Get ready for laughter and rhyme with Dr Seuss!
Directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith are delighted to get this 2019 Children’s Theatre year, at The Peoples Theatre, underway with a bang, bringing children, parents and all those with a love of joy and laughter together, for a rollicking theatre experience with the fabulous Broadway show Seussical the Musical Jr.
Previews begin on 4 March 2019, with the official opening on Sunday, 10 March 2019, at the Peoples Theatre. Seussical the Musical Jr. runs aptly through the school holidays, with the final performance on Sunday, 28 April 2019.
Based on the much-loved Dr. Seuss books, Seussical the Musical Jr. draws its characters from a number of books. It is filled with non-stop music, laughter and feel-good fun.
Dr. Seuss has been a children’s favourite author for over 60 years and is loved for his use of language, rhyme and humour. The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham and many more, have been the stepping stones to reading for many children and introduced them to a wonderful range of characters and positive concepts.
Girard and Smith say that The Peoples Theatre strives to educate younger minds, in order to create a stronger generation through the medium of theatre, further adding that it is fun to have fun, but you have to know how – this is their motivation in directing this marvellous production.
Designer Grant Knottenbelt will be bringing Dr. Seuss’s unmistakable, quirky pages to stage with his set design. Merry Whillier and Sean McGrath will tickle the audiences’ imagination, with their costume design. Sandy Richardson Dyer choreographs a superb cast of actors and is sure to even get audience’s feet moving in time, to the catchy tunes.
The Cat in the Hat and the Sour Kangaroo, will be played by rising newcomers Katlego Nche and Megan Spencer respectively, and will bring their wit and charm to these synonymous characters. Nche says audiences should expect the unexpected, but they will definitely fall in love this with cat!
Luciano Zuppa brings his wide-ranging theatre experience to the character of Horton. Lovable to the end, this kind-hearted elephant is a hero with a message, and not to be missed. Masego Mothibakgomo plays the quirky Gertrude McFuzz, and another People’s Theatre favourite Nonhlanhla Mkhonto, plays the effervescent Mayzie. Thokozani Jiyane, who charmed in Annie Jr, returns to the Peoples Theatre as Mr. Mayor and is sure to delight the audience again.
Girard and Smith state they have combined the funniest stories and craziest Dr. Seuss creatures in this unique blend of rhyme, rhythm and sensational music score. Smith continues, saying that Dr. Seuss is bound to appeal to children of all ages and abilities, encouraging them to think and be creative. “Oh, the places this show will take your imagination!”
Seussical the Musical Jr:
Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex
From Sunday 10 March 2019 to Sunday 28 April 2019.
Performance times are Monday to Friday, at 9:00 and 11:00 and Saturdays, at 10:30 and 14.30, as well as on some Sundays and Public Holidays.
Ticket prices are R140 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club.
Discounts for school bookings apply, with tickets being R80 per person.
For bookings, call Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or email info@peoplestheatre.co.za
Alternatively, bookings can be made online at www.joburgtheatre.com or through Webtickets.