The theater department hosted their first biannual show on Nov. 8 at the auditorium, where the Patriot Players performed “Seussical” for the school’s community, bringing both presence and energy to the stage.
The musical weaves together Dr. Suess’s most famous stories and characters into one overarching theme, exploring friendship, loyalty, imagination and believing in others despite the odds. Senior Mona Olson described the decision to tweak the performance time. “We only did the kids’ version, which was 50 minutes long, instead of the full play, which was two hours long,” Olson said.
The plot of “Seussical” focuses on Horton the Elephant, whose mission is to protect the tiny Whos who live on a speck of dust, and to care for an abandoned egg. The tale is narrated by the Cat in the Hat and follows Horton as he faces ridicule and danger, supported by the loyal Gertrude McFuzz.
Olson, who played one of the musicals’ main characters, Mayzie Labird, enjoyed “Suessical,” and is excited to continue on to act in the Patriot Players’ next show. “I really enjoyed my time during the making and performing of ‘Suessical,’ because I thought it was such a fun show to start out the school year. I’ve been a part of all of Wootton’s productions since my freshman year, and with Mr. Schwartz stepping up to take over the department has been an interesting transition. It was a super enriching experience,” Olson said.
Leading up to the show, the Patriot Players DuFief, Travilah, and Lakewood Elementary Schools to promote the show and give snippets of the performance. “Seeing the awe from the kids was probably the most rewarding, and I think the tickets being free for those 10 and under helped a lot in drawing in a bigger audience and spreading the word of the show,” Olson said. “Our goal was to inspire the kids by showing them what was possible for them once they got to high school regarding theater, and I really hope we succeeded.”
Junior Gabriella Estrada described the event as a compelling and vibrant showcase of her schoolmates’ creativity and cohesion. “I went to support my friend who’s in the play, and the whole performance was really good,” Estrada said. “I thought that the whole musical was super passionate and well-developed.”
The Patriot Players will continue to prepare for their next upcoming show, Hairspray, scheduled for late April. The school’s community will continue to be on the edge of their seats while awaiting another brilliant performance from the Theatre Department. It was an amazing experience,” Olson said. “The arts are incredibly important to me and so many students here.”
