Centennial High School brought the fantastical world of Horton the Elephant and the Cat in the Hat back to Ellicott City, Maryland, this weekend. While the school last visited the Jungle of Nool in 2012, this fresh staging blended the charm of the original with a new generation’s “pure imagination.”
Deserving of special acknowledgment for their vocal performances are Erin Leberknight (The Cat in the Hat), Owen Landle (Horton), Emily Giusti (JoJo), and Cal Stewart (General Genghis Khan Schmitz). Additionally, Ava Rudy (Gertrude McFuzz) and Gisele Roddy (Mayzie LaBird) deserve special mention for masterfully driving the plot in a production that mirrors an operetta in its near-constant musicality.
Leberknight’s performance was defined by a magnetic expressiveness and playful audience immersion. By designating a “Splash Zone” in the front rows—complete with a water bottle squirt—and leaning in to engage directly with the youngest theatergoers, she broke the fourth wall with the mischievous grace the role requires.
In a beautiful contrast to the high-energy antics, the duet between Giusti and Landle on “Alone in the Universe” provided the emotional heart of the show. Delivered from platforms positioned in the middle of the house, their performance was exceptionally soft and moving, nicely capturing the song’s themes of isolation and companionship.
“Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” is the quintessential opening (and closing) number of Seussical, serving as a high-energy invitation to the audience to use their imagination. Because the song features a lot of “call and response” and overlapping vocals between the Cat in the Hat and the full company, the lyrics often vary slightly by production, including the substitution of “Ellicott City” for cities in some numbers.
The technical demands of the production were equally evident from the pit. While the orchestra delivered a performance consistent with top-level high school standards, it is worth noting that the score for Seussical is notoriously difficult, requiring intricate timing and stylistic versatility compared to many other standard school musicals. The Centennial musicians navigated these complexities to provide a solid foundation for a show that remains a whimsical triumph 14 years after its first local run.
The performance run notably occurs just after “Read Across America” week, often celebrated in elementary schools with Dr. Seuss books.