Jasper Middle School Performing Arts Presents Seussical Jr. March 6–7; Tickets $6

Jasper Middle School Performing Arts will open the family production Seussical Jr. with an opening performance Friday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m., followed by two performances Saturday, March 7 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; tickets are $6 and will be available at door 12 at JMS.

Program material for the production describes the show in familiar Dr. Seuss terms: "The fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, will take audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus as the Cat in the Hat 'helps' Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos." The synopsis continues that "Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird."

Creative leadership for the Jasper Middle School staging lists Courtney Heberer as director, with Rachael Watkins as assistant director and Ava Claire Werne as JHS Student Director. The production credits the book, lyrics and music to Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Principal cast members named for the March performances include Rowan Lechner as Jojo, Elise Werne as The Cat, Ella Reinhart as Horton and Coraline Werne as Mayzie. Supporting leads listed in program copy are Leif Spond as Mr. Mayor, Olivia Lampert as Mrs. Mayor, Amelia Marinin as Gertrude, Charlotte Hoffman as Sour Kangaroo, Tenley Miller as Young Kangaroo, Kabric Hunter as Yertle and Ruger Wertman as The Grinch.

Backstage and technical credits accompanying the cast are extensive and specific. Backstage leadership is Bryna Brewster, Backstage Asst. Manager Nick Arvin, with backstage crew members Matthew Arvin, Tripp Atkins, Freya Boyer, Kylie Clouse, Izzy Doty, Naomi Goeppner, Rosayn Gramelspacher, Vivian Gramelspacher, Elise Gress, Rayna Holmes, Maddelyn Klee, Arizona Mehling, Spencer Odo, Shelby Prechtel, BridgetteSampson and Madison Walton. JHS Backstage Assistants are listed as Ella Fakes and Leah Mattingly. Balcony management names are Grant Voegerl and assistant Lucy Nordhoff, with balcony crew Evie Tolbert, Jacob Arvin, Ani Warner, Samuel Woolsten and Dustin Hasenour.

Promotional material posted on school social channels included a short invitation to families; an Instagram post fragment reads, "Seuss and discover this endearing story of Seussical, where imagination takes center stage! ... at Jasper Middle School!" Photos of rehearsals and the cast appear alongside program copy in promotional postings. Tickets again are $6 and will be available at door 12 at JMS for the March 6 opening and the March 7 matinee and evening performances.