Seussical – Theatre for Young Audiences Version

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge – not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Note: Seussical TYA will be presented in the John Viars Theatre.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Click here to download a PDF of the Seussical P Bill Jr

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays
School Matinees:
10:00 AM, Tuesday, Oct. 31, & Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre Presented in the John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
90 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
Download Playbill

In the News

Interview with Kent Zimmerman and Blake Clyde, The Culture Buzz, KFMG radio, Oct. 19, 2023

Interview with Kent Zimmerman and Blake Clyde, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Oct. 25, 2023

Des Musicals review, Nov. 3, 2023

Company

  • Mayzie Labird

    Dani Boal

    Mayzie Labird
  • Bird Girl

    Anastasia Cezar

    Bird Girl
  • Cat in the Hat

    Blake Clyde

    Cat in the Hat
  • Wickersham Brother

    Laila Collier

    Wickersham Brother
  • Wickersham Brother

    Taryn Cook

    Wickersham Brother
  • Bird Girl

    Dawson Huinker

    Bird Girl
  • Sour Kangaroo

    Aria Huizenga

    Sour Kangaroo
  • Horton the Elephant

    Jeremy Jorgenson

    Horton the Elephant
  • Gertrude McFuzz

    Natalie Jo Lourens

    Gertrude McFuzz
  • Wickersham Brother

    Jake Mentzer

    Wickersham Brother
  • Mrs. Mayor

    Kaitlyn Meylor

    Mrs. Mayor
  • Bird Girl

    Grace Powell

    Bird Girl
  • Baby Kangaroo

    Emma Salgado

    Baby Kangaroo
  • Mr. Mayor

    Scott Silipino

    Mr. Mayor
  • JoJo/The Boy

    Nina Spahr

    JoJo/The Boy
  • Director/Choreographer

    Kent Zimmerman

    Director/Choreographer
  • Music Director

    Brandon Record

    Music Director
  • Set Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Set Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Kerrie Lee

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Jonathan Garton

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Choreographer

    Marquis Bundy

    Assistant Choreographer
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Jennifer Bryant

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Jeremy Jorgenson is Horton the Elephant, who finds the Whos and hatches an egg, in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Horton the Elephant (Jeremy Jorgenson, foreground) hears voices from a clover who turn out to be Whos (Scott Silipino, Nina Spahr) in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Jojo (Nina Spahr, center) thinks fantastical thinks in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Clockwise from top left: Aria Huizenga, Laila Collier, and Blake Clyde as The Cat in the Hat. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Blake Clyde is The Cat in the Hat and Nina Spahr is Jojo in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Nina Spahr is Jojo and Blake Clyde is The Cat in the Hat in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

    Download Photo

  • Blake Clyde is The Cat in the Hat and Nina Spahr is Jojo in Seussical TYA, Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023, at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Nov. 5, 2023
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: Seussical TYA
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358 

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 29th season of the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre, presents Seussical TYA, Oct. 27- Nov. 5, 2023. Tickets are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Seussical TYA is sponsored by Nationwide.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an earnest elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos that he now must protect from a world of naysayers and dangers. Horton faces a second challenge: guarding an abandoned egg, left to his care by the flighty Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.

The Playhouse cast includes Dani Boal, Anastasia Cezar, Blake Clyde, Laila Collier, Taryn Cook, Dawson Huinker, Aria Huizenga, Jeremy Jorgenson, Natalie Jo Lourens, Jake Mentzer, Kaitlyn Meylor, Grace Powell, Emma Salgado, Scott Silipino, and Nina Spahr. Seussical TYA is directed and choreographed by Kent Zimmerman with Brandon Record, music director; Nicholas Amundson, set designer; Angela Lampe, costume designer; and Virgil Kleinhesselink, lighting designer.

Suessical TYA will be presented in the John Viars Theatre.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. 

Seussical TYA
Performances: 7:00 PM Fridays, 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays, Oct. 27 – Nov. 5, 2023
Tickets: $19 Adults/$14 Students 
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com
The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations or descriptive services with advance notice. Please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

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Show Credits

Music by Stephen Flaherty

Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Book by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty

Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide