‘Seussical the Musical’ at SDMT Delivers Charm and Family Fun

Oh, the places you’ll go, and the thinks you can think! Ahrens and Flaherty’s “Seussical”, currently playing at San Diego Musical Theatre, is a light-hearted, endearing production filled with family-friendly laughs, great choreography and catchy songs.

“Seussical” follows sweet and sensible Horton the Elephant (Jordan Brownlee), as he discovers a speck of dust — unassuming and small — that is home to the Whos. Little Jojo (played by understudy Arden Johnson on 05/22) is a Who constantly lost in his thoughts and daydreams, thanks (or no thanks) to the pesky Cat in the Hat (Cameron Blankenship). Horton has taken on the duty of protecting Jojo and all the Whos down in Whoville, despite mockery from the citizens of the Jungle of Nool, notably the Sour Kangaroo (Carjanae Evans). Jojo is sent to the military academy to get rid of all that pesky thinking, with the stern General Genghis Kahn Schmitz (Mikaela Rae Macias) leading the troops. Along the way, Horton crosses paths with Gertrude McFuzz (Jasmine January) and Mayzie La Bird (Dacara Seward), two feathered friends in the jungle looking for more out of life. All the animals and Whos come together to show that a person’s a person — no matter how small.

The story is helmed by the fourth-wall-breaking narrator and emcee, Cat in the Hat. Blankenship is outstanding as the infamous, mischievous Cat, delivering most of the production’s comedy that worked incredibly well. If the Cat has all the humor, then the Elephant has all the heart, because Brownlee’s portrayal as Horton is so touching, friendly and kind. Both Blankenship and Brownlee carry the production with such great energy.

January, as Gertrude McFuzz, is another standout performance. Her portrayal of the sweet little bird with a one-feather tail is adorable and often very funny. Macias’ militant Genghis Kahn Schmitz is hilarious with the “I do not like green eggs and ham” army march. She was perfectly boisterous and loud, and delivered some of the show’s silliest dialogue. (A shoutout to Isabella Fulop for their hair and wig design. The Nerf darts woven into Macias’ braid were a great and whimsical touch that made the character even funnier and elicited quite a big laugh from this reviewer.)

Directors Xavier J. Bush and Van Angelo helped the show flow seamlessly and casually. Bush’s choreography was stellar, lending so much creativity and brightness to this Seussified world, and Angelo’s music direction was tight and clear. The two came together to create a unique take on the 26-year-old musical.

Michael Wogulis’ set design starts grey and static, but over the course of the show, it becomes colorful, vibrant and exciting. Hidden wall panels and door facades reveal words, shapes, landscapes and more. The moving platforms were used effectively and efficiently thanks to set choreography from the actors. Lighting by Sammy Webster was always shifting shape and color to help create the wild and wacky Seussical playground — there was never a dull sight, thanks to Webster’s design. Patricia Lutz’s costumes were all a perfect fit for the cartoony characters while incorporating fashion from our reality. Mixing the two worlds was an engaging concept from Bush, Angelo and Lutz. The Whos’ blue-and-yellow outfits were well coordinated, making them one while still helping each one stand out (including a goth Who and a chain-smoking Who — great details!).

It was this reviewer’s first time seeing “Seussical the Musical,” and I was quite charmed. Humor that landed, heart that hit home, and catchy music that stuck around after leaving the theater. SDMT put on a great production; don’t let these colorful characters pass you by!

“Seussical the Musical” runs until June 7 at San Diego Musical Theatre.

(Photo credit: Karli Cadel)