Prediction: The Y Arts Community Players are going to bring down the house. The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, that is, when the curtain comes down on each performance of "Seussical the Musical" March 28-30.

The show, largely set in the Jungle of Nool, brings Dr. Seuss classics to life: largely, "Horton Hears A Who," "Horton Hatches the Egg" and "Gertrude McFuzz." Story by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; lyrics by Aherns and music by Flaherty.

Said Director Emily Mirabile, "The cast seems to be loving the show. It is so much fun for all involved. And, they are all so talented, and a real hoot!" 

And that cast is Gannon Inman, Soren Barker, Taylor Fish, Nick Ullo, Krystal Blackman, Kristen Robinson, Oscar Mirabile, Gilles Urwin, Medea Harris, Sarah Harris, Agatha Harris, Emily Barker, Emily Cantillo, Christina Kurtz, Christine Urwin, Imij Armstead, Natalie Flagg, Spencer Pottle, Sophia Mansfield, Craig Urwin, Corey Pottle, Alan Baldwin, Colin Cantillo, Finn Sullivan, Roosevelt Bishop, Fiona Bishop, Adeline Inman, Sloan Nelson, Jesse Ullo, Violet Baldwin, Kyleigh Cole, Lucie Hollon, Evie Roy, Harper Westhaver, Iris Adams, Penny Navarette, Megan Achorn, Mallory Adams, Renee Cole, Tracey Hall, Teagan O'Toole, Brittany Warren, Luke Barker, Nicholas Colby, Presley Crommett, Vivian Flagg, Lucia Flores, Evelyn Michaud, Josie Roy, Isla Sullivan and Kinsley Weiss.

Mirabile distributed scripts in January, rehearsed twice and then took a break to attend the iTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival, in sunny California for the first time. Once back from the competition, this large cast has been rehearsing twice a week through show week. 

"It is important to me to make sure working families and kids going to school are able to participate," said Mirabile. "I want to make sure people are able to commit to it and enjoy the process with our Y Arts family."  

Mirabile noted this is Corey Pottle's first show after watching his son Spencer in so many Y Arts productions throughout the years. 

"When I suggested he join Spencer onstage for (possibly) Spencer's last Y Arts show (as he is a graduating senior this year) Corey quickly said yes!"

"My favorite part about this production is doing it with Spencer the most," Corey Pottle told  Mirable. "But everyone else that is involved as well. My second favorite is being part of the rehearsals and watching how a theater production really comes together."

Mirabile said the entire cast seems to be really enjoying the show. And if last Friday's rehearsal was any indicator, she is right. There was laughter, excitement, and fabulous characterization and comic timing. "Seussical the Musical" is entertaining, fun, and (as always) professionally done. The energy in the rehearsal room at the Boothbay Region Y was ricocheting through the air to all corners of the space. 

This will be Y Arts' first time presenting the show in its entirety. In 2021, Y Arts youth presented "Seussical Jr." - masked - at Lincoln Theater. And, they have used "Seussical" for past competitions.

As Dr. Seuss wrote in "Oh, the Places You'll Go": "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

Clearly, the direction (in this case) is the Opera House, 86 Townsend Ave.! There are two evening shows at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29; the two matinees at 2 p.m. are March 29 and Sunday, March 30. All tickets are $10 and all are general admission. Buy tickets in advance through the Opera House box office by phone: 633-5159 or in person Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for evening shows and 1:30 for the matinees.