The leap will be short from New Tripoli to Who-ville when the cast of this year's musical recreates some of Dr. Seuss' most beloved characters on the middle school stage.

After doing "Hello Dolly" last year, Director Shaun Leisher said he "wanted to do something simpler."

"I knew I had talented kids but they [needed] a little experience," Leisher said.

"Seussical" is a mash up of several books written by Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

"The show isn't really resting on one character," Leisher said. "I wanted to do a show where every single character gets a chance to shine.

"Even [those] characters who don't have actual names have their moment in the show."

Bryce Heckendorn plays a slightly less traditional Cat in the Hat dressed in a tutu and heels.

"I changed it up," she explained. "I was looking at costumes I could pick out and I showed one to Shaun and he liked it.

"I kept the fresh attitude [but] I act more like a girl, I guess. He's one of the funniest characters and he likes to interact with kids."

Thomas Bell plays Horton, another one of Seuss' most famous characters.

"Horton is always facing some kind of trouble or danger," Bell said. "Kids get into situations sometimes and they have to find their way out of it, just like Horton."

Mikayla Shankweiler plays Jo Jo, the son of Who-ville's mayor.

"He basically thinks up the whole story," she explained. "Jo Jo is kind of like a 10-year-old kid who doesn't really have a lot of friends. '[Seussical] is his imaginary story. Jo Jo creates a world he can escape to."

Sixth grader Caitlyn Miller said her character, Gertrude McFuzz, is "like a teenager [who is] shy and unsure of herself and who is looking for a friend. She thinks Horton could be that friend."

Heckendorn admitted she used to be really afraid.

"But I started taking voice lessons and I became more comfortable," she said.

Shankweiler said she is sort of shy in school.

"[But] on the stage I can act like how I want," Shankweiler said. "[Plus] I just really like to act and hang out with friends."

This is Bell's second play but his first time with a main role.

"There are a lot of great people here and they're fun to be with," Bell said. "Shaun is a great director. He's great at teaching us choreography and he's really good with blocking."

Miller said she likes performing in front of people.

"I like singing and acting," said Miller. "I went to Shaun mom's camp at Weisenberg Lutheran Church for multiple summers where we learned some of the songs."

Alexandria Madeira, who plays Mayzie, said they started going over the scenes and the personalities of the characters and the story.

"It helps to know about your character and the show," Madeira said. "I'm a bird, a big red bird and I've got a red tail."

Her sister, Savannah Madeira, plays Mrs. Mayor, the wife of the mayor of Who-ville.

"I think that this is a very ambitious show," she said. "It's mostly singing but the themes are serious [ones] like peer pressure. Then there's Horton who stands up for what he believes in and Gertrude who [gains] confidence."

Leisher said "Seussical" revolves on relatable characters.

"This play focuses more on the human qualities of these characters," he said. "I always look for the kids to have an idea of the characters.

Seventh grader Anna Berardi plays the Sour Kangaroo.

"Most people know who Dr. Seuss is," Berardi said. "This [play] is just fun but I think there might be a message. You should be yourself and be able to express your imagination."

Imagination is at the very heart of this show.

"My dad is the main set guy," Leisher said. "He's led the crew in building the set and we borrowed pieces from a friend who did the play and added on."

Jill Danner devised the costumes.

"She did a lot of thrift shops and some of the stuff we had in our closet, but nothing is rented" Leisher explained. "We didn't buy the official 'Dr. Seuss kit.' We just repurposed things."

Danner's daughter is in the ensemble.

Heckendorn said her parents were really happy when she was given the role.

"My dad's been helping with sets and mom's been helping with costumes," Heckendorn said.

Shankweiler said her parents were really excited as well.

"My aunts and my grandmother are coming down from New York to see it," she said.

The entire middle school will have the chance to see the first act of this play on the day of the show.

"We're really limited in what we could do in middle school but it's a good story about bullying and standing up for yourself," Leisher said. "This show is so fantastical with the crazy words Dr. Seuss made up, [but] I wanted to make some of it more accessible.

" I'm just really proud of my awesome cast and crew but I want the parents to come with an open mind because there is really something for everyone in this show."

"Seussical" will have three performances, 7 p.m. April 24 and 25; and 2 p.m. April 26.

Tickets may only be purchased at the door.