Seussical is Musical

While the stage is covered with people in black, checking the sound in the front and the back, bright colored costumes hang on racks long and tall, preparing for actors as they wiz down the hall.

For the past six weeks, theater students have been singing and reciting their way through the works of Dr. Seuss in preparation for the opening of Seussical: The Musical tomorrow.

“I am interested to see the audience’s response because of the show’s history,” said William Lett, co-choreographer for the production and Cal State Fullerton professor. “The show had an unexpected life outside Broadway. It actually became more popular.”

The Cat in the Hat acts as a guide throughout the show introducing the audience to some of the most famous characters of Dr. Seuss, including Morton the Elephant and the Whos of Whoville. Tuffy, the Titan mascot, is even given a guest mention in one of the songs.

The majority of the production crew is students. The show’s director, Patrick Pearson, is a graduate student at CSUF and has directed campus productions before, but he said this is by far the biggest.

“This wasn’t completely foreign territory for me, but there were so many new elements to work with,” Pearson said.

Lett said Pearson adapted to the position with professionalism.

“He is clearly not a student; he is clearly a director,” Lett said.

Students are directing the costumes, makeup, hair, scenery, music and choreography.

“This allows the students to take on an authoritative position. When the students leave here, they have had the opportunity to design a show,” Pearson said.

During the past week, all the elements of the production have come together. Ryan Nearhoff, who plays the Cat in the Hat, said that working with the live orchestra and wearing the costumes gives the actors a boost after a tiring six weeks.

“It has been a roller-coaster ride. It has been fun, exciting and tedious,” Nearhoff said. “This is an exciting week when it all comes together.”

With the correct lighting and scenery in place, Lett said some of the dancing had to be “fine-tuned.” One scene involves the actors on roller skates, and if the choreography is off, they could end up in the orchestra pit, Lett said.

“When all the elements start coming together, then everyday there is a new obstacle,” he said.

Lett said the final week of a production always has its ups and downs, but they will be ready by show time.

Seussical: The Musical runs until Oct. 29 in the Little Theatre.

In high school, Ryan Nearhoff wanted to be a rock star.

This Friday he will take the stage, not as a drummer, but as one of the most well-known characters in children’s literature, the Cat in the Hat in Seussical: the Musical.

Last April, Nearhoff won the Williamstown Theater Festival Apprenticeship, and he considers the win quite a gift.

“It was an amazing glimpse at professional life,” Nearhoff said. “I feel like I really matured there.”

One moment that really struck him during the apprenticeship was when actress Kathleen Turner instructed to the master class that one important thing to do was to buy yourself one treat a week to remind yourself you’re special.

“It was something you didn’t expect her to say,” Nearhoff said.

The trip marked a huge change from someone who wasn’t happy about theater at first.

Nearhoff said he wasn’t thrilled when his mother enrolled both him and his sister in theater at age 15, but, eventually, he found his niche.

“I always liked to sing and perform,” he said.

The balance between singing, dancing and acting at CSUF is one Nearhoff says he admires.

“They really care about professionalism,” he said, “It is not quite just doing it because its fun. It is more about the art.”

For The Daily Titan thebuzz@Dailytitan.com

Photo by Ian Hamilton Photo by Ian Hamilton

By JULIANN A CRISALLI Daily Titan Staff Writer thebuzz@Dailytitan.com Wearing a Familiar Hat

By Erin Tobi n

By Karen Aman Daily Titan Staff Writer TheBuzz@Dailytitan.com

Daniel Ramirez was 10 years old when he and his father drove by a music store.

“I saw a green guitar, and at that time [green] was my favorite color,” Ramirez, 23, said. “So I just asked him to buy me a green guitar.”

Ramirez’ father took him into the music store and signed him up for guitar lessons.

“I never really found any interest in playing until I saw that guitar,” Ramirez said.

As Ramirez held his first guitar, though not the green one, his thoughts were, “Wow, I’m going to play music.”

He’s been playing ever since. Ramirez sits outside the performing arts building at CSUF strumming a beautiful ballad.

The Whos of Whoville introduce themselves through a song in the production.

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“It’s hard to portray those emotions out to the public,” he said. “I’m so nervous because I have to play just by myself and be able to support myself musically.”

Ramirez would like to teach guitar and perform at weddings, parties and whatever gig he can find after he graduates.

He said no matter what happens, it’s going to be a hard road.

“I’m already in a couple bands,” he said. “I have a hip-hop band that I’m doing, a cover band, and a trio group.”

Ramirez’ hip-hop band is called Illagan. The name is derived from the television show “Gilligan’s Island.” And the cover band is for parties and weddings, Ramirez said.

During his time at CSUF, he has had both dramatic and comedic parts, but he said he honestly doesn’t have a least-favorite role.

“Everything has been a great experience,” Nearhoff said.

Nearhoff said he didn’t expect to get the role of the Cat in the Hat but now it’s one of his favorites.

“There’s no holding back,” he said. “I get to be a child.”

Jim Voltz, a professor in the theater department, said The Cat in the Hat could very well be Nearhoff’s best performance at CSUF so far. 10.12.06 p.4 ........................................... The Cat in the Hat is Musical in Seussical

“The rock band is just for fun-we’re still looking for singers,” he said.

The song Ramirez enjoys playing the most is “Figueroaa,” a song that his rock band wrote.

“It’s about living in L.A. and the people that are used to that kind of life,” Ramirez said. “Everyone has their own little things that set them apart and make them special or different.”

Ramirez said guitar is his first love, and what he likes about it is the reaction he gets.

“It’s become such a part of me, it feels just like a natural thing now,” he said. “I like to play in front of people.”

“When it comes down to it, I don’t really like attention, but it’s just fun when people really like what you’re performing or what you

are trying to experience.”

Ramirez’ wildest ambition is touring.

“Playing music, going out, actually touring three months around the country, ” Ramirez said. “Just traveling and just doing it.”

Ramirez said he would be happy just being the guitarist in some band where the public knows only the singers.

“My dream is not to become famous,” he said. “I’d be happy doing something and not making as much. As long as I’m happy, that’s what I care about.”

And, if you’re curious, Ramirez never did play that green guitar.