This year’s musical, Seussical Jr., came alive this spring with a vibrant cast, colorful costumes, and high-tech visuals. Over the course of three performances, the show delighted hundreds of audience members from within the School of Saint Elizabeth community, as well as theater lovers from surrounding towns who came out to support the dynamic Visual Arts program.

The show opened with a prayer from Father Jay, followed by words of appreciation from Principal Donley, who thanked the audience for attending. “Your encouragement allows us to continue enriching our students’ lives through the arts and providing them with opportunities to grow in confidence, creativity, and faith,” Principal Donley said.

Behind the scenes, the production of Seussical Jr. came together after months of practice and direction from a dedicated team of School of Saint Elizabeth staff members and parents. This “dream team” included Co-Directors Principal Beth Donley and Mr. Chris Russioniello; Music and Sound Director Mr. Bill Alford; Set Designer Mrs. Michele Lobo; Costume Designer Mrs. Crum; a seven-person stage crew; and many hardworking parent volunteers.

“I am proud that we were able to bring together all the elements of the show—including costumes, sets, sound, dancing, singing, and acting,” Co-Director Chris Russioniello said. “Having often worked independently in the past, I wasn’t used to collaborating as much, but Mrs. Donley and Mr. Alford made it easy.”

On stage, students in grades five through eight showcased their “triple threat” talents in singing, dancing, and acting. Bella, an eighth grader who played Horton the Elephant, shared her thoughts on the experience: “I was really excited to be part of the show because it has an amazing message. I learned so much about my character and had a great time with my castmates and friends. It’s definitely one of my favorite shows I’ve done.”

The selection of Seussical Jr. was an obvious choice. Based on the beloved works of Dr. Seuss, the musical weaves together many of his most famous characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and Jojo. Through imaginative storytelling and memorable music, the production explores themes of friendship, loyalty, responsibility, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

One of the musical’s most famous lines reminds us that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” “It’s a message that reflects the dignity of every individual and aligns beautifully with the values and faith we strive to nurture in our students each day,” said Principal Beth Donley, co-director of Seussical Jr., with pride.