Oh, the Things You’ll See at P.S. 207’s performance of Seussical JR.!
On Monday, April 15th, family, faculty and classmates gathered to watch Fillmore Academy Drama Club’s evening performance of Seussical JR.
Throughout four productions, with two ensemble casts, “Blue Fish” and “Red Fish,” P.S. 207 students showcased their talent on April 15th and April 17th, with the former cast performing on April 15th.
Seussical JR. is based on Dr. Seuss’ works, mostly notably Horton Hears a Who!, but also incorporates elements from his other famous books, such as The Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories and another of Horton’s stories, Horton Hatches the Egg.
“It’s a beautiful show with a beautiful message and with characters that can relate to everybody, said Kimberly Simek, the drama director. “Everyone has heard the story of The Cat in the Hat. Everyone knows Horton Hears a Who! and Mayzie, Sour Kangaroo and JoJo. So to put everybody all together in one – I think it’s a very creative show.”
True to its name, Seussical JR. boasts a set that is as colorful, eccentric and zany as possible. The production crew’s meticulous work brings Dr. Seuss’s whimsical drawings into the real world, adding a touch of magic to the show.
“I thought of what could be the most colorful in your face, kind of set design,” said Antoinette Spada, art director. “We kind of just went with that because Dr. Seuss is over the top. The more that I thought of and the more that we imagined, the bigger it got and bigger and bigger and bigger until we got this.”
Abigail Jablonski played Horton, the lead role, and gave a performance of an elephant trying to keep its head up despite all the obstacles it faces.
“I was shocked when I got the part. I wanted the part really bad, but it felt really good and I was excited for myself,” said Jablonski. “Playing the role was so much fun, talking with the other Horton from the other cast and talking with my castmates, trying to work things out and make it all work.”
Seussical JR. is the first production for the drama club as the NYC School Construction Authority had just finished working on the auditorium. As such, the crew had to practice in the school cafeteria.
“The cafeteria’s dimensions were different from the stage,” said Simek. “It was difficult to have entrances, exits and moving set pieces and for the kids to get a sense of where the audience would be, where they need to look, the lighting. It’s been a challenge, but this group was adaptable, and I must give them so much credit for that. We found out one week ago that we would be able to be in this space, and they rose to the occasion incredibly well.”
