LOVELOCK- Dress rehearsals for the local production of the musical "Seussical Jr." revealed budding vocal and theatrical talent at Lovelock Elementary School.
For two months, a cast of more than 30 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students have rehearsed the production under the direction of school principal Rhea Murphy, computer teacher Tim Wuth and school psychologist Sandy Condie.
Melodic renditions of "A person's a person, no matter how small" and other musical refrains generated a few tears during Friday's back-to-back rehearsals.
"When we see the first run-through, it makes us cry," said Condie. "The show gives students a chance to showcase talent they can tap into later."
"It's a junior version of the original based on Dr. Seuss children's books," said co-director Wuth. "It's one of those famous productions that everyone wants to do because it's fun for the kids. It uses fun characters with funny words and costumes."
"Just look at the kids - they're having a blast," Condie said. "I've had parents tell me that it brings bashful and shy kids out of their shell."
Leading the cast are 11-year-old vocalists Ashlyn Lusby as Horton the Elephant, Faith Happy as Gertrude McFuzz, Katirae Cerini as the Cat in the Hat and Paisley McKay as Mayzie La Bird.
The musical is the school's third annual production on the Pershing County High School stage. Last year's production of "Annie" was a hit, Wuth said. "We packed this place."
Money raised by last year's ticket sales helped pay for this year's production, including the $800 needed for costumes, new stage lighting and a lighting control board.
Jennifer Montes has worked long hours on more than 30 custom-fitted costumes for the show. The costumes are "free-hand" designs made without patterns, she said. During preparations for Friday's dress rehearsals, Montes said she slept about 11 hours in four days.
"I do my best work at 3 a.m."
Other students are working the technical side of the show as stage hands, spotlight, sound and light board operators.
Friday's rehearsals came on what would have been the 108th birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as children's book author Dr. Seuss. He died in 1991 at the age of 87 but some fans continue to celebrate his birthday.
"Seussical Jr." combines characters from some of his books including "Horton Hatches the Egg" and "Horton Hears a Who." The play is a shorter, children's version of the original Broadway play "Seussical the Musical" and a popular theater production in schools around the country.
A three-dimensional, animated movie version of a Dr. Seuss book "The Lorax" opened in theaters last weekend.
Tickets for this week's two performances of "Seussical Jr." are $3 on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. in the Pershing County High School auditorium.
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