Also this issue: The Right Hand Giveth... Richard Price talks about his new novel, Samaritan, and the selfish side of altruism. -Interview by Frank Halperin Fly South for Winterthur A Delaware estate presents a unique display of Mexican art. -Robin Rice Domestic Bliss -Susan Hagen Flipping the Bird -Lori Hill Nikki Giovanni -Elisa Ludwig A Plantsman in Asia: 1979-1999 -Lori Hill Artsbeat -Debra Auspitz

January 9-15, 2003

artpicks

Seussical: The Musical

" The Mayor grabbed a tom-tom. He started to smack it. And, all over Whoville, they whooped up a racket."

The writings of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) cry out to be set to music, with wonderfully silly rhymed couplets about Star-Belly Sneetches, colorful aquatic fauna and top-hatted felines. While not a word-for-word adaptation, Seussical is an inspired and original musical by Tony Award-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime) and Monty Python alumnus Eric Idle (no stranger to silliness). The story follows Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Yertle the Turtle, The Grinch, The Cat in the Hat (remarkably portrayed by Cathy Rigby, who starred in the Broadway run of the show) and others on a journey into the Jungle of Nool. All is not well in the jungle and it is up to the zany menagerie to set things to right -- an interesting juxtaposition for the notoriously mischievous Cat. The songs are catchy and a perfect introduction to musical theater for children too young for more mature fare. In true Seuss fashion, Seussical mixes a message in with all the fantabulous silliness. The musical romp teaches the joys of imagination and celebrates those, like Seuss, who dare to color outside the lines.

Seussical: The Musical, Tue.-Sun., Jan. 14-Jan. 19, $42-$67, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-336-2000.

—Jesse Delaney