Are you a fanatic of all things Seuss? Have you read Dr. Seuss’ No.1 book? No. 2 book? His red book? Blue book? Oh, the place you’ll want to go, then, is Bishop Noll Institute, site of Seussical the Musical the next two weekends.
The BNI Drama Department is performing Seussical as its annual spring musical on the weekends of March 13, 14, 15 and March 20, 21, 22 in the school’s 512-seat auditorium.
Friday and Saturday performances are scheduled for 7 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for students and children.
“Seussical is a high-energy show with lots of color and fun,” said Director Kevin Burgun of the Bishop Noll faculty. “It’s mostly about imagination and how important imagination is to us, and it celebrates all of Dr. Seuss’ creative work, with certain elements from each of his classics.
“It’s a classic story with ups and downs and humor, and it’s a great family show. It’ll be so fun, you’ll be humming the songs on the way home.”
The play unfolds largely through the storytelling of The Cat in the Hat (Hailey DeWolf), who reveals how Horton the Elephant (Steven Gonzalez) discovers the people of Whoville living on a speck of dust. The musical also features JoJo (Julia Fugger), Mayzie LaBird (Tianna Orr), Gertrude McFuzz (Celia Seiser), the Grinch (Anastasija Malisic), Yertle the Turtle (Frank Calzoni), Mr. Mayor (Warren McReynolds) and other favorite Dr. Seuss creations.
Burgun stresses how Bishop Noll students are able to take ownership of major roles in the production, and not just roles in costume.
For instance, senior Hannah Pleasant, a member of BNI’s state finals-bound dance team, choreographed the entire show. Students Katrina Schillacci is the crew chief, Yazmine Acevez is the head of props, and Danielle Flores is the head of costumes.
“Danielle is a junior, and she is actually hand-making many of the costumes herself from scratch,” Burgun said. “And Yazmine’s team is hand-building many of the props.
“I love watching the students grow and learn and develop into these roles and these crafts. That’s what I love most about high school theater.”
Also helping direct the play are faculty members David Herr as vocal director and Rocco Carioto as pit band director.
The performances will take place at the school, 1519 Hoffman Street, in Hammond.
The Friday night performances offer playgoers an opportunity to enjoy dinner and a show, as the Bishop Noll Lenten fish fry takes place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria, across the hall from the theater. The fish fry offers pollock, ocean perch, shrimp and mixed platter dinners, plus salads, side dishes, desserts and a beverage – but no green eggs or ham!