Seussical Jr. brings Dr. Seuss magic to Sisters stage
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The colorful world of Dr. Seuss is coming to life in Sisters this weekend as Ovation Performing Arts debuts its youth production of “Seussical Jr.” at Sisters High School.
The family-friendly musical runs March 27-29 at 1700 W. McKinney Butte Road, featuring a cast of nearly 40 Central Oregon children ages 6 to 13. Tickets are $15.
Based on the stories of Dr. Seuss and adapted by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the production follows Horton the Elephant and the tiny residents of Whoville, delivering the message that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Director Jonathan Shepherd said the show blends the author’s signature whimsy with a deeper emotional arc.
“I’ll admit that I went in expecting a hodgepodge of mismatching props, musical styles and main character species, but ‘Seussical’ quickly stole my heart,” Shepherd said. “It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s unexpectedly hard by the end. ‘Seussical Jr.’ is the perfect 60-minute family musical package.”
The production leans into the imaginative nature of Seuss’ stories, incorporating vibrant costumes, energetic choreography and a wide range of playful elements — from bubble props to musical surprises — to create what Shepherd describes as a “dream-show playground.”
The show is also a community-driven effort. Parents contribute behind the scenes with set construction, costumes and coordination, while young performers help support the production offstage.
Although Ovation Performing Arts has roots as a homeschool theater group, the cast now includes students from public and private schools across Central Oregon. Shepherd said the program continues to grow as more families seek opportunities in youth theater.
“We’re determined to grow to meet the growing demand,” he said.
Audience members can also purchase souvenirs, raffle tickets and candy grams for performers during the show.
Looking ahead, the group is preparing for a busy season, including a full-length production of “Frozen” planned for June, along with summer classes and a student-directed “Alice in Wonderland” as part of a new “OPA Passion Project” initiative.
More information and tickets are available at ovationpa.com.
