The Cat in the Hat, played by Harrison White, is the ‘conductor’ in the musical ‘Seussical.’ The story evolves around Horton the Elephant (Sam Zeller), who is with Gertrude McFuzz (Annie Ramsey). (photos by Alysa Brennan)

Who would have thought that the kind-hearted elephant Horton, the mean-spirited Grinch who hates Christmas or the chaotic cat with a funny hat would become stars of one of the most popular musicals produced in the country?

The world of Dr. Seuss has captivated children and adults alike since his books first appeared in the late 1930s. “Seussical,” a musical based on an amalgamation of Theodor Geisel’s beloved books, from “Horton Hears a Who!” to “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!,” opened on Broadway in November 2000. The Civic Light Opera of the South Bay Cities’ holiday production of “Seussical” opens with previews Wednesday, Dec. 2.

In “Seussical,” Horton the Elephant has two significant challenges, saving the invisible world of the Whos and his miniscule friend JoJo as well as protect an abandoned egg left behind by the lazy Mayzie LaBird. As Horton faces many dangers, the importance of family and friendship saves the day.

“It’s one of those shows that will break your heart one second and the next second you’re rolling on the floor because it’s so funny,” said director Stephanie Coltrin. “I think it’s the perfect time for everyone to come to the theater and be involved.”

As Horton goes through his trials and tribulations, one of Seuss’ most enduring characters, Cat in the Hat, played by Harrison White, acts like a “conductor of the piece.”

“His whole story line basically is to push the show through and to explain the story of Horton,” White said. “I personally feel like it’s Horton’s story and the Cat in the Hat is orchestrating it. He’s trying to open it up so that we all see that just because people are stuck in their own realm, just because they’re stuck in their own box, that’s all of it, there’s something that’s so much more bigger outside of the picture.”

White added, “I have to put on a lot of hats. He’s playing different types of characters so it’s the switching and there are a lot of props for me in the show and it’s all quick moments. He’ll come out and introduce a song and then he’s gone but he sets up every scene just about. So I’ll be on one side of the stage and I’ll show up on the other side of the stage in costume, in a new hat. It’s getting my mind regulated to where I need to be and when I need to be there because one slip up, I’m doomed, at least for an act.”

As Horton, Sam Zeller uses his physical presence to play the elephant, minus any costume that could constrain him. He went far enough in capturing Horton as to study the elephant’s lumbering movements. But it’s more than Horton’s bulk that defines his character.

“This big animal is the most kind and caring and loving of everything that surrounds him,” Zeller said. “As an actor I always play bad guys so this is like my joy to actually live this because this is more of who I am as a person.”

The narcissistic Mayzie gets stuck with an egg and through her manipulative ways, she convinces Horton to take care of the offspring. “Seussical” follows the story of “Horton Hatches the Egg” closely but with a twist at the end.

“In this one the egg doesn’t hatch,” said Jessica Gisin, who plays Mayzie, “I decide I don’t want it and I give it back. Stephanie and I worked on it. Do we keep her one level and make her the person that’s very narcissistic and doesn’t care and wants everything for her? I think that the way we decided to take it, is that it’s hard and it’s in the writing. She knows she’s unreliable. She knows she can’t do it. There is a part of her that thinks kind of like someone giving up their child when they know they can’t take care of it so gives it to someone I think will take care of it and I leave on my merry way.”

Always supporting Horton and never losing faith in her elephant friend is the “lovable” Gertrude McFuzz.
“I can relate to her a lot,” said Annie Ramsey, who plays Gertrude. “I think a lot of people can where maybe there’s something about themselves they want to change. For example, for Gertrude, she only has one feather in her tail. She would like to be glamorous like Mayzie. So throughout the show she goes on a journey trying to find a way to get her tail to grow and it does. Then it doesn’t fit her and she can’t fly. She’s not able to do what she’s supposed to do. So her journey is figuring out she’s right just the way she is. I think that is what is so great with the show. Everyone has a message.”

Through his children’s books, Geisel, who was also known as a political cartoonist, explored issues that while children might not fully comprehend, adults could appreciate the messages as they got older.

“The thing about Dr. Seuss that was always interesting to me now more as an adult is the way that he thinks and the lessons that are there,” Gisin said. “I didn’t know about all of the political stuff, though, until recently. As a kid you read it and you don’t get it but I think it does sink in, in a way. Then as an adult you’re rereading again and saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, I didn’t even know.’”

But no matter how old one might be, many have found memories of Dr. Seuss and his many works, which “Seussical” captures.

“The music is beautiful,” Zeller said. “The characters are charming and endearing and happy and joyous. I think the audience will laugh and cry and really be entertained.”

White said he first discovered Dr. Seuss in the fifth grade when he was first introduced to “Cat in the Hat.”

“Even when my nieces and nephews were growing up I would read them ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ which is why I’m so ecstatic about playing him. It’s perfect for the holidays.”

Ramsey added, “Around the holidays it teaches people and tries to help people to know we don’t have to think in the box. There’s more than one way to do something and anything is possible. This is a great message that everybody should hear.”

Also in the cast is Paula Chimene Jiles as the Sour Kangaroo, Gary Lee Reed as General Schmitz, Jason Wenn as Mayor Who, Janet Clark as Mrs. Who, John Lindahl and L.J. Benet as JoJo and Sophia Viggiano, and Kyrsti Chavez as Baby Roo.

“Seussical” opens with a preview Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 4, with shows at 8 p.m. The gala press opening is Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. The regular schedule is Tuesdays through Saturday at 8 p.m. There will be Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. Sunday matinees will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The show closes Sunday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.

The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. For more information, call (310) 372-4477, or visit www.civiclightopera.com.