Art 4 musical production brings Dr. Seuss characters to life

OUTH BEND, Ind. – Art 4, a musical theater production company in South Bend is bringing the magical world of Dr. Seuss to the Leighton Auditorium at the St. Joseph County Public Library.

It’s part of a new partnership between the library and Art 4. Aaron Albin, the Art 4 executive director, said they chose a wide range of productions that can reach all age groups, and they plan to dive into the literary aspect in all their shows.

The new partnership will allow Art 4 to perform all four productions inside the new Leighton auditorium at the St. Joseph County Public Library. The first production, Seussical the Musical, brings some of Dr. Seuss's beloved characters to life.

Cast member, Emma Kopec, plays two characters in the musical.

“Mayzie LaBird is a diva. She loves herself more than anything, she’s got a big tail, she loves flaunting her stuff, and Mrs. Mayor is very, a little more reserved,” Kopec said. “So, it's kind of like two opposite ends of the spectrum that I get to play. So, that’s really fun jumping between characters.”

With vibrant costumes, a colorful and bright production set, and catchy songs, musical and executive director Albin said the show is fun for the whole family to watch.

The musical, follows Horton, from Horton Hears a Who, and his journey to save the people of Whoville. And, it's all narrated by the Cat in the Hat.

Favorite Dr. Seuss characters will make an appearance in the musical, like the grinch, Mayzie Labird, Horton the elephant, Jo-Jo the Who, and the iconic Cat in the Hat himself.

There are 10 cast members in the production, who’ve all been rehearsing since January.

Kopec has been acting since she was four years old, she said being in this production takes her back to her first musical.

“The first musical that I ever did actually, was Seussical in 2010. I played the baby kangaroo, which is usually played by a puppet. So, I just followed this lady around, and it was really fun," Kopec said. "And this show is the reason why I fell in love with musical theater. So, it's nice to do it again, things kind of coming full circle."

Seussical the Musical runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 13 at the Leighton Auditorium inside the St. Joseph County Main Library.

For dates, tickets, and timings visit Art 4 - Musical - Seussical by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flahety - Feb 25 - Mar. 13 at Leighton Auditorium (art4sb.org)