Kids On Stage Accepting Registrations for Seussical Jr.

St. Joseph, MI (November 27, 2007) – Kids On Stage, recent winner of 5 National Youth Theatre Awards, is now accepting registrations for their spring production of “Seussical Jr”.  Rehearsals will begin Saturday January 5, 2008 and will culminate with four performances April 11, 12 & 13 at Lakeshore High School Auditorium.   The show will be performed by one cast consisting of Junior Troupers, grade 1-3 who will play the citizens of “Whoville”, and Super Troupers, grade 4-12, who will comprise the remainder of the cast.   Every child who registers is guaranteed participation in the production, regardless of talent or ability.  Registration volume for this production is expected to be high so early registration is recommended.  Registration numbers will be limited. 

Participants may register by visiting online at www.dougskidsonstage.com and printing out the registration form.  Forms may also be obtained by calling 269 313-2795.  Registration fees are $200 for Super Troupers and $180 for Junior Troupers.  There is an early bird discount for registrations received and/or postmarked by January 3, 2008.   

Rehearsals are on Saturdays beginning January 5.  Initially, Junior Troupers will rehearse from 9:30-Noon.  Super Troupers will rehearse from 9:30-3:30.  Rehearsal times will change as rehearsals progress.  Additional rehearsals for those with principal parts will also be held on some Thursday and Friday afternoons.  Optional rehearsals will also be held on some Thursday & Fridays for the entire cast to rehearse music.  Rehearsals are at The Chapel (Multi Purpose Room), 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, just south of Glenlord Rd.  For complete rehearsal and performance information visit the Kids On Stage web site: www.dougskidsonstage.com.

Dr. Seuss' most beloved characters come tumbling right out of the books and up onto the stage in this joyful, smart musical romp through the heart of Seussdom. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this musical is juvenile or just for little kids.  The music, humor and staging is smart and emotionally engaging.  Seussical follows the adventures of Horton, the elephant, as in “Horton Hears a Who” and “Horton Hatches an Egg”.  When chaos erupts in the Jungle of Nool, Horton and a host of Seuss favorites, including the Cat in the Hat and Gertrude McFuzz, must bring harmony back to their world, a world where anything is possible.  Many of these characters never met one another before. But they meet in this musical. And in the course of the production, some will fall in love, some will have desperate adventures, and some will save the world.  And they’ll all travel everywhere from the Jungle of Nool to McEligot’s Pool to Palm Beach.  Dr. Seuss believes in helping a friend, in not giving up, in keeping a promise.  He believes in the value and dignity of others, in working to preserve the fragile sweetness of the natural world, and he believes that peace is the ultimate ideal, among nations and in every heart.  He also believes in the pure power of the imagination.  All of these values are at the heart of Seussical. 

When the amateur rights to Seussical were released in 2004, hundreds of schools and community theaters jumped at the chance to produce it. In a survey conducted by the National Thespian Society, Seussical was the most produced musical in American high schools in the first year of its availability. The show ranks among the top three most licensed properties in the Music Theatre International catalog.

Partial scholarships are available to any participant on a “first come/first served” basis.  The application process is initiated by calling Doug Fordyce at 269 313-2795.  Parents of scholarship recipients are asked to help out with the production process by volunteering in some capacity.  No child will ever be turned away simply because of a financial need.