For anyone who was ever a fan of Dr. Seuss' stories, the touring company production of "Seussical the Musical" with Cathy Rigby would have to be the best way to spend an evening in the theater.
All the favorites are there, the Cat in the Hat, Horton, all the residents of Whoville, the Grinch and many more.
The slight story involves Horton finding a clover where the Whos reside and sitting on an egg for Mayzie LaBird and the problems that beset him.
The real entertainment here are the songs, some of the dancing and the acrobatics of the cast led by Rigby, who still looks like she could give it a go on the gymnastics circuit. Some of the moves she pulls off would wear out a lesser person. From the high leg kicks, to tumbling and assorted gymnastics-style moves to even flying, she moves with ease performing the sequences and displays a voice talent to complement it all.
Her best vocal numbers are the opening number, "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!" with the compansy and "How Lucky You Are."
Joining her as young JoJo was Shadoe Brandt, who dazzles with his ability to deliver his lines, perform the dances and hold his own against a much more veteran cast. He joins Horton for "Alone in the Universe" and the Cat for "It's Possible."
Horton is played by Eric Levitton who gives Horton a child-like innocence that gives the character the ability and determintion to believe in things that eveyone tells him are wrong.
He displays a solid singing voice as he offers "Horton Hears A Who" "Alone in the Universe" and several numbers he performs with several cast members where he has a solo part and he shines on all of them.
Other notables in the cast are Garret Long as Gertrude McFuzz, who gives us "Notice Me, Horton," "All for You" and her signature "The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz."
Gaelen Gilliland, a Fox Chapel native, is Mayzie McBird and struts her stuff on "Amazing Mayzie" and "Mayzie in Palm Beach."
NaTasha Yvette Williams delivers a little bit gospel and a lot of soul as the Sour Kangaroo on "Biggest Blame Fool" and "The People versus Horton the Elephant" as well as other numbers.
But Rigby is the star, keeping the story on track, getting laughs while popping up in various locations and keeping the show alive with all the silliness one would expect. The way the role was reworked for her has made it more family friendly and it works.
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