JACK JANOWICZ is the Cat in the Hat (Ron Lyons photo).)

By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune

You may wonder or think – if thinks you do – whether “Seussical” at the Gem Theatre in Garden Grove may be just for you… well, never fear – come, take a chance! On this melodious interplay of music and dance!

Based upon books (beloved by so many) that one Dr. Seuss had written a-plenty; if about this show you find yourself curious, know it’s a performance of which you won’t want to miss!

Directed by Damien Lorton, “Seussical” is a musical celebration of the myriad works of Dr. Seuss, including “Horton Hears A Who” “Horton Hatches the Egg” and many others by the prolific author.

Led by the illustrious Cat In the Hat (Jack Janowicz), the audience is introduced to an array of characters, including the sympathetic and gentle Horton the Elephant (Peter Crisafulli) and his adorable bird neighbor – complete with secret crush on him – Gertrude McFuzz (Nicole Cassesso).

When Horton hears a mysterious cry for help, he zeros in on a small speck of dust… which he learns contains not one, not two, but a whole world full of microscopic “Whos”, including the Mayor of Whoville and his wife (Luke Desmond and Jenna Norseth) as well as their unconventional son Jojo (Niles Gray). Unlike the majority of Whoville, Jojo has a number of unusual “thinks’, making him stand out from the rest of the populace, to the chagrin of his parents, who just want him to be a normal boy.

Back in the macrocosm, the dust mote is being safeguarded by Horton on a single clover: but as much as he tries to tell his friends and neighbors about it, the more they disbelieve him. From the mocking, Sour Kangaroo (Mary Desmond) and Bird Girls (Kara Dillard, Courtney Hays and Harmony Ishikawa) to the simian Wickersham Brothers (Matthew Rangel, Nate Nolen and Jordan Simpson), the jungle is all a-twitter with gossip, badmouthing the determined elephant, who steadfastly believes that “a person is a person, no matter how small.”

The only ones to believe Horton are the smitten Gertrude – who’s also suffering self-esteem issues due to her dismal lack of plumage – and the colorful Mayzie laBird (Adriana Sanchez), who herself soon enlists the pacifistic pachyderm to egg-sit for her as she’s off galivanting and enjoying life.

Meanwhile, Jojo’s parents are at their wits’ end with their son and his “thinks’, deciding to shape him up and ship him out to the military academy run by General Genghis Kahn Schmitz (Aaron Gibbs), eager for new recruits to enlist in his war.

As above, so below – looking rough for Horton and Jojo: and with all of these obstacles, to what places will they – and the story — go?

It would be an easy misconception to assume that “Seussical” is a kids’ show, but it’s much more than that: it’s a jubilant flashback to many of our childhoods, to stories that shaped us and how we view the world.

The determination and empathy of Horton, the challenges of Gertrude struggling to accept herself, Jojo learning that thinking or being different can be a blessing and not a curse – these are the kind of lessons that carry over into adulthood, shaping ourselves and our futures. “Seussical” is a wonderful, nostalgic reminder of the stories and the “thinks” of the past that made us into who we are today.

The dance and musical numbers are magnificent and numerous throughout the show, and besides the main storylines, there’s many a callback to other popular characters (including Hayden Mangum in a brief cameo as the Grinch): and with exceptional performances by Crisafulli as Horton, Cassesso as Gertrude, Janowicz as the Cat In the Hat, Sanchez’s Mayzie and particularly the excellent work of the young Mr. Gray as Jojo, this show is a wonderful, moving, charming celebration of Dr. Seuss’ work.

With stellar portrayals of beloved childhood characters, brilliant dance pieces and a plethora of songs to stick with you long after the curtain has fallen, “Seussical” is as much for adults as for kids… and may just reawaken the inner child in you.

“Seussical”, Jack Janowicz, Peter Crisafulli and Nicole Cassesso star in this colorful musical adaptation of the work of childhood author Dr. Seuss. Now playing through Sept. 29 at The Gem Theater 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-741-9550 x221 or email boxoffice@onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information. Appropriate for all ages.