(The cast and crew of “Seussical” with director Steven Stead and designer Greg King)Rainbow Young Performers’ Project 2011
After a rigorous audition process, the cast has been announced for the 11th annual Rainbow Young Performers’ Project: 2011, Seussical, which will be staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban from July 1 to 17.
Some 27 young performers from high schools throughout KZN have been chosen to perform in the musical. An intense audition process tested their skills in dance, singing and movement. Although the musical will be performed by high school learners, the idea is to ensure that they get a taste of working in a professional arena and to this end, Seussical will be of the highest professional quality.
Hosted by the Performing Arts Network of South Africa, KZN: PANSA, the civic umbrella body for performing artists nationally, Seussical will be directed by award-winning KickstArt director, Steven Stead. The production will be designed by Greg King and Charon Williams Ros will be the vocal coach.
Seussical is billed as “a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza.” It is a sung-through musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty based on the delightful books of Dr Seuss and featuring an array of recognizable characters.
“It’s a piece about imagination. Although it is bold, visual and magical, it is based on very real feelings making it so much more than just a kiddies’ show,” says director Steven Stead.
The show’s plot mirrors that of Horton Hears a Who which centres on Horton the elephant’s endeavours to protect the citizens of Whoville who live on a spec of dust. He has also been tasked to guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the careless Lazy Mayzie. It also features characters and scenarios from many other Seuss books, including the Butter Side Uppers / Downers from the Butter Battle Book and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. The musical’s narrator and commentator, is The Cat in the Hat.
The power of imagination is a strong ingredient in the story – and in so doing the audience is transported from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Horton faces a myriad challenges during his quest. The intrepid Gertrude McFuzz is the only character who recognizes "his kind and his powerful heart," and who doesn’t lose faith in him. Seussical reminds us that the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are worth fighting for.
Taking the lead roles are Candace van Pletzen (Cat in the Hat); Joshua Arnold (Jojo); Blessing Xaba (Horton); Nandisa Ngubelanga (Gertrude) and Amanda Kunene (Mayzie). Shekhinah Donnell is Kangaroo while Delwyn van Jaarsveld and Nicola Mayne are the Mayor and Mayoress.
The 2011 Rainbow Young Performers’ project is scheduled to run from July 1 to 17 this year at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Seussical follows the last ten successful Young Performers musicals, Curtain Up, One Voice, Grease, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Wiz, Annie, School of Rock SA, Big River and Hairspray last year.
Booking is through Computicket. All enquiries can be directed to the PANSA co-ordinator, Domy Cortes, on email: domcortes@gmail.com
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