Lyric Theatre's stylishly fun puppet treatment of Dr. Seuss is the cat's meow
Lyric Theatre is brightening its Plaza Theatre stage and the dreary winter months with the color and whimsy of the Dr. Seuss classic “The Cat in the Hat.”
An add-on to Lyric's 2020 subscription season, “The Cat in the Hat” is the fourth annual installment in the nonprofit organization's Theatre for Young Audiences program, and the venerable musical theater company affirms that it's not cutting corners just because these shows are intended for children.
Faithful to the beloved book, “The Cat in the Hat” was originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain and was adapted and initially directed by Katie Mitchell. Lyric's show is another co-production with Adventure Theatre MTC in Washington, D.C. The Oklahoma City company also collaborated with Adventure Theater MTC on the series' 2017 title, “James and the Giant Peach.”
The 45-minute musical “The Cat in the Hat” is a puppet show, but not the kind of lackluster sock puppet presentation often associated with children's theater. This production boasts an imaginative concept developed, directed and choreographed by Adam Immerwahr and an array of elaborate puppets designed by Andrea “Dre” Moore.
Fusing Seuss' deceptively simple story with sophisticated yet accessible stagecraft, the show is narrated by NPR's Ari Shapiro and features lively music composed by four-time Oscar winner Henry Mancini.
Donning the title character's signature striped stovepipe hat with frisky confidence, Josiah Brooks is the fun-loving feline, but the other characters are portrayed by puppets his co-stars operate in full view of the audience.
Gamely wielding adorable toddler-size puppets controlled by rods, Eli Bradley and Kalyn Glover portray The Boy and Sally, bored siblings stuck inside on a rainy day that drags on until the titular cat makes his entrance — to the playful “Pink Panther” theme. The Cat's rambunctious style raises the ire of the kids' Fish, portrayed by Lexi Windsor with a hand puppet.
Katelyn Curtin and Kaleb Michael Bruza juggled assorted puppet iterations of the Cat's excitable sidekicks
Thing 1 and Thing 2, frequently zipping out into the audience at the Saturday evening performance to shake hands with youngsters or twirl kites over their heads.
In an era when children spend much of their free time staring screens, Seuss' timeless tale makes the case for creative play, preferably with new friends and followed by responsible clean-up. And Lyric's
“The Cat in the Hat” provides an engaging opportunity for families to enjoy the magic of live theater, an art form that, thankfully, provides entertainment with no password required.
Performances continue through Feb. 9. For tickets and information, go to www. lyrictheatreokc.org.