SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL JR: Travis Gawason as the Cat in the Hat and Jason Weiland as Jojo in the Downtown Performing Arts Center production of Seussical the Musical Jr.

Celebrate the 113th birthday of America’s favorite children’s author and see his fantastical world come to life in Seussical the Musical Jr. Presented by the Downtown Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and Curtain Up Productions, Seussical the Musical Jr. will be performed at the Little Theatre at Hunterdon Central Regional High School located at 84 Route 31 in Flemington, N.J. Performances are Friday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 25 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

The perfect musical for the entire family, Seussical the Musical Jr. is based on the beloved characters and stories of Dr. Seuss, The plot incorporates elements from at least 15 Dr. Seuss books and includes appearances by many of his most famous characters. The story follows the adventures of Horton, an elephant who one day hears voices coming from a speck of dust. He soon discovers that within this tiny speck exists the smallest planet in the universe! While Horton is ridiculed by the other animals in the Jungle of Nool for believing in something he cannot see, he stubbornly persists in his belief that the Whos exist.

In a parallel story, Jojo, the smallest child in the city of Who, is ostracized for the unpopular act of thinking — an activity not encouraged by the parents and teachers of Whoville. In spite of these obstacles, Jojo and Horton attempt to do what they think is right, and together they sing the duet “Alone in the Universe.” Of course one of Seuss’s most famous characters, The Cat in the Hat, pops in and out of scenes, narrating, playing numerous characters, and helping the younger members of the audience keep track of what’s going on.

The cast of Seussical the Musical Jr. is made up of student actors. The performing arts school at Downtown Performing Arts Center has been providing classes in acting, theater and dance to New Jersey and Pennsylvania students for over 15 years and will become the educational arm of the new Music Mountain Theatre set to open in Lambertville later this year.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door prior to each performance. For information visit www.downtownpac.com or call (609) 397-3337.

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