This weekend, the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts is home to the colorful and rhythmic world of Dr. Seuss as the theater department puts on “Seussical: The Musical!”
Krischelle Hansen, director of the musical and theater teacher at Park City High School explained that the production began back in May with auditions, and it has been Seuss-centric since school began in August.
“The cast is super excited,” Hansen said, as the hallway was filled with students crimping each other’s hair, putting finishing touches on attire best suited for Whoville and buzzing with excitement for opening night.
Soon, the chatter and excitement hushed with the announcement from a crew member. “The house is open!”
Hansen said that this is the biggest cast she has had on a production.
“We have about 84 students in total working on the show,” she said. “The costumes are crazy, the props are crazy, the set is crazy. It’s just a really big show.”
As the red seats started to fill up in the theater and the cast finished their vocal warmups, it was nearly time to bring the characters found in Dr. Seuss’ books such as “Horton,” “The Grinch,” “Thing One and Thing Two,” and, of course, “The Cat in the Hat.”
The entire production was filled with bright colors and scenes that look like they were torn directly from a Dr. Seuss book. Soaring musical numbers, choreography with a stage full of actors and even well-timed bubbles falling from the ceiling made for an immersive experience.
The production is largely in the hands of the students, according to Hansen.
“I really pride myself on making sure that this show is all student run,” she said.
She explained that after the curtain goes up, the only adult working during the production is the pit conductor. From the actors on stage to the musicians playing in the pit, all the stage managers to the rail operators off stage, everyone is a student.
This is Hansen’s sixth year of teaching at Park City High School, following two years of student teaching in the district.
“Seussical: The Musical!” debuted on Thursday night and will show again Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The driving force of the play, Katie Olson as the Cat in the Hat, performs during a jungle scene. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Airika Mackay works on a cast members dress zipper prior to the performance for McPolin Elementary school on Wednesday. Mackay is the wardrobe assistant for the production. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Daisy Stone laughs at a TikTok video that her and her fellow cast members made prior to the performance for McPolin Elementary students on Wednesday. Stone acts as Bird Girl two in the play. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record