Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times The Cat in the Hat (played by Samantha McLendon) and Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Jackson Anderson and Raquel Goddard) meet Mayzie LaBird (Cassie Geltner) in Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta’s ‘Seussical Jr.’

Given the success of the recent “Lorax” movie, it seems strange seeing all of the other characters but him on the Dosta Playhouse stage.

The zany Cat in the Hat accompanied by Thing 1 and Thing 2. Horton with his ability to hear a Who. The Grinch whose undersized heart had been known to triple in size.

They are gathered with a menagerie of Dr. Seuss characters, all played by area children and a few adults, in Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta’s “Seussical Jr.”

The “Jr.” means this is an abbreviated, youth performance of the famed Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens musical based on Dr. Seuss’ books.

Starring mostly children, “Seussical” is a show that should appeal to young audiences, but it should also appeal to all of the adults and parents who read these stories during their own childhoods or who regularly read them to their children.

For some people, the voice of Horton or the Cat in the Hat will forever be the voice of their mother or father. For adults, “Seussical” can be a wonderful return to the nonsensical days of youth, while youngsters can enjoy Seuss’ constant challenge to their imaginations.

The Gingerbread Players’ set and costumes incorporate the look of a Dr. Seuss book. Katelynn Kenworthy, one of the youths who also performs on stage, designed the set and costumes. She has designed several Gingerbread Players sets in the past couple of seasons. Her mother, Lynnette Kenworthy, directs “Seussical.”

The director shares that one of the more interesting aspects of this is show involves the meeting of Seuss characters on stage who never met in the books.

Kenworthy says she is proud of the young cast for meeting the challenges of this approximately hour-and-10-minute show opening tonight.

“They have worked so hard to put together a show that tells the heartwarming story of friendship and believing in something that you can’t always see,” she writes in the program director’s notes.

The experience has also been a family one for more than just the mother-daughter director and scene/costume designer. John Seppala wanted to participate in the show to spend more time with his children, Luke and Mark. He may have had only a small role in mind but, as opening night nears, the elder Seppala wears the floppy ears and gray coloring of Horton the Elephant.

Throughout the show, especially with so many children playing Whos and other characters, one may be reminded of two sayings. The old theatre adage: There are no small roles, only small actors. And the Seuss adage: A person’s a person no matter how small.

THE CAST: Samantha McLendon, John Seppala, Billy McLendon, Hannah Moody, Cassie Geltner, Kara Nelson, Kalyn Cooper, Katelynn Kenworthy, Campbell Mutert, Bethanie Brogdon, Maggie Tarpley, David Bass, Jessica Gillard, Kaitlyn Allbritton, Katie Lancaster, Jackson Anderson, Raquel Goddard, Andrew Rogers, Bethany Weller, Ashli Slade, Nathalee Simoneau, Oya Denizman, Charlly Young, John Laurent Dean, Cassie Doscher, Abbi Long, Fola Asebiamo, Brooklyn Rice, Luke Seppala, Mark Seppala, Jake Tillman, Carragen Young.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Lynnette Kenworthy, director; Brenda Brunston, producer; Ashley Layton, musical director; Jessica Gillard, choreographer; Katelynn Kenworthy, Hannah Trowell, student choreographers; Katelynn Kenworthy, scenic, costume designer; Rosemary Coleman, scenic painter; Mattia Goddard, Robin McLendon, stage managers and props masters; Kellie Thomason, costume coordinator; Kellie Thomason, Pauline Owen, Wanda Rice, Meredith Lancaster, Rebecca Lancaster, Isik Denizman, Katelynn Kenworthy, Kerri Dean, Lynnette Kenworthy, costume construction team; Mixson Anderson, sound operator; Parker Allbritton, Eni Asembiamo, light operators; P.T. Candelario, special effects; Diane Brunston, Mary Clare Tarpley, Brenda Brunston, showcase, photos; Brittney Long, concessions; Lois Allbritton, parent liaison.

SHOWTIME

Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “Seussical Jr.”

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 30, 31; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 1.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Reservations, more information: Visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com