Clear Space's 'Seussical' to run twice weekly through August

As part of its summer repertory, the Clear Space Theatre Company at 20 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach is offering visiting families an engaging evening of theatre with its production of "Seussical," a musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty based on the timeless tales of Dr. Seuss. "Seussical" will show at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, and in rotation twice a week through August.

The show cleverly manages to use Seuss's Cat in the Hat to tell the story of Horton the Elephant, all while uniquely integrating a host of other Seuss characters like the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Gertrude McFuzz, Yertle the Turtle, and the Hunches as well as references to other Seuss delights: McElligot's Pool, Solla Sollew, Oh the Thinks You Can Think, The Butter Battle, Oh the Places You'll Go, and Green Eggs and Ham.

According to "Seussical" director and Clear Space Artistic Director David Button, "'Seussical' is perfect for imaginative kids. 'Seussical' is about bringing the imagination to life," he said. "Everything from the high-energy dancing to the colorful set and costumes to the moving lights and quirky sound effects, the design team has created a spectacle for not only children, but also adults."

The show features actors from across the country who have united to bring each character to life for the audience. The Cat In The Hat is a wildly energetic, trouble-instigator who takes on many different hilarious personas and characters throughout 'Seussical,' said Andrew Cuccaro, a theatre student from upstate New York who has taken on this iconic Seuss character. "He acts as the emcee for the whole show, thinking up all of the other characters and antics with Jojo."

Anneliese Pajewski, a senior musical theatre student from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia who plays Mrs. Mayor, sees much of her own childhood in the show. "One of the things I think people love about the show is seeing the familiar characters they grew up with [and in my case learned to read with] on stage in this whole new story."

The theatre's other two summer rep productions are "Rent" and "Grease." For a complete schedule and ticket information call 302-227-2270 or go to www.clearspacetheatre.org.