Rochester Hills

Rochester College theatre department’s latest production debuts Nov. 8

By Mary Beth Almond
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — A variety of Dr. Seuss characters will come alive on stage in the next two weeks as Rochester College’s theatre department performs “Seussical,” by Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Eric Idle.

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and will continue at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 2 p.m. Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18. All productions take place in the Rochester College Theatre at 800 W. Avon Road.

Julayne Hughes, of Rochester College’s department of Music, Theatre, and Visual Art, said “Seussical” features common characters from Dr. Seuss books, such as the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and Jojo — a little boy with a big imagination. The show transports audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

“The musical writers have created a story around all these different characters that is just a lot of fun and a lot of music that’s wonderful for every age. We even have people who’ve bought tickets for their 3-year-old, if they think they can sit through the production, which is about two-and-a-half hours long,” she said.

Auditions for the show were held the first week of September and those selected have been preparing ever since.

Cathhryn Mankiewicz, 19, a music major who has been involved in theatre since her sophomore year of high school, will take on the role of “Lazy Mayzie.”

She encourages community members of all ages to come see the show.

“‘Seussical’ is pure fun,” she said. “I mean, it’s Dr. Seuss, so it’s going to be fun, funny and witty. It’s just a good time.”

Tickets for “Seussical” are $10. To reserve tickets online, visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/HG92PLZ. For tickets, group sales, or more information, call (248) 218-2149 or email theatre@rc.edu. Tickets will also be available at the door, if there is still space in the theatre.

“Sales are going pretty well right now, so people might want to order them in advance,” Hughes said. “This particular musical is laid back, and the music is wonderful, so people who come to see it will have a lot of fun.”

For general information about the musical, the theatre department and its other offerings, visit www.rc.edu/rctheatre.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at malmond@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1060.