Young adults with Down syndrome — involved with the Schaumburg-based UPS for DownS — are having a blast portraying some of Dr. Seuss’ most memorable characters, including Horton the Who, The Cat in the Hat and Gertrude McFuzz to name a few.
Liam Sanchez of Palatine plays Horton (Photos by Brian O’Mahone)
They will bring these characters to life in Seussical Jr., opening at 7 p.m. tonight at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Performances continue at 7 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find ticket information here.
“This is the 18th production for UPS for DownS, bringing together youth of all abilities,” says Sandy Pazerunas, an UPS for DownS board member from Inverness. Her daughter, Lindsey, has appeared in every one and has blossomed from her theater experience.
The organization’s mission is to inspire community acceptance by sharing the presence, potential and abilities of people with Down syndrome. Its theatre company is an expression of that mission as it showcases the abilities — and character — of these young actors.
Amanda Ewald of Arlington Heights has fun with her character.
“We are partnering with Megan Gray, fine arts chairman at Saint Viator and director of Seussical Jr.,” Pazerunas adds. “She has brought incredible energy to this inclusive program that features people with Down syndrome, friends and their peers.”
The show centers around the book Horton Hears a Who. Horton the elephant has large ears, so he is the only one who is able to hear the Whos shouting for help on their tiny speck of dust as they careen through the air. The other citizens in the Jungle of Nool think he is crazy, but Horton stands firm in his belief, declaring one of the show’s most memorable lines: “A person’s a person no matter how small.”
“This phrase, brief as it is, carries weight, serving as a call to action,” Gray says, “and reminding audience members that it is our collective responsibility to care for those around us.”
Jamie Brooks of Arlington Heights plays Maize.
In the past, the UPS for DownS Theatre Company has staged its musicals at Conant High School, but for the past few years, the theatre group has found a home at Saint Viator, with Gray directing the show. Two of her theater students, Grace Adler and Thomas Bollard, are serving as student directors, while more students are helping out working behind the scenes, serving as ushers and working concessions.
“I don’t think students have much of a chance to engage with our community,” Pazerunas says. “I think this fits with the school’s mission and gives the student body a chance to engage in social justice and community engagement.”
There are approximately 50 in the cast, including actors with and without Down syndrome. They range in age from 11 to 39 and every one of them takes their commitment to acting and the show seriously. They come to rehearsals — which began in October — prepared and ready to work, Gray says.
Kyle Marini and Liam Dillon, of Wheaton, play the part of The Cat in the Hat in this inclusive production.
“This is the most positive group of performers I have ever encountered – they are constantly encouraging one another and lifting each other up, onstage and off,” Gray says. “Although we do have a shiny, impressive production awaiting our audiences at the end of the week, for me, it’s all about the process.
“From auditions, to choreography, to learning the music, problem-solving quick changes, memorizing lines, and much more,” she adds, “there are so many skills that our actors have learned throughout the course of the year that can also benefit them in their day-to-day lives. It has been the joy of a lifetime to get to work with this incredible team.”
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