A musical perfect for the whole family, JR takes us into the world of Dr. Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters including , , Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo.

The Cat in the Hat guides us into The Jungle of Nool where we see Horton, the kind-hearted elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing . He meets JoJo, a Who child reprimanded for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton decides he must protect the speck of dust on a nearby clover, while at the same time protecting an abandoned egg left to his care by the lazy Mayzie la Bird. Horton tries to convince the other animals in The Jungle of the existence of the Whos, but he is ridiculed and put on trial for insanity. Only his loyal neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him and eventually, the two fall in love.

Seussical JR weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude band together to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool. Seussical JR teaches us the power of being unique, and the importance of fighting for your beliefs.

JoJo Ela Gozen Cat in the Hat Erin Dalrymple Horton the Elephant Gianni Marcantonio Gertrude McFuzz Emily Surtees Mayzie Le Bird Scarlett Bahnsen Sour Kangaroo, Who Amy-Rose Cooper Mr Mayor, Frog Dante Bahnsen Mrs Mayor, Wickersham Brother Amber Thiara Young Kangaroo, Who Ruby Thiara Young Kangaroo, Who Erin Dormer Wickersham Brother, Who Cuinn Harrop Wickersham Brother, Who Jorja Kennedy Bird Girl, Who Bethany Gadd Judge Yertle the Turtle, Who Aayan Hoque Vlad Vladikoff, The Elliot Dawson Ela Gozen Erin Dalrymple Gianni Marcantonio Emily Surtees

Scarlett Bahnsen Amy-Rose Cooper Dante Bahnsen Amber Thiara

Ruby Thiara Erin Dormer Cuinn Harrop Jorja Kennedy

Bethany Gadd Aayan Hoque Elliot Dawson Act 1

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think Cat & company Horton Hears a Who Horton & company Biggest Blame Fool Sour Kangaroo and company Here on Who Mr Mayor, Mrs Mayor & Whos Meet Jojo the Who Mr Mayor & Mrs Mayor How to Raise a Child Mr Mayor & Mrs Mayor Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (Reprise) Cat & Jojo It's Possible Jojo & company Alone in the Universe Horton & Jojo The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz Gertrude Amazing Mayzie Mayzie & company Amazing Gertrude Gertrude & company There will be a 20 minute Interval Act 2

Monkey Around/ Chasing the Whos Wickersham Brothers & company Notice Me, Horton Gertrude & Horton How Lucky You Are Mayzie & Cat Horton Sits on the Egg/ Dilemma/ Hunters Company Egg, Nest, and Tree Company Sold Company Mayzie in Palm Beach Mayzie & Cat Amazing Horton Mayzie Alone in the Universe (Reprise 1) Horton Solla Sollew Horton & Company Gertrude/Espionage Gertrude All for You Gertrude & company The Whos Return/ The People Versus Horton the Judge, Cat, Horton & company Elephant YOPP! Company Alone in the Universe (Reprise 2) Gertrude & Horton Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! (Finale) Company Company

No photographs or recordings are allowed to be taken during the show Acknowledgements Young Thespians would like to thank all those people who have assisted with the production. Nicole Georges Claire Bailes Charlotte Platten Francesca Platten Director Musical Director Choreographer Choreographer

Sarah Bailes Haydn Mullane Production Manager Stage Manager

Lighting & Sound Alan Bailes, Nicole Georges, Katherine Instone-Cowie & Luke Jones Set Design Rosemary Bianchi and Isaac Evans Set Building Philippa Tadman, Cliff Gulbis, Neil Leggat, Haydn Mullane, Viv Stephenson Costumes Sarah Bailes Props Jo Mackay and the Company Make-up and Hair Donna Barrett Marie Marcantonio & Jenna Knight Chaperones Marie Marcantonio, Jenna knight and Hannah Woodhouse Front of House Manager Sarah Cunningham Box Office Nick & Nicky Morgan Bar Manager Sue Osbourn Programme Editor Alan Bailes Programme Photographs Naomi and Hannah Woodhouse Theodor Seuss "Ted" Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991) was an American children's author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Doctor Seuss (abbreviated Dr. Seuss). His work includes many of the most popular children's books of all time, selling over 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death.

