PARIS — Oxford Hills School/Community Broadway Musical has announced audition dates for “Seussical,” the Broadway smash hit that lovingly brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, and many others.

The year 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the biennial Broadway production, which began in 1974 with “Fiddler on the Roof.” Forty years and 20 Broadway shows later, the producers of “Seussical” are eager to launch the community musical into a new age of exciting, spellbinding and modern shows.

“The community Broadway musical has always been a showcase of talent here in the Oxford Hills. It’s been a thing of pride for us – to put on a quality production using the musical, acting and technical abilities of people from our own towns,” said Kyle Jordan, who is directing the music for “Seussical” and co-producing with Jenn St. Pierre.

Both Jordan and St. Pierre are Oxford Hills graduates and have participated in several past productions. Jordan and St. Pierre tapped fellow graduate Andrew Turner to direct this year’s production. Turner is also a veteran of stage productions here in the Oxford Hills as an actor and director.

“It’s time to invest in the next generation of performers and audiences,” Turner said. “The old classics – ‘Oklahoma,’ ‘Annie,’ and ‘West Side Story,’ were huge draws. They have their respectful places in the pantheon of Broadway hits. Now, we need to bring to the stage the shows being produced today on Broadway; the exciting hit shows of this generation.”

“Seussical” is the perfect choice for just that, Turner believes. With its colorful, circus?like production appeal, large call for young actors, and written using the imagination of one of the world’s greatest children’s illustrators and writers, “Seussical” offers a modern vehicle to create new excitement for younger actors and audiences.

“This will be huge,” Jordan said. “It will be the kind of spectacle that the stage was meant for. And what makes it fantastic is that we have the talent right here – as always – to make it happen.”

The production calls for 12 principle acting parts, six cameos as well as an assortment of ensembles. Parts are needed from actors and actresses of all ages and those auditioning are asked to not bring their own musical piece.

Auditions will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 6 and 7, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Callbacks, if necessary, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9.

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