeling like a kid again. Based on Dr. Seuss' children's stories, JP Taravella's production of "Seussical" magically spins these tales into a fantastical show about friendship, feathers, and faith.

This musical comedy, written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, weaves together several Seuss books, focusing on the adventures of Horton in the Jungle of Nool and his quest to save the tiny planet of Whoville. Debuting in 2000, "Seussical" had a short run on Broadway, but has since found loyal audiences in revivals at regional theatres and schools around the country.

Hunter Quinn who played the infamous Cat in the Hat, charmed the audience with his colorful antics and vivid facial expressions. Quinn moved the show along with his lively and comedic narration, maintaining his energetic physicality throughout his performance. Candice Davis portrayed the young day-dreaming JoJo. Davis's nonstop enthusiasm throughout the show filled every scene with her kid-like energy.

Nicole Sugarman dazzled in her performance as Gertrude McFuzz. Sugarman's incredible vocalization mesmerized the audience, her powerful voice hitting every note with ease. Her marvelous physicality and energy encapsulated Gertrude's character. Sugarman's exemplary performance was matched by that of her counterpart, Nicolas Vela as Horton. Vela's smooth vocal ability and lovable charisma played wonderfully into his creation of this classic character. Vela convincingly created contrasting relationships with both Gertrude and Mayzie, infusing these friendships with very distinct and deliberate nuances.

Dani Wolfe was truly "amayzing" bringing to life the fanciful Mayzie. Her vocal technique and expressive facial expressions shone through during her solos. Wolfe's dazzling dancing dominated the stage and enhanced her flamboyant character. Mikey Uliano and Kayla LaCerra who played Mr. and Mrs. Mayor developed a sweet and believable chemistry. Their relationship onstage was distinct, not only with each other but also with JoJo.

The Wickersham Brothers and Bird Girls wowed with their infectious energy, shining with tight harmonies and seamless choreography. The ensemble, though at times lacking the energy to match the leading roles, did an outstanding job at keeping clear harmonies and fluid movements.

The production's lighting and sound enhanced the overall performance. There was microphone feedback at times, however the crew was always quick to recover. The innovative use of lighting transported the audience to Whoville and the Jungle of Nool. The creative costumes contributed to each actor's character and performance.

Only the "Biggest Blame Fool" could resist the charms of JP Taravella's production. With heart, imagination, and a beloved cast of characters, Seussical transported the audience into a child-like trance and a world of wonder.

Gabriela Phillips
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

A town named Whoville on a speck of dust and a one-feathered bird searching for love she can trust. With imagination beyond compare, JP Taravella High School's production of "Seussical" truly shows that "anything's possible."

With music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, "Seussical" transports the audience into a world filled with childhood nostalgia. Having opened on Broadway in November of 2000, the show follows Jojo, a young boy with a vibrant imagination, as the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant and his journey to protect the dust containing a little town known as Whoville. Told through playful songs and rhyming lines, this show is sure to appeal to the child within everyone.

With infectious energy and a vibrant persona, Hunter Quinn narrated the story wonderfully as the Cat in the Hat. Guiding Jojo (Candice Davis) through a journey of a lifetime, Quinn's energy and facial expressions never faltered. His exaggerated expressions complimented Davis' child-like demeanor and aided in enhancing the relationship between the two. Quinn's confidence always shone through and made the production all the more enjoyable to watch.

Playing the kind-hearted Horton, Nicolas Vela truly captured the genuine nature of his character. With numbers such as "Alone in The Universe" and "Solla Sollew," Vela was able to showcase his emotional commitment to the role as well as his vocal strength. Nicole Sugarman portrayed the unique yet determined Gertrude, her consistent energy brought a playful feeling towards the show. She always had the perfect intentions behind her movements, and paid strong attention to detail. The relationship between Vela and Sugarman was excellently developed and best exemplified in numbers such as "Notice Me, Horton." Sugarman's vocal prowess and dedication to the role never faltered allowing for an engaging performance.

With beaming energy, the cast wonderfully tackled the demands of this difficult show. Through strong character development and wonderful vocal technique, they succeeded in fully developing the world within "Seussical." Although at times some cast members lacked diction, their consistent energy made up for lost lines. A notable trio was the Bird Girls consisting of Fallon Collins, Jaime Happel, and Leah Tomas. Their wonderful vocal quality and energy remained constant through the entirety of the show and they always remained expressive in their movements.

Technically the show excelled. The use of pool noodles and water guns as weapons, as well as slides and rock climbing walls effectively tied in with the childhood theme. The sound and costume crews should also be commended for their quick changes with mics as well as costumes. Overall, tech did a great job of ensuring the production flowed well and looked cohesive.

With vibrant energy and dedication to the theme of childhood, JP Taravella High School's production of "Seussical" reminds you of "all the thinks you can think" when you dream in bright colors.

Rylee Berger
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

The Cat in the Hat and a Sour Kangaroo, Yertle the Turtle and Solla Sollew. A kind-hearted elephant who's really quite brave, and the small, tiny world he's trying to save. At J.P. Taravella the stage is thus set for a production of "Seussical" you will not forget.

Written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, with credit to Eric Idle for co-conceiving, the musical was deemed a critical failure after a short Broadway run in 2000. Despite this, the past twenty years have brought "Seussical" success in high school, community, and regional theatres. Weaving together Dr. Seuss' tales, the musical begins when a "thinker" called Jojo (Candice Davis) dreams up the Cat in the Hat (Hunter Quinn.) The Cat whisks Jojo through a story concerning some of Seuss' most beloved characters as they discover the power of imagination and friendship.

Hunter Quinn's powerful stage presence and confidence radiated through his portrayal of the Cat in the Hat. His energy never faltered throughout the demanding role. Tasked with presenting multiple characters as well as narrating the story for both the audience and Jojo, Quinn easily rose to the challenge. His physicality and vocalization brought the iconic cat to life, providing a caricature-like performance that was distinctively reminiscent of the hilarity and absurdity of all things Seuss. Quinn's depiction of the Cat in the Hat worked nicely with that of Candice Davis as Jojo. Davis provided clear commitment to her role and was successful in displaying the arc of her character.

Further enhancing the quality of the show, Nicolas Vela's Horton was solemn and sincere. His vocal performance was particularly notable. Vela was able to provide exceptional command of numbers like "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Sollew" whilst never sacrificing his characterization. Equally as engaging, Nicole Sugarman's natural talent shone in her role as Gertrude. Taking the imaginative themes to heart, Sugarman's childlike physicality and evident understanding of her character were unmatched. Her spectacular vocalization and ability to entertain were highly compelling; the number "All for You" highlighted these skills exceptionally well.

The ensemble, particularly vital to the performance of this musical, maintained high energy throughout the production. Though some members of the cast lacked strong characterization and commitment, harmonies were executed cleanly and powerfully. The Bird Girls stood out for their crisp and unified choreography. The use of space by the actors was particularly creative, routinely utilizing both the pit orchestra and the set in unique ways.

The technical elements of the production were effective. While setting "Seussical" on a children's playground was unique and gave youthful energy to the production, it at times led to a disconnect between the design elements. The calling of the cues and the use of lighting aided in swift transitions between scenes.

J.P. Taravella's pleasantly playful and light-hearted "Seussical" appeals to children of every age, with delightful characters gracing the stage. The musical reminds us of how lucky we are and that truly great friends are never so far.