Well-played ‘Seussical’ charms at UC Irvine

TOM TITUS

What might Theodor Seuss Geisel think if he were still alive and if

he dropped in to UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor Theater, where all the

characters he created are frolicking on stage? He’d probably feel the

same rush T.S. Eliot might experience at a production of “Cats.”

“Seussical: The Musical,” a compilation of the stories and

inhabitants of the Dr. Seuss poems and stories -- by Lynn Ahrens

(book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (book and music) -- will

strike a responsive chord with many audience members who grew up on

the good doctor’s flights of fantasy, dating back to 1937.

They’re all here -- Horton, the kindly elephant; Gertrude McFuzz,

the lovesick bird, the Sour Kangaroo; the Grinch; even Yertle the

Turtle.

It’s a wild and wacky circus, presided over by its inimitable

ringmaster, the Cat in the Hat.

Director Myrona DeLaney has meshed all of these familiar elements

from children’s literature into a colorful and thoroughly

entertaining production.

Its only drawback is the occasional absence of clarity, as the

show’s witty lyrics are often drowned out -- mainly in ensemble

numbers -- by an enthusiastic UCI orchestra under the baton of Daniel

Gary Busby.

The cherry atop this delicious musical sundae is Katherine

McLaughlin in a beautifully kittenish performance as Seuss’ Cat in

the Hat. McLaughlin packs her character’s mischievous and imaginative

qualities into a most attractive package.

Horton, the conscientious pachyderm who “hears a Who” and takes on

the task of preserving the tiny people’s culture -- even while

baby-sitting a huge bird’s egg -- is staunchly interpreted by Zack

Oldham. The wallflower bird with a single tail feather that adores

him is sprightly played by Sharon Rietkerk.

Kristen Brandt, as the flashy Mayzie La Bird, is a ringer for a

younger Catherine Zeta Jones, beautiful but overly vain.

Caitlin McGinty ruffles some feathers as the only real “heavy” in

the show, the Sour Kangaroo.

Another centerpiece in the UCI production is young Quintan Craig

as the boy Jojo, whose imagination and overt “thinking” is creating

consternation.

His concerned parents, Scott Reardon and Carly Nykanen, and sister

Emma DeLaney complete the attractive family.

Max Smythe is a certified show swiper as the martinet general of a

boys’ military academy, while the Grinch (Ben Gleichauf), Yertle

(Patrick E. Burns) and a Dracula-type creation Vlad Vladikof (Andrew

Heringer) also have their moments.

Mary Pingree’s superbly imaginative scenic designs and Leah

Springman’s illumination give the show a physical boost, but the most

impressive atmospheric element is the costuming of Kristine N. Haag.

These outfits immediately establish their wearers’ character without

masking his or her features.

The avian characters of Mayzie and Gertrude are particularly

effective.

“Seussical” is ideal not only for today’s youngsters, but their

parents and grandparents who grew up on Dr. Seuss. It’s a bright,

colorful and fantastical show geared for the young at heart.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.