CYT Riverside County presents 'Seussical' at Fallbrook High School

FALLBROOK – Dr. Seuss created some of the most original, beautiful and fantastic characters in the history of story-telling. His most popular characters come to life in "Seussical The Musical", which CYT Riverside County will present in eight shows over two weekends.

Performances will be at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 11, 17 and 18 at The Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts at Fallbrook High School, 2400 South Stage Coach Lane.

CYT's first musical production of the 2018-19 season, Seussical will be directed by Sarah Cook with musical direction by Angie Knechtel and choreography by Blythe Baker.

The show is narrated in an unusual sense by The Cat in the Hat, played by both Brienne Thurber and Aaron Gibbs. The Cat in the Hat introduces us to Horton (Kannon Gowen, Riley Waterman), the lovable elephant who discovers an entire group of people (the Whos) who live on a tiny speck of dust that's actually a microscopic planet.

He first meets JoJo (Jude McDougal, Dylin Rodrigo), a Who child who is in trouble for thinking too many thinks. Horton takes on the responsibility of saving the Whos from a world of naysayers as well as eminent danger.

Horton also cares for an egg left abandoned by Mayzie LaBird (Brooklyn Savage, Sara Alleruzzo) as his loyalty, friendship and kindness are taken advantage of.

One person who never loses faith in Horton is Gertrude McFuzz (Kaylee Cook, Savannah McGowan), who stays by Horton's side through everything, including a dramatic trial at the end of the story. Horton's faith and kindness are rewarded as he saves JoJo and the Whos.

Although the musical is energetic and overwhelmingly positive for an audience of all ages, "Seussical" also explores such themes as loyalty, friendship and a person's place in the universe.

Based on all of the lovable Dr. Seuss characters he created over the years, "Seussical The Musical" has become one of the most popular and most performed musicals in the country.

CYT Riverside County is a non-profit theater arts training program for students ages 4-18. CYT, which has spent 26 years in the valley, offers a variety of singing, dancing and performance classes as well as Broadway-style musicals in the fall, winter and spring/summer.

Tickets are on sale at http://www.cytriverside.org/shows/Seussical/6 for $16 or $18 at the door.

Submitted by CYT Riverside County.