I can see that you’ve got quite a mind for your age!

Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage!

Now, I’m here, there is no telling what may ensue

With a Cat such as me, and a Thinker like you!

Oh, the thinks you can think!

Oh, the thinks you can think

If you’re willing to try…

When audiences come to Albert Lea High School to see the fall musical, they’ll get a showcase of more than 20 Dr. Seuss books, themes and ideas in one adventure-packed show.

The high school will present “Suessical the Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the ALHS auditorium.

“It follows the stories of Horton, Gertrude, Mayzie, Jojo and the Cat in the Hat as they all learn the value of thinking and remembering that a person is a person not matter how small,” said director Molly Wilken.

She said she chose “Seussical” because it is a high-energy show from beginning to end.

“It is an ensemble show, meaning the whole cast is on the stage for the majority of the show, which is great for gaining theater experience,” Wilken said. “I also chose it because it is very family friendly and I knew audiences would love to see it.”

The play features Zach Wilke as the Cat in the Hat, Aaron Thomas as Horton, Noah Christopherson as the Mayor, Kelly Duncomb as the Mayor’s Wife, Jeremy Sekora s JoJo, Holly Ryks as Gertrude, Emily Troe as Mayzie, Maddy Ruble as Sour Kangaroo, Ben Haney as the Grinch and Matt Attig as Schmitz.

The Wickersham Brothers are played by Tim Stoneking, Ben Knutson and Stuart Behling. The Bird Girls are played by Sarah Hundley, Mckinzey Christian, Zoe Hill, Kayla Hartmann, Samantha Petersen and Lana Howe.

Tickets for “Seussical the Musical,” which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Albert Lea High School auditorium, are $7 for adults and $5 for students. They may be purchased at Doyle’s Hallmark, Addie’s Floral and Tone Music.

Other cast members include Nick Bera, Dean Anderson, Jessica Sanderson, Morgan Ciota, Ashley Petersen, Ella Otten, Chelsea Petersen, Brielle Smith, Kyle Zogg, Logan Wood, Sarah Estes, Claire Buendorf, Megan Haukoos, Mollie Hernandez, Katie Cope, Alayna Wood, Andy Ehrhardt, Daryan Parker, Maddie Weniger, Emily Stoneking, Lani Hanson, Macy Paul and Rachel Stevens.

Wilken said some of the students were familiar with the show, and she could tell that in auditions. “Others had never heard of it, but they soon fell in love once they heard the music.”

The show is music nonstop, Wilken said.

“There is maybe a page or two of script, but our pit is still playing under them. It has been difficult matching everything to music,” she said. “Plus, there are no black-out or scene changes; the show runs nonstop from the first note to the last in Act I. Act II is the same.”

Wilken added that pit and choral director Diane Heaney has been challenged by “the crazy music that switches genres, keys and tempos often.

“People will love the energetic music that will make you want to dance, too,” she said.

Members of the pit orchestra are: Josh Jensen, Amanda Wood and Whitney Sauer, trumpet; Kayla Swee and Liz Winkels, trombone; Ray Stephenson, drums; Erin Everhard and Kelsey Thomas, percussion; Brock Besse and Lilah Aas, keyboard; Diane Heaney, piano; Paige Ford and Rebekah Crissinger, violin; Gygy Cervantes, viola; Mitch Wood, cello; Alex Nielsen, bass; and Gayle Brownlow, bassoon.

Wilken said people will also enjoy the “crazy, Seuss-like set that John Fure has designed, including a tree that holds Horton, the nest and egg.”

The sound and light crew includes: Jeff Thorstad, light and sound design; Jeff Bodensteiner, lights; Chris Weniger, sound; Michelle Hartmann, spotlights and sound; and Kelli Sanderson, spotlights.

Wilken said she believes the play will remind people of their childhood or of reading Seuss’ stories to their children. “We are drawn to his crazy characters, but he uses them to portray wonderful messages about life,” she said.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased at Doyle’s Hallmark, Addie’s Floral and Tone Music.