The hours are ticking away before the cast of “Seussical, Jr.” will be performing on the Mesquite Community Theatre stage.
The performance opens today at 6:30 p.m. It will be repeated at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 13, and on Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
When Horton the Elephant, played by Jake Benell, hears the almost silent voices of the Whos on “the smallest planet in the universe,” he knows he has to save them.
There is the mayor of Whoville, played by Todd Benell and Tyson Wilson; the mayor’s wife, played by Sara Rappleye and Whisper Saltzman, and JoJo, their son, played by Matthew Covey andJaysonBrooks.
Other Whos who have to be saved are Madison Julien, Emily Walsh, Brooke Helsten, Emma Wilson, Madison Marshall, Deslie Houston, Margaret Hafen, Kaitlynn Reber, Elsa Whipple, Jaidaella Rich and Shayla Martinez.
The Grinch is there also in Whoville, but he has changed into the good Grinch by this point. He will be played by Andrew Green.
Meanwhile, most of the animals in the Jungle of Nool don’t believe that the Whos exist and want the clover they are on destroyed.
It is not that they are evil; they are just gullible and listen to the few who are out to destroy the clover and Horton’s reputation.
Playing the evil Vlad Vladikoff, who tries to destroy the city ofWhoville, is Wyatt Hillius.
The animals are Alexis Boatright, as the panther; Elise Dick, as the creature; Andi Rae Munford is the dodo; and Victoria Goodsell is the bear.
Playing the tigers will be Krista Slack and TaLauni Orison; Tyler Clem will be the lovable rat; and Katy Newman is to portray the monkey.
The animals will join the rest of the ensemble to be fish in McGilligan’s Pool. And then they return as members of the circus.
When the final trial for Horton comes, the Judge will be Yertle the Turtle, played by Katy Newman.
Some of the leading roles have been double cast. The “white” cast will perform on Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 pm. The “red” cast is to perform Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
If you have a preference as to which Who you wish to see, a list of each cast will be placed at the box office. Better still, you may have to attend twice so you won’t miss any of the talent.
All the seats are reserved, and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth. The MCT box office, located at150 N. Yucca St., will be open, 4-7 p.m., on Thursdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. You can reach the box office during those hours at (702) 345-4499