Geisel adopted the name "Dr. Seuss" as an undergraduate at Dartmouth College and as a graduate student at Lincoln College, Oxford. He left Oxford in 1927 to begin his career as an illustrator and cartoonist for Vanity Fair, Life, and various other publications. He also worked as an illustrator for advertising campaigns, most notably for FLIT and Standard Oil, and as a political cartoonist for the New York newspaper PM. He published his first children's book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street in 1937. During World War II, he took a brief hiatus from children's literature to illustrate political cartoons, and he also worked in the animation and film department of the United States Army where he wrote, produced or animated many productions – both live-action and animated – including , which later won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. After the war, Geisel returned to writing children's books, writing classics like (1950), Horton Hears a Who! (1955), (1956), The Cat in the Hat (1957), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957), and Green Eggs and Ham (1960). Several of Geisel's books have been transformed into full-length feature animated films, both during his lifetime and posthumously. In 1966, with the help of eminent cartoonist Chuck Jones, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was adapted into an animated film made for TV. The book was adapted again in 2000 as a full-length animated feature by director Ron Howard, with Jim Carrey voicing the Grinch, Jeffrey Tambour as Mayor Augustus Maywho and Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who. In 2008 Horton Hears a Who! was released as an animated feature film starring Jim Carrey as the voice of Horton, Steve Carell as Mayor, Carol Burnett as Kangaroo and Seth Rogen as Morton. In 2012 animated feature film hit theaters, with Danny DeVito as the Lorax, Zac Efron as Ted, Taylor Swift as Audrey and Betty White as Grammy Norma.

And of course don’t forget the musical Seussical. Hitchin Thespians is looking for new members Do you enjoy singing, performing, or dancing? If so, you will receive a warm welcome at Hitchin Thespians. We stage two musical shows each season, rehearsing on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7.30 . The choir meet on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm, and perform three concerts annually, which can be songs from , operas or oratorios. We also welcome non-performing members interested in helping backstage, set design, props, costume or make-up. Thespians are a friendly and active group, so if you would like to join us please contact our Secretary: [email protected]; write to The Secretary, Hitchin Thespians, Woodside Hall, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP. Young Thespians Young Thespians are a youth musical theatre group who currently rehearse at Woodside Hall on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12 noon leading up to a main production in February half term. In the summer, we tend to have workshops or a smaller, summer production, performing in June or July. We cater for ages 8-16 and always welcome new members to come and join us! For more information, please email [email protected].

Hiring Woodside Hall Woodside Hall is available to hire for an event or function. For details of the facilities and availability please contact the Woodside Hall Manager, Ian Hamilton, [email protected]. 2002 Out of the Blue 2012 Alice in Wonderland 2003 Josephina & the Amazing Summer Concert Organically Dyed Fashion 2013 Annie Collection 2014 The Little Mermaid 2004 The Dracular Spectacular The Aristocats Summer Concert 2015 Olivia! 2005 Jessica's Journey Rainbow Connection The Gingerbread Man 2016 Honk Jr. 2006 Summer Holiday YT Got Talent Wind in the Willows 2017 Peter Pan 2007 Bugsy Malone Aladdin Jr 2008 Oaklahoma 2018 The Wizard of Oz 2009 Aladdin Madagascar – A Musical Mr Gainsford's Music Hall Adventure Jr 2010 Below Stairs 2019 My Son Pinocchio Thesptasia - Disney Concert The Many Colours of Andrew Lloyd 2011 The Wiz Webber On a Lighter Note (Concert with Hitchin Thespians) (Concert with Hitchin Thespians)

President : Ann Crook Committee 2019/20

Chair Ian Hamilton Secretary Matt Kaplan Treasurer Marianne Bond Business Manager Barbara Thomas Production Manager Sarah Cunningham Choral Manager Cathy Coulthard Woodside Hall Manager Vacant Social and Fundraising Manager Nicole Georges Membership & Patrons Manager Nick Morgan Young Thespians Coordinator Claire Bailes General Committee Members Joe Emler, Sue Osbourn Inspired Voices 27th and 28th March Return to the Forbidden Planet 21st to 25th April Stage and Screen Take 2 9th to 11th July Chicago 20th to 24th October Christmas at Woodside 10th to 12th December

Box Office BOOK ONLINE www.hitchinthespians.org.uk TELEPHONE 01462 641575 EMAIL [email protected]

Be inspired by amateur theatre Hitchin Thespians is proud to be affiliated to the National Operatic and Dra- matic Association (NODA) which was founded in 1899 as the main repre- sentative body for amateur theatre in the UK. Visit their website at https://www.noda.org.uk/ for information