The Oxford High School Theatre Department put on “Seussical” on March 4 through March 6. “Seussical” is a musical that combines a plethora of Dr. Seuss’s books into one story. Director John Davenport decided to put on “Seussical” as the fourth show of the school year.
“We did it 22 years ago, and it was hot off the press,” Davenport said. “I just kind of randomly revisited the score, the soundtrack, and I was reminded how great the music is, and I thought the message of the show was very timely. Dr. Ardrey and I talked about it, and this year was just the right time for it.”
Davenport has taken a new direction with the high school production of “Seussical,” putting a new twist on the story for the audience. Davenport wanted to celebrate the encouragement of imagination found in Dr. Seuss’s work.
“We had a different production concept for the show back in November,” Davenport said. “Literally two days before we started rehearsals, I wasn’t satisfied. There was something about that concept that I was uncomfortable with, or that I couldn’t see through the end of the plot, so I got an inspiration for something brand new.”
Changing the show with very little time posed challenges and created extra pressure for the production team. Despite this, it also allowed for more creative freedom among the team.
“We weren’t sure 100% if the concept was going to really work until we just got in there and started playing with it, and that’s what’s been fun about it,” Davenport said.
Along with creative hiccups, “Seussical” also faced challenges with scheduling rehearsals and staying on track with preparation. The ice storm that hit Oxford threw off rehearsals for “Seussical,” as well as cast members getting the flu.
“We had to move the schedule around so much because people were getting sick,” senior Meredith Walker, stage manager for “Seussical,” said. “It was a really big cast, so sometimes people forgot to check their schedules and they didn’t come to rehearsal when they were supposed to. The biggest challenge was just making sure everyone was present and they knew what they were supposed to be doing.”
Even though “Seussical” had difficulties over the course of its preparation, the cast and crew were proud of their production and were excited to see the audience’s reactions.
“Every single one of the principal casts’ solos are incredible, and I get to sit on stage and watch a lot of it,” senior Eden Brooks Bodie, “Seussical” cast member, said. “I’m just in awe every night.”
Bodie’s role is particularly important in this production of “Seussical.” Bodie plays JoJo, a young boy from the story of “Horton Hears a Who.” Davenport has altered parts of Bodie’s character as a part of his new concept for the show.
“Along with being JoJo, I’m also another character that is revealed later,” Bodie said. “I was excited for people to see how Mr. Davenport has changed [the musical] from the typical Seussical.”
Bodie has done crew on almost all of the high school’s musical productions for the last four years. This is only her second time acting in a show.
“This is my first play I’ve done since freshman year,” Bodie said. “Definitely stage fright and getting over other people’s opinions was a challenge.”
This is a challenge for many members of the cast but most feel that theatre provides a comfortable environment for them, helping them overcome stage fright.
“They’re all so nice, crew and cast,” Bodie said. “I am able to just kind of forget about everything. I’m just that character for a little bit, and it helps that the character that I am is a little kid because I can just have fun and not care about stuff for a little bit.”
So many people have found their place and group of people through Oxford High School theatre. Productions bring these people together, and they are able to have fun while putting on a show.
“I feel like before I did theater, I wished I did a sport or something because those people know each other so well,” Walker said. “When I started doing theater, I found my group of people.”
“Seussical” being such a big cast and crew created more of a fun environment for the members. Walker said they had experiences that would have never happened with a smaller cast.
“It’s fun because there’s a wider range of grades, so I get to know some people who are freshmen and sophomores,” Walker said.
The cast and crew put a lot of effort and time into making their production of “Seussical” all they wanted it to be. This was their most difficult production of the year, and they are very proud of how it turned out.
“Of the shows we have this year, this is the one I’ve been most looking forward to just because I love the creativity behind it, I love the music, and I love the story,” Davenport said.
