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An elephant, a cat in a hat, and a town full of tiny people walk onto a stage. No, it's not the beginning of a joke; it's Chisago Lakes High School's fall musical. Directed by Rachel Lexvold, Chisago Lakes High School is proud to present Seussical, a musical that brings together characters and stories from Dr. Seuss's iconic books.

The show opens November 13 and runs through November 22. Narrated by the Cat in the Hat the story follows Horton the Elephant, along with many other recognizable characters. The story unfolds as Horton discovers the Whos living on a speck of dust and tries to protect them despite others doubting him.

This year's production incorporates several unique elements to bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life. From backstage crew members being dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2 to incorporating a cyclorama for colorful lighting effects, the production creates an immersive experience for the audience. With new choreography by Sam Ritcey and a large ensemble representing a wide variety of characters, there's always something happening onstage.

Since September, students have been working hard to bring this show to life. With over 50 students involved in the production, both onstage and behind the scenes, there's no shortage of work going into the performance. Students have collaborated to construct an impressive three-level set and bring the show's imaginative world together through its costuming. Joleen Meyer and student Amanda Gibson took on the challenge of creating costumes, helping transform the cast into the colorful characters audiences will recognize.

Beyond its colorful characters and catchy musical numbers, Seussical offers something for audiences of all ages. With themes of friendship, acceptance, and standing up for what you believe in, the show is more than just a collection of familiar Dr. Seuss stories. Whether audiences grew up reading the books or are experiencing these characters for the first time, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Chisago Lakes High School invites the community to experience the fun for themselves. Performances begin November 13 and run through November 22 at the Chisago Lakes Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available through Chisago Lakes High School’s Bound page. Come see what happens when a little imagination, a lot of hard work, and a certain striped hat come together onstage!

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