Berkeley Playhouse’s rendition of Seussical the Musical will give you a hearty serving of from-the-gut laughter and a sprinkle of from-the-soul tears. You’ll find yourself leaving with a sense of empowerment (“a person’s a person, no matter how small”), gratitude (“how lucky you are”), a renewed faith in imagination (“oh, the things you can think”), and an appreciation for limitless love and friendship (“all for you”). If you thought it was just going to be a by-the-book rendition of rhymes, no, it is anything but that!
Yes, Seussical the Musical does follow the tale of Dr. Seuss’ Horton the Elephant and his efforts to protect both the Whos of Who-ville and an abandoned egg. And, interwoven in the story, for Dr. Seuss fans, you will find favorite characters like the Grinch, the Wickersham brothers, and, of course, the Cat in the Hat. But even if you haven’t cracked open a Green Eggs and Ham book in a long, long while (or ever), you’ll still love the animated actors and memorable music, set in a creative world brought to life with charming costumes and set designs.
Although the entire cast deserves a standing ovation, the most memorable character is the Cat in the Hat, because William Hodgson brings to the character his natural vocal talent, perfectly executed comedy, and genuine ability to engage the audience. Soon, you’ll find yourself wondering what he’ll do next and looking forward to each and every entrance he makes throughout the entire show.
For vocal performances, an extra shout-out should be given to Benjamin Pither (Horton), Rebecca Pingree (Gertrude), Sarah Mitchell (Mayzie), and Nicole C. Julien (Sour Kangaroo). Pither has strength and compassion in his voice that befits his character and reaches into your heart. Pingree’s voice shines far more than her tail as she takes the audience for an exhilarating ride of self-discovery and confidence. Mitchell plays the role of Mayzie, a bird already full of confidence and a bit too much self-importance. Though her character is full of fluff, you can tell that Mitchell really knows her stuff. And, not one person in the audience could walk away without acknowledging the way Julien’s voice can really belt it out, filling the entire theatre with “R.E.S.P.E.C.K.” for her.
As to the rest of the cast, each and every character stood out in his/her own right. Most of the children found the eye-catching antics of the mischievous monkeys known as the Wickersham Brothers (Miguel Gamalinda, Dane Paul Andres, J.P. Gonzalez, and Derek Leo Miller) appealing and absolutely amusing. John Lewis, the General, has a voice that breaks out from behind his mustache. Although Don Hardwick has multiple roles in the ensemble, there is consistency in the way his flair fills the air. And, the cast’s flock of beautiful birds (Kayla Berghoff, Nkechi Emeruwa, and Ji Kim-Fung), shine in their own right with their voices as colorful as their costumes. And, as an extra touch, you’ll be astounded by the integration of featured aerialist, Kimberly Miller, who takes the most creative scenes to a whole new level of imagination.
Of course, no Dr. Seuss show could be complete without the addition of children in the cast. You will find them sprinkled throughout the set as citizens of Who-ville and more. The main child actor portrays the character of Jojo (played by both Nandi Drayton and Chloe Killebrew). And, although Jojo has inconvenienced his parents (wonderfully played by Jonathan Fadner and Elissa Stebbins) by having a creative imagination, the audience is thrilled to have the young Jojo as one of its heroes, rooting for him all the way to the discovery that “anything is possible.”
In summary, the show is full of heart and soul with plenty of laughter to go around for everyone, appropriate for an audience of all ages. So if you are looking for a memorably entertaining event for the entire family, go see the show. Dr. Seuss has made a positive impression on so many families, and this show is sure to do the same. Congratulations to Director/Choreographer Kimberly Dooley, Musical Director Tal Ariel, and the entire production crew and cast.
Seussical the Musicalis performed by the Berkeley Playhouse at the Julia Morgan Theatre (2640 College Avenue, in Berkeley). The show will run from July 9 – August 14th. Ticket prices are Adult $33, Seniors $30, Children $22, and Tots (below 5 years old) $15. And, as an extra incentive for families managing tight budgets, the Berkeley Playhouse also offers three Half-Price/Pay-What-You-Can Nights on July 14th, July 27th, and August 4th at 7pm. Patrons can pay half-price in advance online or take a chance at being able to get seats at the last minute seat by paying-what-they-can when the doors open one hour before the show. For more information, see www.berkeleyplayhouse.org.
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