“Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza!” said Mr. Morris. “All of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination, Jojo, are brought to life on stage. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.”
The Dover High School Musical of 2026 is Seussical the Musical. The shows are at 7pm at Dover High School auditorium on the nights March 19th, 20th, and 21st. The tickets are $10 at the door and the entrance is at the front doors of the high school. The stars of the show include The Cat in the Hat, played by Noah Beachy, Jojo, played by Max Cooley, and Horton the Elephant, played by Silas Fannin. Other main characters from the jungle of Nool include Gertrude McFuzz, played by Peyton Grafe, Mayzie La Bird, played by Cadence Mitchell, Sour Kangaroo, by Laney Gottshall, and Young Kangaroo, played by Delaney Nottingham. On a smaller, mightier level are the stars of Who: General Gengus Khan Schmitz, played by Nick White, Mr. Mayor, played by Aiden Witt, and Mrs. Mayor, played by Maddie Minnis.
In the ensemble are the Bird Girls: Luci Johnson, Ashtyn Scott, Meghan Ravine, Kyra Immel, Tatum Tylke, and Elle Hall, the Wickershams: Brody Warne, Lyela Miller, Adlee Klaiber, and Elyse Zeedyk, the Jungle Creatures: Emily Flood, Allie Hamsher, Teisha Clay, Rowen Smith, and Marlie-Rae Libby, and the Who’s: Makayla Troyer, Jake Hershberger, Cassidy McKee, Abigail Mason, Elizabeth Hershberger, Kadence Wilkinson, Joslynn Clay, and Jay Brown. Jay Brown plays the Grinch, and Emily Flood plays Vlad Vladicoff and Yertle the Turtle.
Here was what some of the main cast had to say about the show:
“It’s fun. I like the opening number and getting to start the show and how everyone comes to join Noah and me,” commented Max Cooley, who plays Jojo.
“My favorite part of this show is seeing all the characters I grew up reading coming to life to make a beautiful story, and it’s such a unique experience to be THE cat and create all the mischief that I loved as a kid,” said Noah Beachy, who plays The Cat in the Hat.
“It is full of excitement, wonder, and joy,” mentioned Nick White, who plays General Gengus Khan Schmitz “[I like it] whenever Noah Beachy reenacts the fight scene, and Jojo runs on stage. It’s fun.”
“It’s really fun because I think as a freshman it’s fun to be part of a group and be friends with upperclassmen and be a part of this environment,” mentioned Maddie Minnis, playing Mrs. Mayor. “I think it’s a fun show because of all of the dancing and group numbers.”
“It’s just fun being with other people and friends,” stated Aiden Witt, playing Mr. Mayor. “I like Solla Sollew, it’s one of the most lyrical songs, and I like singing.”
“It is very fun to be a main character in the musical and the villain of the show, creating a sassy, fun character,” exclaimed Laney Gottshall, playing Sour Kangaroo. “My favorite part of the show is the end scene when Horton and I are in a court trial.”
“It’s great,” responded Peyton Grafe, playing Gertrude McFuzz. “I feel like it’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding. I feel like Gertrude is a very unique character, and I just love being in a big role in the show. My favorite part of the show is meeting new people, making friendships, and getting to portray a large role and performing.”
“My favorite part about the show is that it is very much student-driven,” said Cadence Mitchell, playing Mayzie La Bird. “We all work hard to do our part, not only on stage, but also backstage. It takes a lot to put on a show, and I love getting to see the process behind the scenes.”
“I really enjoy the community and group of fellow actors that I work with; they are all supportive and kind and make the musical feel like less of a workload,” mentioned Silas Fannin, playing Horton the Elephant.
The musical is a fun opportunity for high school students to perform on stage. It is an extraordinary experience which includes a pit orchestra, lights, curtains, sound effects, dancing, singing, and so much more. People who come to see it are not only watching an experience, but also supporting the Dover High School Theatre community. Please come and enjoy the show!
