NMCC students bring Dr. Suess characters to life in musical

The Cat in the Hat (Catherine White) is joined by the cast of "Seussical" singing "The Things You Can Think" to JoJo (Deekota Polk, far right) during a recent rehearsal. Students at New Madrid County Central High School will present the musical April 11, 12 and 13 at the High School. Tickets are $5 and available at the High School Office. Jill Bock, Staff

NEW MADRID - The Cat in the Hat has come back.

And this time he is singing and dancing with his friends Horton the elephant, Maizie the lazy bird, Cindi Lou Who and even the Grinch.

Students at New Madrid County Central High School will bring these characters and others to life in the musical, "Seussical" on stage April 11, 12 and 13.

The musical is a blending of the books of Dr. Seuss, bringing the characters the audience and actors remember to life, explained the show's director Drew Hartenberger, who is in her second year teaching at NMCC.

Acknowledging that she had big shoes to fill after the retirement of long-time choir instructor Judy Henry, Hartenberger said she picked "Seussical" knowing it wasn't quite as well-known as past school productions.

"I wanted to do something completely different from what had been done before," she said. "Something to get the elementary kids or the students with younger siblings excited.

"I've always loved Dr. Seuss. I'm a big pusher of imagination" Hartenberger said adding,

"It is such a fun musical."

For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.