"And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed. Kid, you'll move mountains!"
So said Dr Seuss, and the students of Hillcrest High School certainly have moved mountains in their efforts to bring Seussical the Musical to life.
Directed by Scot Hall, Seussical the Musical isa mash-up of many Dr Seuss stories and includes favorite characters such as Cat in the Hat, Horton the elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, the Whos, Yertle the Turtle and many more.
With more than 100 students involved in the production Mr Hall said it was truly a whole-school effort.
"Lots of music and speech reflects all the quirkiness as well as the heart of Dr Seuss," he said.
"The meter of his words lend themselves very well to song."
Drury Lane Dance School tutor Mike Sorensen is choreographing the event and guiding 50 students through the various numbers, and Martin Griffiths is fulfilling the role of musical director for the 21 musical numbers.
Student Daniel O'Rourke, who was cast as Mr Horton, said it was fun to see characters you grew up with come to life.
It has been a gruelling schedule for the students, with Tuesday and Friday afternoons given over to rehearsals as well as most Saturdays, when working bees have also been held for the community to chip in.
"As we get closer we will start adding in Sundays and Mondays," Daniel said.
The Cat in the Hat will be performed by Finley Hughes, who has big shoes to fill with the role. It was previously performed by international musician and former Hillcrest student Kimbra.
"That's been pretty nerve-racking because whenever someone asks they remember Kimbra and how incredible she was," he said.
Finley described the whole production as a bowl of laughs.
"If you can take the essence of a Dr Seuss book - that's was it has been like."
Seussical the Musical runs from March 30-April 2 at Clarence Street Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from from www.eventopia.co
