Classic children's characters come to life in 'Seussical: The Musical' at River View

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·3 min read
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WARSAW − Universal themes and classic characters everyone knows is the draw for the annual spring musical at River View High School, according to cast members.

Darrian Besancon plays Horton the Elephant in the River View High School presentation of "Seussical: The Musical" based on the classic children's books of Dr. Seuss. Horton hears the Whos of Whoville who live on a flower and seeks to protect them when nobody else believes him.
Darrian Besancon plays Horton the Elephant in the River View High School presentation of "Seussical: The Musical" based on the classic children's books of Dr. Seuss. Horton hears the Whos of Whoville who live on a flower and seeks to protect them when nobody else believes him.

"Seussical: The Musical" debuted on Broadway in 2000 and combines several stories of famed children's book author Dr. Seuss. Primary characters include the Cat in the Hat, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz and Horton the Elephant. Kevin Chamberlin received a Tony Award nomination as Horton in the original production.

Much like the books the play is based on, themes include the importance of imagination, compassion, friendship and accepting others for who they are.

Director Mary McMullen said she always looks for a play that fits the actors she has. There are 24 students on stage and another dozen helping behind the scenes.

Hollee Sheneman as the Cat in the Hat and Lanie Nickerson as JoJo in the "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School.
Hollee Sheneman as the Cat in the Hat and Lanie Nickerson as JoJo in the "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School.

She also wanted something that would appeal to youth. That was a bit of a theme across Coshocton County this year as Coshocton High School staged "James and the Giant Peach: The Musical" and Ridgewood had "Matilda: The Musical."

"The more I read and listened and look at 'Seussical,' it had a lot of lessons to teach. A lot of people know Dr. Seuss and the music is great," McMullen said. "It's something bright and fun and colorful and will help to bring in our younger crowd to experience theater."

The cast of "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School rehearse a scene. Performances are Friday and Saturday.
The cast of "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School rehearse a scene. Performances are Friday and Saturday.

Senior Hollee Sheneman stars as the Cat in the Hat who takes a little boy into the world of Dr. Seuss. It was the part she wanted as the Cat is mischievous and funny. Her favorite song is "Solla Sollew."

"It's colorful. It's fun. And it's not just for kids, it's for the adults too. It has a really great message," Sheneman said of the play.

Junior Lanie Nickerson plays the little boy who meets the Cat in the Hat and is assimilated into the fantasy world as JoJo, the son of the mayor of Whoville. Nickerson is interested in arts and music, so she can relate to the story of JoJo learning to let his imagination run wild and how that's not such a bad thing, as his parents originally believe. Her favorite number is "Havin' a Hunch," which she helped to choreograph.

"At the end, the imagination is now thought of as a good thing," she said. "I absolutely love the idea of letting your imagination run wild...The fact that JoJo goes through things where it's 'no, you're not allowed to' and then it's celebrated by the end, is just such a cool character development."

This scene from "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School has the animals of the jungle doubt that Horton the Elephant, played by Darrian Besancon, really hears something or someone living on a flower.
This scene from "Seussical: The Musical" at River View High School has the animals of the jungle doubt that Horton the Elephant, played by Darrian Besancon, really hears something or someone living on a flower.

Senior Darrian Besancon plays Horton the Elephant, who hears the Whos living on a flower and is committed to helping them even though nobody else believes him of their existence. He's thrilled to play the lovable and compassionate pachyderm. His favorite tune is "Alone in the Universe."

"I've enjoyed the challenge. I have so many lines and so many songs to memorize," he said. "It's fun to try and be someone you're not and it gives you a lot of character."

The cast features Savannah Babcock, Darrian Besancon, Taylor Brehm, Leah Copenhaver, Nevaeh Craycraft, Lacee Garvin, Gavin Guilliams, Madison Hagans, Georgia Haines, Zoe Hardesty, Natalie Huston, Brody Johnson, Jillian Johnson, Camryn Kaercher, DJ Kaser, Dalyn Lemon, Kynsingten McMasters, Isabell Meyers, Lanie Nickerson, Paris Peterson, Kaila Reigle, Addelynn Roberson, Hollee Sheneman and Marissa Sheneman.

"Seussical: The Musical" will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the auditorium of River View High School, 26496 Ohio 60. Doors for the Cat Café open at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 and are available online at rvmusicboxoffice.com. Any still available tickets can be purchased at the door. Donations are also being accepted for the show and music boosters. For more information, call the school at 740-824-3522 or email musical.rvhs@gmail.com.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: River View High School will present 'Seussical: The Musical'