Reflecting on Seussical

As auditions are closing for the next production, I'm remembering a night when things really started to gel for Seussical…..

At a rehearsal for the lead characters of Seussical the Musical, my eyes were really opened more to the heart of our new theatre company here in Selma. Each part of the team had a specific task for the evening and all came together and worked collectively to have a productive rehearsal. We had the choreographer working with the Wickersham brothers, the monkeys. The assistant director was working with the bird girls and herself, Mayzie, on their vocals and dance. The two leads were working on their solos with the director. And one of the production team was off to the side talking with one of the parents.

I was watching the Wickershams practice, on a very tiny stage, starting and stopping the CD player while they learned their dance. It started with the choreographer showing two of the cast members, the monkeys, some of the ideas she had for their solo dance piece. It’s the part of the play where the monkeys are making fun of Horton, the elephant. It was incredible to see the two boys take the choreographers ideas and embrace them and make them their own. Part of what I love about Random Acts of Theatre Company is the freedom that it gives everyone involved to be themselves. In this case, what could have easily become a competition between the two boys, actually gave them an outlet to work together and make the dance their own, together. With some guidance and direction from the choreographer, they combined their talents and created a gift to share with the community and the other cast members.
What really touched me last night was the end of the rehearsal. It was time to wrap up and “close up shop,” but the kids really were excited to show each other what they had worked on and didn’t want to leave. So, the director asked each group to take the stage for a little show and tell. First up were the Wickershams showing off their solo dance with everyone else cheering them on, laughing and clapping, some rolling on the floor. And Horton, the elephant, saying, “Oh, those monkeys are mean, why can’t they just be nice? I haven’t done anything to them!”

Then Mayzie and the bird girls took the stage and did a little Latin groove number, teasing and trying to persuade Gertrude, kind of an awkward bird, to conform to the world so Horton will notice her. It was really fun to start to see the characters taking shape with these five girls. After the first two groups, everyone was laughing and having fun, really enjoying things coming together after only a few rehearsals.

Next, Horton and Gertrude took the stage. They shared a song where Gertrude is trying to be noticed by Horton and Horton is occupied by trying to find his clover. There is nothing more beautiful than people, sharing their voices and their hearts for their causes in such a vulnerable way, up on stage. It was really sweet and all of us in the audience were in tears by the time they were done performing. Still no one wanted to leave; it was such a special night.

I was able to look back at the first production, Footloose, and see how much each of the production team has grown and is able to play their part, whether it’s as an actor, director, or choreographer, or someone taking time to listen to a parent's heart for their child. What I was able to see was how each piece is so vital to a complete and successful show.

I was able to see an actor, being a part of the cast; they can be an example, by being on time, knowing their lines and blocking, so that they can concentrate on encouraging their other cast members. As a director one can teach and hold up a standard that most of the cast has not seen before. As a friend one can listen to the cast and parents, we can understand them and love them. It is so much bigger than a show. We are here to demonstrate the Lord's love, to show this city that they are special and not forgotten about. I can see how powerful the message will be because of each person's testimony; it connects them into their character and will allow the viewers to really be a part of their heart, if only for one night, it will be something that they will always remember.