Playing It Fast and Suess

    It’s zany, and cartoony, and not that abstruse, all from the mind of a man named Seuss. Seussical the Musical is coming to both The State Theatre and Menomonie High School this month! The story is a rather complex amalgamation of 15 of Seuss’s famous books, and combines many of them into one. “You can expect a high-energy show,” said Wayne Marek, executive director of Eau Claire Children’s Theatre. The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz, and Mayzie LaBird are just a few of the many Seuss characters that come alive in this lively showcase. The story mirrors Horton Hears a Who, centering on the elephant who finds himself faced with a double challenge – not only must he protect his tiny friend and all the invisible Whos, but he must also guard an abandoned egg. Meanwhile, The Cat, an outside observer, acts as narrator and devil’s advocate throughout the show, briefly leaping into the action to create conflict and keep the story moving. The musical is of a different format than most. “We break a lot of the traditional musical rules, such as fourth wall, and talking to the audience,” MHS director Audric Buhr said. The show captures the spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. As an added bonus for ECCT’s show, there will be a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the characters on Nov. 21, at noon, at Ramada Convention Center.

    ECCT’s Seussical • Nov. 19-22 • State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St. • 7:30pm on Nov. 19-21, 1:30pm on Nov. 21-22 • $18 adults, $16 seniors, $8 youth • 839-8877 • www.ECCT.org /// Seussical the Musical, by Menomonie High School • Nov. 13-15, 19-21 • Menomonie High Auditorium, 1715 5th St. • 7pm on Nov. 13-14, 19-20, 1:30pm on Nov. 15 + 21 • $8 adults, $5 seniors/students • 232-2609 ext. 40-120