'Seussical' debuts Friday

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Getting in the mood for all things Seuss, The Cat in the Hat (Joel Lininger) reads to his pal JoJo (Hannah Shetler) and members of the “Seussical Jr.” cast from Bristol Elementary School. In the front row from left are Mathew Crussemeyer, Lininger, Nathaniel Bowers and Maya Zelay. In the back row from left are Shetler and Lizzy Harmon.

February 9, 2012

By SCOTT WEISSER THE GOSHEN NEWS The Goshen News Thu Feb 09, 2012, 02:00 PM EST

BRISTOL — Joel Lininger is a 15-year-old boy. He’s also been Tom Sawyer and the King of Hearts. Currently, he’s The Cat in the Hat.

Credit the Elkhart Civic Theatre for Lininger’s multiple identities.

Lininger is part of the Civic Theatre’s ECTeam youth theater group. As such, he’s one of 56 young thespians, singers and dancers bringing “Seussical Jr.” to life on the Bristol Opera House stage this weekend.

“Seussical” combines a number of Dr. Seuss’ famous stories. In addition to The Cat, the production is populated by characters including Horton, JoJo, Gertrude, McFuzz, Mayzie LaBird, The Whos and Sour Kangaroo. Musical stylings in the show will include rock and roll, blues and ragtime.

Lininger said Civic Theatre organizers put on a two-week summer camp in 2008 for children who wanted to act. His mom signed him up.

“It was the start of something big for me,” Lininger said. He’s been in 12 Civic Theatre shows since his first in ’08.

A home-schooled student, Lininger enjoys interacting with other young people via the Civic Theatre. He also said acting has helped him as far as being in front of people, and becoming more comfortable on stage.

Lininger described playing The Cat as “a stretching experience.” Interacting more with the audience has been a challenge with the role, he said.

“I just think it’s been a really good experience,” Lininger said. “...I’ve never played a part like this. It’s probably the hardest show I’ve ever done, but it’s been a good one for me.”

“Seussical Jr.” is being directed by John Shoup, assisted by Tony Venable. Vocal director is Kay Hoffmeister and choreographers for the show are Stephanie Zonker Isley, Jackiejo Brewers, Venable and Shoup.

Civic Theatre organizers collaborated with Bristol Elementary School staff in sponsoring a reading contest for first- and second-graders. The top 10 readers in each of the nine classroom were set to receive tickets for themselves and a parent to see the show.

If you want to go

What and when: “Seussical Jr.” will be performed at The Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Matinee shows are set for 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission: Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens age 62 and older. Reserve tickets by calling the Box Office at 848-4116 Monday through Friday from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

More information: For more information about this or other Elkhart Civic Theatre productions, visit the website www.elkhartcivictheatre.org.

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