Seussical Jr. a smashing success
June 15, 2011
The Swingin' on a Star production of Seussical Jr., the first show at Bonners Ferry's Pearl Theater, ended a four-night run of sold-out shows Tuesday night.

By Mike Weland

In the years I've lived in Boundary County, not a day goes by that I'm not impressed by the stunning array of talent of the people who call this place home. I was floored, however, by the talented cast who ended their four-day run of Seussical Jr. Tuesday evening ... their amazing talent and energy proved the perfect debut performance for the new Pearl Theater, which is still being transformed from what used to be the Community Fellowship Church.

Director Victoria Thomspon was presented a beautiful bouquet prior to the final performance of Seussical Jr., presented her by the Birdgirls.
Prior to the final performance, "The Birdgirls," Edie Callison, Myla McKechnie and Sara Owinyo presented director and choreographer Victoria Thompson a big boquet of flowers and a balloon in thanks for all her work, and once the show began, it was plain to see that her hard work paid dividends, as every performer shone to bring to life the magical world of Dr. Seuss. Liz Wilder's Cat in the Hat sang and performed her role with elan, capturing the nuance of that mischevious character, and every performer filled the buidling to the rafters with their talent and enthusiasm.

Each of the four performances saw the Pearl filled to capacity, with kids taking to the floor right in front of the performers ... possibly the best seats in the house, even without seats!

In addition to the Birdgirls and the Cat in the Hat, Carissa Reed played Gertrude McFuzz, Carl Svec was an outstanding Horton the Elephant, Devin Fredericks was JoJo, a Who, Lauren Skye Palmer was Mayzie La Bird, Gabe Palmer was the Mayor of Whoville, Emily Fredricks his wife, Mrs. Mayor of Whoville, Annie Elliston was the Sour Kangaroo, Duncan McKechnie was Baby Roo, Jessie McKechnie the Elephant Bird and Matthew Spreeuw was Vladvladikoff. Michael Youngwirth was Yertle the Turtle, and the Wickersham Monkeys were Marta Matthews, Gabe Palmer, Kailey Palmer, Michael Youngwirth, Matthew Spreeuw and Lauren Skye Palmer. Joining the jungle animals, the Citizens of Whoville and the circus people on the chorus were Ada Bonnell, Nathan Olsen, Matthew Spreeuw, Steven Svec, Isaac Wilson and Brooklyn Wilson.

Liz Wilder, as the Cat in the Hat, turned in an amazing performance, singing, dancing and bringing her character to life.
In all, these young performers gave their audience a spectacle not to miss, and from all the chatter after the show, no one went away disappointed.

Helping Thompson in production of the spectacular show were assistant directors Lisa Palmer, Rona Hall and Holly Robertson, and everybody, the performers, their parents, the directors, Mary Matthews, Chinna McKechnie and Christine and John Callison. Working lights and sound were Lisa Palmer and Lynn Hayworth.

Special thanks from both cast and crew went out to Carolyn Testa, owner of the Pearl Theater, who addressed the audience before the performance, explained the work planned for the summer and told of the first "official" performance scheduled for the by-then remodeled Pearl,  "An Electric Romance," directed by Paul Rawlings. A casting call for actors, musicians, singers and dancers at will be held at 5:45 p.m. June 29 at the Bonners Ferry Visitors Center. and the play will be presented at the Pearl Theater sometime in October. To find out more, call Rawlings at (208) 267-5332.

Special thanks for Seussical Jr. also went out to Thompson Chiropractic, which underwrote the production, to Trinity Lutheran Church, where not only rehearsals for Seussical Jr. took place, but where Swingin' on a Star, the award-winning Bonners Ferry Children's Choir, has practiced and rehearsed for years. The Bonners Ferry High School Drama and Music departments and Dave Carpenter also received thanks for the use of the special lighting and some of the set.

Victoria Thompson wrote a note of thanks on the show's program.

"Thanks to so many are in order, for it is impossible to put on a show like this without a huge amount of help ... from our assistant directors Rona, Lisa and Holly, who were there assisting with everything, to my husband, Jim Thompson, and friend Jon Bard, who put in an afternoon hauling platforming, to John Callison, who spent hours putting legs on platforms and making them secure, to Edie, Greta and Christine Callison, who made the nest and egg, to Chinna McKechnie, who searched out material and made clover after clover, to Michael Palmer, who spent hours making our rolling tree, and Mary Matthews, who stitched up everything we needed, and Lisa Palmer, who found innumerable costumes and props, to Carolyn, who tore down a wall and let us in the Pearl just a day after the church moved out. This is truly a community event!"

In the best sense of the phrase, she is spot on!