I know I shouldn’t look good press in the mouth, but this is one of the blandest positive reviews I think I have ever read.

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Theater review: – ‘Seussical’ a delight
Frothy fun at HART with eye-popping color
JIM CAVENER – TAKE5 CORRESPONDENT – PUBLISHED APRIL 30, 2010 12:15 AM

WAYNESVILLE – With a cast of 30, and captivating young actors on stage, “Seussical” is a busy show, with lots of action – to the delight of kids.

The Broadway musical team of Lynne Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty concocted this musical from the works of Dr. Seuss, pleasing for its energy, color and melody. With the imagination of the cast and crew of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, led by director Charles Mills, the company has built a commendable production of trivia and froth.

The costumes and Technicolor backdrops are bold, with in-your-face color. The high-definition color of the jungle is wondrously bright and uplifting. Costumes are by Johanna Lewis, Kathy Garris, Christine Martin and Kelly Hunt, and are dazzling.

Dance numbers were designed by Ricky Sanford, Trevor Perry and Ben Sears, who is a standout as a Wickersham Brother, one of Seuss’ monkey characters.

Other stellar turns: Trevor Perry as Horton the Elephant, Strother Stingley as The Cat in the Hat, and Jacob Hunt as JoJo. Shanda Jacobs as Mayzie La Bird and Clara Burrus as Gertrude McFuzz are notable.

Chuck Taft leads a pit band in a range of tunes. Enough tension is woven in to allow for resolution and a feel-good departure after two raucous hours.

“Seussical” is running at 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 9 at the Performing Arts Center, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville. Tickets are $22, $20 seniors, $10 students. Call 456-6322 or visit www.harttheatre.com.

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For those of you who are adventurous, you can find an ass-load of “Seussical” (on stage, back stage and opening night) related photos here.

Opening weekend of “Seussical” is done … and we all *somehow* survived it. If all accounts are true, we should have three reviews coming out in the next week. And *somehow* in the middle of all the mayhem I have developed yet another crush on yet another straight man. Stupid is as stupid does, I guess.

So, while I obsess over my obsessions, jump on inside for some more photos of the show. Continue reading ““Seuss!”” →

After seven weeks of music, dance, staging and general insanity … “Suessical” opens and people get to see what’s under the hat! If you really are a friend, you’ll buy a ticket (even if you live all the way across the country).

The show is looking good, but I can’t say that I am going to miss the rehearsals. So, with some of my free time this weekend, I am going to get some pictures (not taken by me) of the show up. Stay tuned …

Thanks to Mikell for the link to this fun book cover. It kinda sums up how I feel about the show right now. “Seussical” opens in less than a week!

And, hopefully I will be alive to see it!

I am posting!!!

I don’t know what it is, but I just haven’t had the energy of focus to keep up with posting here. I think I am gonna blame it on “Seussical.” I have been thinking about it and I don’t know that I have ever directed a show quite this large. There are lots of things going on and lots of things to worry about.

We are three weeks out from opening. So, hopefully, once we get a little closer in with costumes and stuff … I’ll be posting some photos of what the madness looks like.

Meanwhile … we have finally hit Spring here in the mountains. Or, maybe you could say “summer” as the temps the past few days have been around 80 degrees. Yow!

Wow. Nearly one week since my last post … and only one month and “Seussical” will be open and running.

I won’t lie … it’s been super fuckin’ stressful so far. But, tonight, some things seemed to kink themselves out.

Onward and upward (as they say).

I know I say this about every show I direct … but I am super dead serious when I say that I would quit “Seussical” in a heartbeat if I could.