You won't see characters from all 44 of Theodore Geisel's "Dr. Seuss" books in the national touring production of "Seussical the Musical," but there'll certainly be enough to keep most youngsters happy. Or former youngsters from the nearly four generations of readers who have been enthralled by the author's fusion of rhythm, rhyme and humor.
This version, which arrives at Kingsbury Hall next week, has been reconfigured slightly from its original Broadway format; One tune has been dropped; the story focuses more on young JoJo's adventures in the Jungle of Nool.
"Seussical" marks yet another collaboration by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens, now in their 20th year of collaborating after creating the musical versions of "Ragtime" and "My Favorite Year," plus the acclaimed "Once on This Island" and the comedy "Lucky Stiff," and the animated feature film, "Anastasia."
"This is really a dream come true to play this role," Randall Frizado — Horton the Elephant — said during a telephone interview from backstage at the Spencer Theatre in Alto, N.M. That's where the newly formed national touring company was preparing for its very first preview performances before heading on to Yakima, Wash., and then Salt Lake City. "It's the best show I've ever done in my life — and I've been doing this for 20 years."
Peter Roman, a young actor fresh out of school who is playing the Cat in the Hat, is tackling the same role that Cathy Rigby had in the first national tour. "I'm bringing my own little twist to the part, but I'm definitely not flying. They flew Cathy (with special rigging), but I'm not a gymnast."
For Roman, being in his first national tour of a musical production, is sort of "living like a rock star. Until a couple of days ago, the farthest west I'd been was Sandusky, Ohio." Now he's hyped up to visit 90 cities in 33 states over the next six or so months.
"I read all of the Seuss books growing up and I've always been a big Grinch fan," Roman said, "and, of course, the Cat in the Hat. And I've been told that I have this mischievous look in my eyes — perfect for the Cat."
He is also excited to be involved with a show that was developed by such a talented creative team. He met Ahrens and Flaherty during the auditions in New York. "Then, the next day, I was in the shower singing 'Ragtime' to myself, and it dawned on me that they wrote that."
Although Roman and Frizado are from opposite ends of the country (Roman grew up on Long Island, just outside of New York, and Frizado was reared in the San Jose, Calif., area), both have spent quite a bit of time working in theaters in the Big Apple — not on stage, but ushering and selling concessions.
Frizado sold T-shirts at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where the Broadway version of "Seussical" was playing. "We got to go in and watch the show and it was a great opportunity, I would take pages of notes to study the original Horton on Broadway." Among his previous productions is his own one-man cabaret show, "Songs I'll Never Sing Because I'm Too Fat."
He said that director Stafford Arima, also directed the acclaimed West End production of "Ragtime," has "reimagined" "Seussical," turning it into a play-within-a-play, with the citizens of Whoville banding together to help JoJo, a young lad suffering from the inability to use his imagination. The stories of Horton the Elephant, bashful Gertrude McFuzz and brash Mayzie LaBird are performed by the Whoville residents.
"Seussical" lives up to the "musical" part of its title, with nearly 30 songs — 17 in the first act and 11 more in Act Two.
Frizado said costumes from the original Broadway production are being used in this national tour. Costume designer William Ivey Long has six shows currently on Broadway — "Little Shop of Horrors" and "The Boy from Oz," both of which have just recently opened; "The Producers" (for which he won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards), "Hairspray," "Chicago" and "Cabaret."
If you go
What: Seussical the Musical
Where: Kingsbury Hall
When: Tuesday through Oct. 19; times vary
How much: $20-$50
Phone: 355-3787 or 581-7100
Web site: www.arttix.org
Also: Oct. 20, 4 and 8 p.m., Ellen Eccles Theatre, Logan, $20-$35 (435-752-0026)
E-MAIL: ivan@desnews.com