7th Street Kids to present ‘Seussical’

The 7th Street Kids will present “Seussical” this Thursday through Sunday at the historic 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam.

This is Julayne Fleury’s sixth year directing the group’s summer musical. “This has to be the best show we’ve done in years,” she said. “We have the strongest and hardest-working cast, with the youngest and most inexperienced ensemble — but they are rising to the occasion.”

“Seussical” is a mishmash of several children’s books written by Theodor Seuss Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss. The colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

In it, the Cat in the Hat (played by Christian Gleason, age 15) tells the story of Horton (Aiden Brown, 14), an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos — including JoJo (Sam Dorsch, 12), a Who child sent off to military school for “thinking too many thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: Not only must he protect the Whos from his world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an egg abandoned by lazy Mayzie La Bird (Joie Haviland, 13). And although Horton faces ridicule and danger, Gertrude McFuzz (Emma Dorsch, 15) never loses faith in him.

The sets, hair and costumes are every bit as colorful and wacky as any Seuss illustration. Beth Barene, a 7th Street Kids board member, is handling the hair and makeup. She and Fleury were still coming up with fun styling ideas for “Who hair” a week before opening night.

“If we opened this weekend, the Kids would be ready — but the costumes wouldn’t,” she laughed during a July 25 interview.

Other adults with major behind-the-scenes roles include musical director Alex Eddy and choreographer Michael Amendola. All of them have their hands full, with 52 Kids performing this year.

“It’s a young bunch,” said Barene, noting that only a few of the players will age out of the group after this show.

For the Kids, who’ve been rehearsing since school let out in mid-June, it’s hard work — but worth it.

“I love working as a team to make a great production,” said Isaac Evensen, 15, who’s playing the Grinch.

“You don’t need to be a lead to have fun,” said 13-year-old Maggie Williams, a member of the jungle ensemble. “The fun part for me is getting along with everyone.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, then 2 p.m. Sunday. The 7th Street Theatre is at 313 Seventh St. in Hoquiam.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $5 for children 12 and younger. They are available in advance at www.7thstreettheatre.com, Tinderbox Coffee Roasters in Aberdeen, Harbor Drug in Hoquiam, Mocha Madness in Ocean Shores, and Vacations By the Sea in Westport. They also will be sold at the theater box office one hour before each show.