TOPSHAM – Midcoast Youth Theater will present “Seussical, Jr.,” which weaves together the most famous tales and characters of Dr. Seuss in unexpected ways, Aug. 16-18 at Mount Ararat High School.

Characters who never met in the original stories meet in this show. Some fall in love. Some travel everywhere from the Jungle of Nool to McElligott’s Pool to Palm Beach. Others experience desperate adventures. And still others save the world.

Along the way, they remind readers of virtues Dr. Seuss believed in: harnessing the power of the imagination, helping a friend, never giving up, keeping a promise, preserving the fragile natural world, and creating peace among nations and in every heart.

The show and its songs, written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, were co-conceived by Eric Idle. The score is a lively mix of musical styles, ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel and R&B to funk.

The production is Midcoast Youth Theater’s fifth annual youth summer show, featuring the talents of local students in grades 2-9. It is directed by Henry Eichman, with assistance from music director David Olsen Petrowski and choreographer Pam Tondreau.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors, $5 for ages 5-8. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information, call 729-1819, or www.youth-theater.org.