LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - —“Oh the thinks you can think!” sings the Cat in the Hat. Lock Haven University’s theater group, the University Players, will serve up a toe-tapping helping of green eggs and ham with the musical, “Seussical.” Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, “Seussical” is a musical romp which is fun for the whole family. “Seussical” runs April 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. with an additional Saturday matinee April 12 at 2 p.m. in the Sloan Fine Arts Theater on the LHU campus.

“Seussical” revolves around the popular children’s book “Horton Hears a Who!” while also drawing from over a dozen beloved favorites by Dr. Seuss. “An unusual story will soon be unfurled,” proclaims the Cat in the Hat (Dennis R. Berfield) to a young boy (Nikki Wasserman) before catapulting him into the zany Seussian world. The story of Horton the Elephant (Glen Vandermark) is interwoven with that of shy Gertrude McFuzz (Carlicia Lomax), saucy Mayzie La Bird (Mallory Burns), the sassy Sour Kangaroo (Kaitlynn Hunt), and the Butter-Battle waging General Gengus Khan Schmitz (Joseph Vaiana). Additionally the mischievous Wickersham Brothers (Cian J. Ruane, Sean Temons, and Matthew Faragasso) and the graceful Bird Girls trio (Andrea Becker, Casondra Force, and Valerie Halstead) sing and dance through the Jungle of Nool and Who-ville, accompanied by a large chorus of Whos (including the Mayor of Who-ville, played by Jackson Long and his wife, played by Kirstyn Walter) and jungle creatures. Follow this familiar collection of characters through a musical stew which features numbers ranging in style from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk.

Stephen E. Haynes, assistant professor in the Department of Performing Arts — Theater Division, directs “Seussical” and serves as scenic, lighting, and costume designer and technical director. Most recently, he served as scenic, lighting, and co-costume designer for the University Players’ production of “The Laramie Project” (2007) and directed the University Players’ production of “Tartuffe” (2007). The design team also consists of Ray Sturdevant (sound designer), and Dennis R. Berfield, Timothy L. Moyer, Whitney Pirnik (assistant scenic designers). The Seussian world created by Haynes and his student assistant scenic designers was inspired by the books that “Seussical” is based upon. Rather than replicating the books, however, they have focused on the motivation behind them. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) wrote his books to teach children how to read and the University Players’ production celebrates reading in a variety of unique ways. Ronald E. Miller, associate professor of music, serves as the vocal director and Dr. Glenn Hosterman, professor of music, conducts the pit orchestra. Valerie L. Halstead serves as choreographer.

“Seussical” runs April 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12 in the Sloan Theater. Curtain time for all shows is 8 p.m. with an additional Saturday matinee on April 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for all Sloan Theater main stage performances are free for all LHU students with ID, $5 for adults, and $3 for non-LHU students and seniors. All seats are general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Student Cooperative Council Inc. business office in the Parsons Union Building on the LHU campus. Please arrive early to all shows as no latecomers will be seated. A Curtain Talk will follow the April 4 performance. Audience members who attend the April 4 performance are invited to stay following the show for a discussion with the cast, director, and designers. For further information, contact Dr. Christine Woodworth of the Department of Performing Arts, (570) 484-2853.