Respect, appreciating love and friendship, accepting others as they are, and standing strong for your beliefs are important themes in this show — qualities author Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel knew and tried to teach all littles through his books.

"Seussical the Musical," the endlessly entertaining book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens set to music by Stephen Flaherty, is based on three Seussian books: "Horton Hears A Who," "Horton Hatches the Egg" and Gertrude McFuzz. And they are seamlessly blended together making for an excellent musical. Who doesn't know these books? Some read them as wee kids and later to their own wee ones — a fact that makes "Seussical the Musical" a natural hit for all ages.

Applause! Applause! Applause for the Y Arts Community Players, all of whom joyfully embraced their characters and ensured this production would be endlessly entertaining. Directed, choreographed and costumed by Emily Mirabile, this cast had it all. The dance numbers, sometimes complete with somersaults and cartwheels, were fantastic!

And how could you not love the 'tude of those Sour Kangaroos (Medea Harris, Sarah Harris, Agatha Harris)?  How could you not love those devilish Wickersham Brothers (Spencer Pottle, Corey Pottle, Sophia Mansfield, Craig Urwin and Alan Baldwin); the charming wee Elephant Birds (Jack Barker, Jonah Kurtz, Evelyn Michaud, Louie Mirabile); those sassy Bird Girls (Imij Armstead, Emily Barker, Emily Cantillo, Christina Kurtz, Christine Urwin, Natalie Flagg); the adorable Things 1 and 2 (Oscar Mirabile and Gilles Urwin);  and the innocent Whos of Whoville (Finn Sullivan, Collin Cantillo, Fiona Bishop, Adeline Inman, Sloan Nelson, Jessie Ullo, Violet Baldwin, Lucie Hollon, Kyleigh Cole, Evangeline Roy, Harper Westhaver, Iris Adams, Penny Navarrete, Megan Achorn, Renee Cole, Brittany Warren, Teagan O'Toole, Tracey Hall, Mallory Adams, Josie Roy, Vivian Flagg, Lucia Flores, Evelyn Michaud, Isla Sullivan, Kinsley Weiss, Presley Crommett, Nicholas Colby and Luke Barter)? I repeat: How could you not?

Kudos, hoots and hollers to lead actors Gannon Inman (Jojo), Nick Mirabile (Cat in the Hat), Soren Barker (Horton), Taylor Fish (Gertrude); with Nick Ullo (Mayor of Whoville) and Mrs. Mayor (Krystal Blackman-Navarette), Kristen Robinson (Mayzie La Bird), Alan Baldwin (General Schmitz) and Roosevelt Bishop (Santa Grinch and Yertle the Turtle)!

There were four shows March 28-30 at the Opera House here in Boothbay Harbor.  Mirabile said the final show, a matinee on March 30, drew the largest crowd. I was part of that audience and I can tell you the thunderous applause after each song spoke volumes about how everyone felt about this show. And then, of course, there was that "standing O" ...