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Green Eggs and Ham Sizzle on the Stage of the Poplar Pike Playhouse
Even if you’ve ever muttered the words, “I do not like green eggs and ham,” the Poplar Pike Playhouse has cooked up a treat that will certainly appeal to your tastes. On Thursday, May 6th, the PPP finally unveiled the much-anticipated Memphis and Mid-South premiere of Seussical the Musical. This fresh new show practically leaps off the stage in a burst of color, style, and song. The Poplar Pike players have again created a production that succeeds beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.
A musical extravaganza filled with toe-tapping tunes, Seussical borrows its plot directly from the characters and occurrences in various Dr. Seuss children’s books. In fact, Seussical integrates the storylines from more than 20 of Seuss’ works, using each tiny town and bizarre species of creature as inspiration. The result is a production that takes the audience on an unpredictable ride through the depths of fantasy, from the miniature houses of Whoville to the wild greenery of the Jungle of Nool.
Leading the audience through the musical’s twists and turns is Dr. Seuss’ most well- known character, the Cat in the Hat, played delightfully by Erin Williams. The show’s narrator, the puckish Cat drives the action of the play, creating mischief on the stage at the snap of her fingers. Morphing from the ringleader of a circus to a brassy, jazz-playing pianist to a rambling auctioneer, the Cat disappears and reappears as various ensemble parts throughout the production. Williams portrays this madcap character with energy and exuberance, exhibiting tremendous versatility as an actress.
Following this feral feline on her chaotic adventures is the wide-eyed JoJo, a young boy thrown into the action of the play without any forewarning. At the will of the Cat, the boy becomes part of Dr. Seuss stories that he’s only read of in books. 11-year old Germantown Middle School student Cooper McKelroy fits this role perfectly. McKelroy not only impresses as an actor, but also delivers captivating vocal performances throughout the show. His character’s innocence and naïveté when faced with an entirely foreign “Seussian” world enhances the show’s air of creative and whimsical energy.
Weaving a classic love story between the Cat’s moments of mayhem are seniors Jake DeFur and Stephanie Forshee, the actors responsible for bringing Horton the Elephant and Gertrude McFuzz to life. The two handle some of the show’s most poignant musical numbers, such as “Alone in the Universe” and “Notice Me, Horton”. DeFur’s baritone voice paired with Forshee’s steep vocal range create a moving parable of a love-struck bird trying to catch the eye of a charming, but unnoticing elephant.
The Wickersham Brothers, an unruly trio of monkeys, rock the Jungle of Nool with their cruel tricks and monkey business. David Lawhon, Jeremy Byrd, and Mario Pendarvis “monkey around” with ease and style in their roles as the three princes of the Jungle.
The Queen of Nool, the Sour Kangaroo, is played by Tricia Mickens. Mickens gives a soulful performance as the show’s sassy jungle diva. The sultry Mayzie La Bird, played by PPP veteran Kirie Taylor, commands the spotlight with her brassy, salsa song and dance numbers. She is supported by the flamboyant feathered chorus of Melissa Tillman, Stephanie Shotwell, and Courtney Mickens whose harmonies and fantastic dance rhythms add extra spice to a number of scenes.
Jeffrey Ingram and Séra Babakus play the Mayor and Mrs. Mayor of the tiny town of Whoville. Parents will relate to the two characters and their struggle to uncover the instructions on how to raise their troublemaking child. The grumpy old Grinch, played by Corinne Germain, makes his debut on the Poplar Pike Playhouse stage to return Christmas to the town of Who. Germain performs memorably in her reenactment of the classic Christmas tale.
While the show’s actors drive the storyline, Seussical achieves equal success in the execution of its technical aspects. Stylized movement and dance coordinated by choreographers Elizabeth Anne Brown and Ashleigh Siegfried Williams ignite numbers like “How Lucky You Are” , “Havin’ a Hunch” and “Anything’s Possible”, and morph the show’s actors into jungle creatures, tiny people, fish, and circus performers. A skilled orchestra under the direction of conductor Lanny Byrd tackles a potpourri of musical styles from funk to jazz to tin pan alley. Musical director Mary Lee Gilliland is responsible for the show’s impressive display of vocal talent.
The creative vision of director E. Frank Bluestein and co-director Leonid Mazor, and associates Ashleigh Williams and Jeff White, has produced a three-dimensional re-creation of Dr. Seuss’s universe that radiates wonder and whimsy while staying firmly grounded in the very real humanity that defines Seussical’s characters. Creating more than 300 costumes, the design crew led by Brenda Bluestein, Peggy Burgan, Lynnette Gilbert, and Casey Smith create scene after scene of wacky wardrobes. Spiraling set pieces and twirling patterns conceived by scenic designer Mary K. VanGieson and with technical direction by Jack House and Joe Haslwanter, along with technical supervision by Andy Johnson and Chris Hair, give the audience a never-ending supply of eye-candy. Hand-made props created and designed by the mother-son team of Shirley and Dusty Evans heighten the show’s storybook effect. Lighting design by Waheed AlQawasmi and Bobby Ramsay succeeds in painting the stage with dynamic color and exuberance, along with Adam Winfrey who does a brilliant job executing the sound effects for the show. The production’s revolving stage and obvious technical complexity are handled seamlessly by stage managers Catie Broadwater and Laura Galindez. Facilitating extensive character makeovers and dramatic hairstyles is make-up designer Ernie Newbern along with make-up chair Lauren Brandt. Ted Horrell and Allison Rogers serve as house coordinators for Seussical. Amy Hagan and Desireé Cisernos are scenic artists.
You won’t want to miss the Memphis/Mid-South premiere of this incredibly imaginative and inventive musical. Put green eggs and ham on your menu for May!
Tickets for Seussical are now on sale. The show runs through May 22nd. For information, call the Poplar Pike Playhouse box office at 755-7775 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Poplar Pike Playhouse is the theatre complex located on the campus of Germantown High School. The corporate sponsor for the production is Trust One Bank.
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