"A person's a person, no matter how small," sings Daniel Cairo, in the guise of Horton the elephant, in the Alpine Community Theater production of "Seussical the Musical." This fits the production perfectly due to the range in the age of cast members, the youngest being 8 years old.

During a recent rehearsal, the young cast was giving its full attention to director Laura Snyder who was giving last minute tips to the young thespians as they worked on polishing up the production in time for opening night. This is Snyder's fifth directorial endeavor in Alpine.

"It is good family entertainment," Snyder said. "If you enjoyed 'Beauty and the Beast' last year, then you'll love Seussical."

The sets are painted vibrantly giving the illusion of the land of Dr. Seuss. The crew members who created the sets put special details into the props like the camera that follows the Cat in the Hat has the call letters "KCAT" displayed prominently as well as the Cat having a red and white striped piano reminiscent of his hat.

The musical was originally performed on Broadway in 2000 and has become a favorite of community theaters around the country.

Those with a little knowledge of the work of Dr. Seuss will recognize characters like the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch and Horton. There is also a plethora of other lesser known Seuss characters that get pushed to the foreground in this family friendly production.

The Horton costume is creative in its design that turns a young man into an elephant. "I love this role and I love the show," Daniel Cairo says. He went on to say how interesting and challenging it has been to work with his older sister.

"It's good to let loose and be free," Felesha Cairo), who plays the Sour Kangaroo said. Felesha is a highlight of the show. The audience can tell that she is into her roll and giving it her all.

Felesha performs with a smaller Kangaroo played by 11-year-old Kalli Jackson. "It adds so much to what I do, she completes me," Felesha said.

"It's been really fun," said baby Kangaroo Jackson who has an amazing voice and puts out a lot of sound for one so small. "It's one of the best parts I've had and I think the play is gonna be great."

Another highlight of the production team's work is the costume of Gertrude including a tail train that drags half way across the stage.

"It's a good thing I like purple," Ashley Gray said of her Gertrude dress. "Come one come all, I think the show will be fabulous."

"The youth are so talented," Alpine Arts Council President Chris Culve said. "We try to pick plays that will suit the community and help spotlight the talent."

Snyder has her cast go over the minutest details of the production so it is perfect during the performances, Culver said.

Music Director Michelle Sundwall, who is a vocal coach by profession, pulls each performer aside and works with them on a better way to sing different parts. As the group runs the scene again, it is evident that she has worked a little more magic.

During one part of the production, Rosa Parma playing a bird named Mayzie finds herself on an elevated platform without an easy way to descend. The cast has a welcome break as Parma tries different ways to attempt the feat injecting humor into the long night of rehearsal.

"It's a little tricky but it's good for a laugh," Parma said. "I'm the bad guy and it's fun because I don't usually get to be bad."

"We've shown a lot of improvement and we're having a lot of fun with it," Keith Allen, who plays the Cat in the Hat, said. "It is going to be a great show that everyone needs to come and see."