Before I was lucky enough to come to work at Masuk High School, I was once a recent graduate from the UConn School of Education looking for a job. At one school I interviewed with, I was invited to give a demo lesson. The topic: Appeasement leading up to World War II. In preparing for the lesson, my research led me to a number of political cartoons by, you guessed it, Dr. Seuss. I, of course, included them in my lesson.
It wasn’t the first time I was exposed to the work of Dr. Seuss. Like many of you, my siblings and I grew up watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas during the holiday season. My second grade teacher would often read Horton Hears a Who to our class. Dr. Seuss has been a part of my life for a long time.
When we choose Seussical! for our fall musical, I was faced with the genius of Dr. Seuss once again. The show’s art and imagery were unique and familiar, all at the same time. I was pulled back into the memories of my childhood, but I was also finding messages that resonated with me now as an adult. And I’ve found that I’m not alone in this. Dr. Seuss’s works don’t just mean something to my generation. They were meaningful to my parents, and they continue to be meaningful to children today. Recently, a few members of our cast visited the Monroe elementary schools to perform parts of Seussical! At each school, faces lit up when the characters took the stage. There is something magical and universal about Dr. Seuss.
My appreciation for Dr. Seuss’s genius and creativity really began while I was planning that interview lesson six years ago. Seuss may be best known for his children’s books, but his work resonates with us all for a reason. His talent lies in the ability to turn the complicated and foreign into the understandable and relatable. His characters have remained part of American culture for generations, because we identify with them. We see ourselves in their stories.
Seussical! contains dozens of wonderful life lessons throughout the show. Some are more quotable, such as “a person’s a person no matter how small” or “oh, the places you’ll go”. As you watch the show, I encourage you to think about what Dr. Seuss is teaching us. The characters live in a fantasy world, but their stories are not unlike our own. In a time when our nation and our world is divided over conflicts of race, faith, and politics, Seussical! challenges us to find what connects us as citizens and, most importantly, as human beings.
To the seniors: I feel very lucky to have directed you for the past four years. I have watched you grow both as actors and individuals, and I am excited to see the wonderful things you do when you leave Masuk. A special thank you belongs to our assistant musical director, Alex Gutierrez. Your passion for bringing life to the music of the show will be missed. I speak for the whole staff when I extend my deepest gratitude for your tireless efforts.
To the parents: thank you for your flexibility and for accommodating us in the work we’ve done together with your children. Your support is immense and we are truly grateful.
To my staff: thank you, once again, for being so amazing. From the set to the costumes, and everything in between, you made Dr. Seuss come alive on stage. Thank you for your time, talent, and incredible dedication.
Thank you all for sharing this with us. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
