The Keegan Theatre: Seussical The Musical!

I had this miss-conception that "Seussical the Musical" would be somehow more bawdy.  Have more double entendres.  More adult innuendo.  I didn't expect that it would be 100% sweet, sincere and just FUN!  As you know, I am a fan of the matinee.  At these performances, I am often--with over 60% of my first century of life past me--the youngest person present!  Well, not tonight, my pretties.  I was one of the old fogies!  Such a wonderful thing to be surrounded by families with children.  Even having some kiddo sitting behind me kick the back of my seat throughout, a new sort of distraction.

The merits of the show itself are pedestrian.  Run of the mill sort of classic Broadway show.  Of all of the possibilities, for those who haven't seen it, it's focus is on Horton the Elephants and the Who's who live a the speck of dust.  The Cat in the Hat acts as the emcee/narrator throughout with cameos by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Yertle the Turtle.

And so there is the Jungle cast of characters, the abode of Sweet Horton the Elephant, and the Who cast lead by the daughter of the Mayor of Who's who live on the speck of dust.  While the show Fun, it would wrong to assume that depicting 'fun' on the stage is easy.  This is a high energy production and I feel compelled to identify the members of the cast who really shown.

First, there's the little Who girl, Jo-Jo.  Played by Kailyn Fetterman with such unabashed innocence and sincerity, she was delightful from start to finish.  The role of Horton the Elephant went to one of the most veteran members of the Keegan Theatre family, Michael Innocenti.  I've had the good fortune to see him 3 other productions by Keegan, and every time he is also been a stand-out in the cast.  It was impossible not to fall under his spell as he refused to give up on his promises.  Finally, a new comer to me, Quincy Vicks as the Cat in the Hat.  What a talented young man.  His voice, his energy, his physicality, the presence of the character of the Cat so skillfully presenting.

All of the other contributing factors: sets, costumes, props, orchestra save one were spot on.  The weak link?  The lighting.  I didn't understand some of the choices when the ensemble was present.  Perhaps some aspect of the equipment was off, otherwise; in various moments the choices were distracting.

Overall, a delightful production--a FUN production--perfect for a Summer's eve in the Nation's Capital.

Quincy Vicks as The Cat in the Hat

The ensemble with the Cat in the Hat

The Mayor and his wife of the Who's, Julia Link and Stephen Russell Murray

The Who's who live on the dust speck

The Mayor's daughter, Jo-Jo (Kailyn Fetterman)

Horton the Elephant (Michael Innocenti) and chorus of Girl Birds (L-R: Julia Link, Carianmax Benitez and Sally Imbriano)

Gertrude McFuzz (Sarah Chapin), Horton's unrequited love interest

The Wickersham Brothers (L-R: Stephen Russell Murray, Christian Montgomery and Jimmy Bartlebaugh)

The jungle animals prepare to steel the clover blossom with the Who from Horton