Like many authors of children’s literature, Dr. Seuss is primarily a lesson-teacher. However, I believe it was Mister Geisel’s ability to seamlessly marry deeply important moral themes with his signature brand of whimsy which secured his bibliography a place on most every child’s bookshelf for decades on end.
Seussical is a hugely successful show in its ability to stand on the shoulders of such a legendary icon, releasing his characters to run amok on stage through a musical tapestry which takes as many genre twists and turns as one would think appropriate for such a colorful array of figures, and yet maintains the beating heart of the lessons Dr. Seuss sought to impress upon his young readers — lessons that assure small people that they matter. That they are beautiful just the way they are. That the world as we know it was shaped by folk who dared to dream outside the box.
I fell in love with this show many years ago for its ability to tickle my sense of play, while simultaneously pulling at my heartstrings (and consistently rimming my eyes with tears.) I like musicals that have fun, but in doing so, leave an impression. I believe this show does just that; leaving us waxing upon the fables of Seuss and the deep foundation of respect he had for children and their power as agents of positive change.
And so what better group of players to bring this production to you now than the young artists who make up the cast, crew, production and management staff of this show you are about to see tonight? They are some of the hardest working, life-loving, dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing, and I hope you might have even a fraction as much fun with them through the next 70 minutes as I have over the last two weeks.
So, enjoy yourself. Smile big. Laugh loud, and lose yourself in the fun of the evening.
Unless you’re at a matinee.
Then do the same, but in the afternoon.
Dan Beckmann, Director
10 years ago, a dream I had since I was three years old came true when Spring Theatre was founded. It was in our first season that we produced “Seussical”, and in many ways it seems like only yesterday. The production staff was mostly just me and my late father, Pat Dearth who always built the scenery for my shows. It’s incredible to think back to those times and see how far Spring Theatre has come. The young performers that graced the Spring Theatre stage back in 2011 are mostly grown up now, but they will forever be a part of the Spring Theatre family. Some are still here, working backstage or on the staff of the theatre, and others have professional careers in the arts. Some have chosen different paths, but have taken the skills they learned onstage into their daily life. I marvel to think at where this Seussical cast will be in ten more years, and how this experience of being onstage (especially for the first time after a pandemic year) will affect the trajectory of their lives. That is what I love about Spring. It’s all about encouraging and bringing out the best in the next generation.
Thank you for being here today, for supporting live theatre and especially for supporting youth onstage. Happy Birthday, Spring. Here’s to ten more years!
-Erinn Dearth, Founder of Spring Theatre
