Zach gets Seussical

It’s the Horton books that give Seussical its framework as well as its second challenge, that of adapting storybooks into a two-act play. The beauty of these books, beyond the illustrations and clever rhymes, is how they encompass useful themes and morals in the space of a bedtime story. As seen in the film adaptations of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat and the Hat, it’s incredibly difficult to stretch these stories out to feature length without padding them with unnecessary backstory or un-Seuss-like stabs at adult humor. Seussical avoids that latter trap, but weaves both Horton books together, gives a b-story to Jojo the over-imaginative Who, makes short-story subject Gertrude McFuzz a love interest for our pachyderm protagonist, and throws in over 25 songs, which, despite their varied styles, are all either treacly or forgettable. It’s a whole lot to take in during a brisk hour-and-a-half—though at that pace there’s not a lot of time for the kids to start squirming.

Seussical is mostly for the kids, and as far as family entertainment goes, you can do much, much worse. It isn't, however, a nostalgia trip for adults, but those with even the tiniest shred of pop cultural awareness will find something enjoy in José Villarreal’s shape-shifting Cat in the Hat. And while its fascinating to see these characters out of their original settings, Seussical reinforces the notion that those settings are where they thrive.

It's not the best "My First Musical" experience, but small theatre-goers will enjoy Seussical's swift pace and bright visuals, while Mom and Dad delight in the brightest members of its ensemble.