Horton's a hero in 'Seussical the Musical Jr.'

Audiences can travel into the world of Dr. Seuss and Whoville when "Seussical the Musical Jr." takes center stage over the next two weekends in Naperville.

Presented by DuPage Spotlight Youth Theater, the production features students ages 8 to 18 at Compass Auditorium, 1551 E. Hobson Road, Naperville. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28; 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 22 and March 1; and 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 23 and March 2.

Tickets are $9 to $12 in advance ($2 more at the door) and are available by calling (847) 516-2298 or visiting www.spotlight.org. Reduced prices are available for children, seniors and groups.

The show follows Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge: not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible 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 and "his kind and powerful heart."

Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Spotlight Youth Theater is a nonprofit, educational theater arts program for students ages 4 through 18 in the Aurora, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kenosha, Lake, McHenry, Milwaukee, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rockford Metro, and Shorewood areas and serves roughly 6,000 students a year.

Each area offers summer camps and after-school classes in dance, voice, drama and theatrical specialties, and performs three fully staged musicals a year.