The ‘Cat in the Hat’ is back

The “Cat in the Hat” is back, and some members of the KMC are helping bring his story to the Baumholder Hilltop Theater.

Calling the smallest of small and the tallest of tall, come one come all to “Seussical the Musical,” a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza about the power of imagination and belief in oneself. The Cat in the Hat takes us on an imaginative journey to the world of Horton the elephant, the Whos of Whoville, Gertrude McFuzz, and many other Dr. Seuss personalities.

“Oh, the Thinks You Can Think” captures the show’s spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. The story centers on Horton the elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge — not only must he protect his tiny friend, Jojo, (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie la Bird.

Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him and is the only one who recognizes “his kind and his powerful heart.” The Cat in the Hat acts as host and emcee, sometimes acting as outside observer, narrator and devil’s advocate and sometimes leaping into the action to create mayhem and keep the story moving.
Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

The cast and crew of more than 40 child and adult actors from both Baumholder and Kaiserslautern are rehearsing long hours in preparation for their performance of this popular musical. A support staff of directors, choreographers, costumers, lighting designers, set designers and music directors round out the Seussical crew.

A team of active-duty Soldiers, Department of Defense civilians, German local nationals, Department of Defense Dependents Schools teachers and children of all ages make up the cast and crew, who will pull out all the stops to entertain the audience.

“For many of our actors, this is their first stage appearance ever. Others are seasoned performers. But, they’re all incredibly talented actors, singers and dancers. I know that Team Seussical is going to give an amazing performance,” said director Eric Danzeiser. “This is a play where imagination can go off the charts, and that’s where we want to take our audience.”

“Seussical the Musical,” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, debuted on Broadway in 2000 and is based on the books of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), who wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books in his lifetime.

Performances of “Suessical the Musical” take place today and Saturday and March 1 to 4 at the Hilltop Theater. March 1 will be a special half-price night. Shows start at 7 p.m. today, Saturday and March 1 to 3, and at 3 p.m. March 4. The show will be held at the Baumholder High School Playhouse on Wetzel Kaserne.

For information regarding ticket purchase, call the Baumholder Arts and Crafts Center, Bldg. 8895 on Wetzel Kaserne, at 485-6687 or 06783-66687, or contact the Hilltop Theater on Facebook.

(By Cheryl Navo)