Who's up for Seuss?

Perhaps, there's just no better way to say "Theodor Geisel, Happy Birthday" - than to sing lots of songs in a colorful way.
And if you do it just right and give it your all, you can dance and perform until the curtain does fall. 
The crowd, they will cheer as the band plays along, and you will bow proudly after singing the last song. 
And that's just what Titusville students plan to do - tonight and tomorrow and Saturday night too. 
So get down to the musical; buy a $7 ticket. Go on a fun adventure. You don't want to miss it. 

Maybe we should leave the rhyming to the master, Theodor Geisel, who is better known as Dr. Seuss and would've turned 119 today. 

Students, teachers and volunteers at Titusville High School plan to celebrate by bringing his speck of dust universes to vibrant life with their rendition of "Seussical The Musical."

They will open their performances today with shortened matinees daytime for busloads of elementary school children before this evening's full show for the general public.

"The timing of the musical was picked to coincide with Read Across America," said Andrea Fenske, the show's director.

​Read Across America was established in 1998 by the National Education Association to get kids excited about reading. The day was picked for the author of over 60 books, many of which continue to be popular for young children.

The musical was written based on those books and includes famed characters like The Cat in the Hat and Horton the elephant who can hear the Whoville community in a speck of dust.

"I hope that you will see as much talent on stage as I had in mind when choosing this show," Fenske said. "This knockout cast has been exceeding my expectations from the very first music rehearsal."

Maggie Elan carries the bulk of the show as The Cat in the Hat who leads JoJo, played by Chloe Preston, and the audience from story to story referencing dozens of Seuss's classic books.

Cole Enright dons some pretty hefty elephant ears to bring Horton's heart to life. 

"We have lived through some heavy times over the past few years. We have all experienced feelings of being 'Alone in the Universe.' Horton's very large heart was the feeling of hope and care I wanted to share with these wonderful young people on stage," Fenske said.

Other cast members are Elaena Enright, Maeve Wakefield, Charlotte Winger, Lance Enright, Leslie Finley, Garen Earls, Alexis Banner, Grimm Biggerstaff, Olivia Decker,  Katelyn Bernard, Veronica Klementovich, Liz Staub, Briana Ives, Ayden Fullerton, Liz Watkins, Hailie Blakeslee, Tanner DeShong, Kate Payne, Sarah Smith-Gallant, Kate Wilks, Ells Bernard, Sarah Locke and Colin Wakefield.

"There is definitely a lot of talent on this stage," Fenske boasted.

"It's definitely not just me running the show," Fenske said, crediting the dozen or more community folks who have stepped up to help. Music teachers from several school districts play in the pit and longtime Titusville music staple Nathaniel Licht directs the orchestra. Taylor Nelson worked with the dance movements and many others help put the show together.

The show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The doors open at 6 p.m and the curtain rises at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7. 

This is Fenske's 15th show on the high school stage. "They (the shows) each get better every year," she said.

"I hope that through these silly songs and timeless Dr. Seuss characters you leave here with a smile on your face and hope in your heart," Fenske said.