Theater Group Gears Up For Colorful Performance

SEBRING - Highlands Little Theatre patrons will have a chance to decide for themselves whether bread should be buttered from the bottom or top in its latest production.

Performances of "Suessical the Musical" at the intimate local venue will run from Jan. 18 to Feb. 2.

A cast of almost 40 actors will examine the buttering question, along with several intriguing other issues from the mischievous and playful slant of children's book author Dr. Suess.

The book is by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and the music is by Flaherty.

Play director Mike McMillian said before Thursday's dress rehearsal that the two-hour musical (including intermission) isn't just for kids.

Adult themes concerning the environment, racism, war and non-traditional families might fly over the heads of the younger crowd, said McMillian, though kids and their parents will both be wowed by seeing more than 20 Suess books colorfully interpreted through 30 songs.

Much of the cast is composed of children, many in their first stage roles, at the community theater. The cast features seven families with multiple cast members.

HLT veteran Jennifer Westergom shares the stage as the Cat in the Hat, alongside her son, 11-year-old Austin Westergom (Jo Jo).

Austin has professional acting experience in television commercials, but this is his first chance to sing and dance on stage alongside adults. The mother and son team enjoyed spending extra time together during four months of rehearsals.

"Working with your own child is always trying," said Jennifer. "I started helping him, but found that doesn't work so well and pulled back. While we talk to each other after every practice, I just give him hints and let the music director, choreographer and director teach."

The Sebring Middle School sixth grader said he enjoys becoming the center of attention, while following in his mother's footsteps.

"I see progression every single day," said Austin, about learning to act, sing and dance on stage. "It helps when it's your mom, you learn a little more."

The bright and colorful musical features several lead actors.

"When adults look at you and say, 'You're the lead of the play,' there's pressure from so many adults," He said. "They're not your friends, but it's great that they're looking up to you and you're looking up to them."

Lead actor and teaching student at University of South Florida, Josh McGhee, plays Horton the Elephant. He enjoys acting with children.

"I'm very impressed with their stage presence and acting - especially Austin," said McGhee. "Getting to work with kids is not too much different than my normal studies to become a teacher. I don't get to see this kind of talent often."

Fifteen-year-old Anna Schmidt (Bird Girl) is a Sebring High School 10th grader who most enjoys world history class.

"Acting with adults makes you feel like you're respected," said Schmidt. "I'm staying up late and boosting my responsibilities up. This gets you ready for the big world."

Music director Tracy Schuknecht, of Sebring, said the crew spoke with the children actors prior to casting and talked about the responsibilities and work required.

"I understand the experience and I can relate to them," said the former child actress. "They're doing what we asked them to do."

McMillian and Schuknecht both agreed that the music and lyrics fuel Suessical.

"The whole story is in the music,"said McMillian. "If you blow it, they don't see the story. While we have cool costumes, cool choreography and sets, we tried to keep the focus on the music."

Schuknecht said the score features several styles of music. It was complicated for the actors.

"Even though the music was difficult, we worked hard," said the music director.

Kelly Pelham plays Gertrude McFuzz and is a 19-year-old South Florida Community College student studying social work, while dreaming of hitting the Broadway stage.

She loves to look into the audience when acting and see the smiling faces, and enjoys working with children.

"I love kids,"said Pelham. "Just to see it through their eyes - to see the kids in the show get excited by the music, acting and everything is wonderful.

Molly Widolff (Mayzie) teaches at Woodlawn Elementary and is acting in her first community theater production.

"I'm not the teacher here," said Widolff. "I'm here to help as much as possible, but I had to step back and wait to be asked."

HLT Zenon award winner for Best Actress for her role in My Fair lady, and 23-year old nurse, Tiffany Elliot, plays "Sour Kangaroo."

"I know kinda what they're going through," said the former child actress. "It's all new - they're learning - but still, it's a learning process."

Gene Lorandeau II (Wickersham Brother) said his favorite Suess book was "Green Eggs and Ham." The 17-year old Sebring High School student said he wants to dance professionally.

"Your heart starts racing when you first step on stage, but when the performance is over and everyone is clapping for you, you're so proud of yourself."

Nikki McDaniel, (Mayor's wife) will sing and dance on stage for the first time for a paying audience Friday night, alongside her husband , Steve McDaniel who stars in three roles.

"Normally, we don't spend a lot of time together," said the three-year wed Nikki. "I'm learning from other cast members and a little from (Steve),"

"He's letting me discover and explore for myself."