The wonderful works of Dr. Seuss will be brought to life by the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts (CSOPA) next week.

CSOPA stages Seussical: The Musical--a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza--from Jan. 13 to 23 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island) have lovingly brought to life many favourite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and a little child with a big imagination--Jojo.

The story centres around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge--not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes "his kind and his powerful heart."

Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant, in a for-all ages story that will make you laugh and cry.

Horton the Elephant is played by Will Hutchinson, Jojo by Olivia Simpson, and the mischief-making Cat in the Hat by Brandon Mindel. Mayzie La Bird will be played by Gemma Bridgefoot, the Sour Kangaroo by Brittany Clough, while Emily Janzen will play Gertrude McFuzz. The Mayor of Whoville will be played by Maxwell Glover, Krista Skwarok as Mrs. Mayor, Caylen Braun as General Genghis Khan Schmitz, and Mayzie's Bird Girls by Jacklyn Kirsch, Alycia Duncan, Hannah deNevers, Katy Fairley and Hyacinthe Lithgow. Rounding out the rest of the cast are Ella Stuart, Jonathan Woyke, Emily Lesage, Meghan Mindel, Kate Stuart, Anastasia Smith, Carmen Sigurdson, Sebastian Warkentin-Scott, and Brandon Grove as The Grinch.

Andrew Smith is the director, Chris King is the musical director and Shelley Wojcik the choreographer. Set is by Kate Whyte, costumes by Heather Westergard and lights by Jamea Lister.

Suessical music is by Stephen Flaherty; lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle.

- Seussical opens on Jan. 14 and runs until Jan. 23. Discount ticket night is on Jan. 13, with matinees on Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23. Evening showtimes are 7:30 p.m, matinees are at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $17 for adults, $14 for students/seniors. Discount ticket night prices are $9.75 all seats. Tickets can be purchased by calling the cultural centre box office at 604-391-SHOW (7469).