The Catskill Chronicle

Review by Carol Montana, photos provided

FORESTBURGH, NY – It’s cute, it’s fun, and it’s for children of all ages.

Every year, Forestburgh Theatre Arts Center (FTAC) produces some very special children’s programming. Last year, the company had great success with Disney’s High School Musical, which played all season. And since you shouldn’t mess with success, this year’s children’s production will also play throughout the summer.

Seussical is another don’t-miss Forestburgh production. It’s mostly based on Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who, with a few additional characters from other books thrown in for good measure, which were written, of course, by the beloved Dr.  Seuss. The play has music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. This is the one-act version of the show and runs about one hour and 15 minutes – just perfect for children.

The entire production is so bright, so bubbly and so colorful, it will lift your spirits for the rest of the day, maybe even the week. FTAC, as part of its educational component, features local children and college students in the cast. And because they want to involve as many children as possible, most parts are double cast. All of the actors mentioned below were seen on opening day, Thursday, July 1.

The play featured Nick Mason as the Cat in the Hat, who narrates and comments on the story, and Max Nussbaum as the irrepressible and supremely loyal Horton the Elephant, who must not only guard an egg abandoned by the irresponsible Mayzie (Taylor Rector), but also must save all the Whos and Whoville after he hears them calling for help on a speck of dust. Rebecca Bass plays JoJo, the tiny Who, who becomes friends with Horton.

Special help for Horton comes from his good and true friend Gertrude (Zoe Kassay).

Other roles include a Sour Kangaroo (Phoenix Toliver); Wickershams 1, 2 and 3 (Jake Boyd, Jake Weinstein and JR Goodman); Bird Girl/Mrs. Mayor Ariana Sepulveda; and Bird Girl 2 and 3 (Jenny Brescia and Alyssa Wall).

All the performers shine in this high-energy show, that has colorful costumes by David Withrow and a bright, showy set design by Darcy A. Engel. The program doesn’t mention a property master, but special mention must be made here. The props are so cute and so appropriate to this striking, flashy show – especially in the fish scene – that a big bravo should go out to the person or people in charge.

The play is directed by Sarah Norris, who has done an excellent job of focusing the various components of set, costumes, props, lighting and acting, and involving the audience in this sweet tale of love, friendship and loyalty. Dr. Seuss would be proud.

The cast mentioned above alternates with the following actors: Kris Ward (Horton), Madison Turner (Mayzie), Georgia Tapp (Gertrude), Khristy Chamberlain (Sour Kangaroo), Marrick Smith (Cat), Wickersham 1 (Tim Meisel), Bird Girl 1 and 3 (Grace Flaherty and Quincy Confoy) and JoJo (Zoey Gronner).

Seussical continues every Thursday and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Forestburgh Playhouse through August 14. Ticket prices are $10 for children and $20 for adults. Group rates are available.

For tickets, call the Playhouse Box Office – open daily from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. – at 845-794-1194, or visit the Forestburgh Playhouse at www.fbplayhouse.com.