How the director will steal the show!
When one cast member suggested Grant High School theater director Matt Erickson play the elephant bird at the end of their show, "Seussical," Erickson agreed.
But he had one demand: "I told them if you want me to do it, you have to earn it."
Erickson, the father of 7-year-old Jovi who has autism, asked students to raise money for Walk Now for Autism Foundation.
"If they raise some good money for the charity, I will wear a tutu and wings and be the bird," he said.
Senior Dan Storm said it is great to raise money for a cause and help find a cure. But he adds it also may be fun to see their director dressed up.
"We've already see the costume and it makes him look a little ridiculous," he said. "We all really hope to get to see him wear it in the show."
"Seussical" will open at 7 p.m. Friday. Performances will continue at 7 p.m. April 19, 25 and 26 and 2 p.m. April 20 and 27. The high school is at 285 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake.
The production is based on creations written by Dr. Seuss. To help enhance the set, members of Grant's art club have painted eight Dr. Seuss book covers that will hang on the walls in the auditorium.
Through the show's run, audiences can bid on these paintings through a silent auction. The paintings will be awarded to the highest bidder at intermission April 27. The money also will be donated to the Walk Now for Autism Foundation.
Throughout "Seussical," characters from various Dr. Seuss books are brought together to overcome obstacles and adventures.
"There is Yertle the turtle, Horton the elephant and Jojo, a child in one story," said Storm, who plays the Cat in the Hat. "You see them all brought together in a really amazing way."
Senior Sara Schreck plays Jojo, the mayor's son who is a Who. Jojo imagines all the stories the audience will see on stage. But then the Cat in the Hat gets Jojo into trouble by putting him into the story.
Among the characters Jojo meets is Horton the elephant. Freshman Mike Claver hopes to do Horton justice, a character who shows care with the egg and the Whos.
"I want to show Horton is tried and true," he said.
Schreck enjoys the story for the message behind the songs. In "Alone in the Universe," sung by Jojo and Horton, they both come to realize that although they may feel alone, they still can rely on each other. Another is Jojo's song, "It's possible."
"He's sure that no matter what happens, anything is possible," Schreck said. "I hope kids take that to heart."
Rounding out the imaginative cast also include Jeshanah Smith as the Sour Kangaroo, Michelle Okoniewski as Mayzie, Ashley Foreman as Gertrude, Vince Azzano as Schmitz, Kenny Feldhausen as Yertle the turtle, Dakota Clark as the Mayor, Becky Tokarz as Mrs. Mayor and Ramsey McDonald as the Grinch.
Robert McDonough, Robert Sheehan, Alex Mason, Kelsey Peters and Jackie Schupple are some of the supporting cast members.
Getting the chance to raise money for autism while preparing for the show has been an eye-opener, Mike Claver said. He hopes their effort not only will raise money but also bring a stronger awareness of autism.
A recent preview of Erickson wearing the elephant bird's costume makes the students even more motivated to complete this challenge, Schreck adds.
"It's a win-win situation," she said with a laugh.
Tickets cost $7 for seniors, students and children. Adult tickets cost $9. For information, visit Grant's Web site at www.grantbulldogs.org.