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Indeed, They Will Succeed!

CANDACE C. MUNDY/TAMPA TRIBUNE PHOTO

Members of the cast of the musical production of Seussical Jr. rehearse a number from the upcoming play. Seussical Jr. will be performed by a cast of students at Bryant Elem. School, the school's first-ever play, at Sickles HS Feb. 1st and 2nd.

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

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NINE EAGLES - Think Liza Minelli, parent Jacquie Singleton said, with a growl in your song and some sass in your strut.

Ten-year-old Devin Morris might not know who Minelli is, but she got the idea.

"I can't sing like that," she told Singleton, looking concerned. Singleton walked her through the motions. Devin tried her solo another time, attacking it with jazz hands and Broadway flair, watching for Singleton's nods to make sure she stayed on the right track.

Devin was flying through a recent afternoon rehearsal of "Seussical Jr." at Bryant Elementary School. As the Cat in the Hat, who serves as a narrator, Devin weaves together a plot of Dr. Seuss stories. She rushes from one scene to the next with quick costume changes to pop up as a bailiff, circus barker and cabana boy.

All of Bryant is a stage these days, as the school prepares for its first large-scale production, which will run Feb. 1 and 2 at Sickles High School. The multipurpose room after school serves as a rehearsal spot, with costumes hanging from a dry-erase board, backpacks stacked against a wall and children waiting cross-legged in mismatched, striped "Seuss socks" for their scenes.

Nearly 70 children will appear in the show, ranging from fifth-grader McKenzie Russell, who plays Horton, the central character, to kindergartner Ella Winkler's scene-stealing baby elephant bird.

Third-grader Madelyn Kemp plays a Who.

"I said, 'I'm going to try something new,'" she said. "I love to sing and dance."

Kirsten Mayer, 10, said she was having fun playing Mayzie, a bratty bird.

"I'm the one who thinks she's all that," the 10-year-old said.

Bryant Principal Karen Bass said it has been rewarding seeing the children rise to the challenge. Some of the students participating had not stepped forward in school previously to excel in academics or sports, she said, but are shining in the spotlight. She said she hopes the experience of the show exposes them to more possibilities.

"Talents are so varied," Bass said. "You're not necessarily good at everything, but I think that it's wonderful to have something that they can shine at, that they are good at."

Retired Westchase Elementary Principal Roseanne Miller is directing Bryant's show. Singleton, a mom, volunteered to sew costumes and direct the music. Other volunteers offer choreography or photography services or help corral restless children between scenes. Art teacher Chan Bliss designed a storybook backdrop that former students will help paint.

Sickles waived the rental fee for its stage, allowing the elementary children the room they need for the production.

Bass had wanted to start a drama program at Bryant since she became its principal in 2005 but the timing wasn't right until this year. She had served as assistant principal at Westchase under Miller, where they put on school plays, and talked about Miller helping her one day when she retired and Bass became a principal.

Bass mentioned it to her friend during a trip to Italy last year, and Miller, who retired three years ago, said she was ready.

Miller has a passion for the arts and has put on plays at most of her schools, starting when she was a teacher at Shaw Elementary 30 years ago.

"I'm enjoying retirement, but I love this," she said. "It's such a great experience for children."

Every child who auditioned got a part, and Miller said she saw their abilities grow as they practiced throughout fall. They also are building their self-confidence, she said.

Devin said the best part has been hanging out with everyone and meeting other students. First-graders and third-graders share inside jokes with fifth-graders as they kill time during rehearsals, and the student actors find themselves answering questions from curious classmates about whether the show will be good and whether they get nervous.

The children got "Seussical Jr." T-shirts and will appear on the school morning show to promote the production.

Miller said she has been amazed at how much support she has gotten from parents and the community, including people who have no direct ties with the school but have services to offer.

"When you do it for children, God helps out," Miller said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bryant Elementary School's "Seussical Jr.," a version of the Broadway musical adapted for student productions

WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2

WHERE: Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway

COST: Tickets are $10, and the proceeds will benefit the elementary school

INFORMATION: Call the school, (813) 356-1645

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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