Seussical the Musical

2007

Seussical the Musical, based on the many stories written by Dr. Seuss, became the 12th summer show and another great success for Lakeshore Productions, Inc.

Ryan Klug, one of the Random Lake summer theatre founders, who returned to direct the 2003 show Crazy for You, was back again for Seussical. The amazing pianist Jon Wade served as music director, while choreography was handled by Veronica Hilke and Amanda Ellis. Darcy Devens was the costume designer.

Making its Broadway debut in 2000, this show includes bits and pieces of at least 14 Dr. Seuss books. Theodor Geisel (1904-1991), better known as Dr. Seuss, may be the 20th Century's most famous author for children. He wrote and illustrated 34 books of quirky children's verse.

Playing the lead role and narrator as the Cat in the Hat was Jake Horstmeier (one of his early LPI roles was Sandy the dog in Annie). Other major roles included Leopold Shircel as Horton, Sebastian Palmer as Jo Jo, Courtney Dodson as Gertrude McFuzz, Ilana Cohn-Gomez as Mayzie, Kevin Lampe as the Mayor of Whoville, and Judi Winker as Mrs. Mayor. Maureen Schommer made her stage debut as the Sour Kangaroo.

Seussical featured a rainbow colored 87-member cast plus an 11-member pit orchestra. In his director's notes Klug said the LPI effort, unlike the Broadway version, showcases "our friends, our mothers, our fathers, our sons, our daughters – our community." He continued, "It will hopefully display our own joy and sadness, exasperation and euphoria and what it is to be human in a crazy, zany world."

Just as Dr. Seuss books remain among the most popular for kids of all ages, Lakeshore Productions, Inc., enjoyed critical acclaim and a fine box office return on its 2007 show. The success should have been no surprise because as the opening number states, "Oh, the thinks you can think, when you think about Seuss!"