When boredom strikes Sally and her brother while their mother is away, it seems as though there is nothing to be done to brighten up the rainy day. Then in barges a mischievous cat wearing an unforgettable hat who brings enormous amounts of entertainment to the two children.

Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s Children’s Performance Troupe is diving into Dr. Seuss's classic children’s book, The Cat in the Hat, for the company’s 45th season of fun for all ages. Bubbles and balls fly through the air, Things 1 and 2 run rampant, and a crazy balancing act occurs as the Cat in the Hat turns the kids’ day inside out.

The Cat takes these kids on an amazing adventure, living by the motto “It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” As they take in the Cat in the Hat’s shenanigans with wide eyes, the children’s fish becomes worried about the consequences of the Cat’s activities and tries her best to keep everything in line. When what started as great fun turns into pandemonium, Sally, her brother, and their fish all wonder how they are going to clean up the mess. Not to mention, what sort of trouble will they be in when their mom gets home?

Dr. Seuss is famous for his whimsical, bright illustrations and out-of-the-box stories. He was challenged to write a book from a list of words that first and second graders should know. After much frustration, Dr. Seuss decided to write the book based on the first two words he found that rhymed on the list – and The Cat in the Hat was born. The book was immediately a hit, and ultimately was a part of the first group in the series of “I Can Read” books that encourages children to read on their own, rather than having others read to them. This play takes the beloved book nearly word for word and brings it to life through the magic of theatre. Audiences of all ages have been left giggling from this fun and lively production.

Desha Crownover, director of both Children’s Performance Troupe shows this season, shared that she wants the kids who watch the production to know that “your imagination can take you anywhere - even within a book there’s lots of room to move.” The Cat in the Hat, over the course of 30 minutes, will broaden children's imaginations and fill them with awe and wonder. This interactive performance will keep audience members from 3 to 105 on the edge of their seats with excitement.

Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) is West Michigan’s premier professional theatre company for the last 45 years. The company is a unique blend of distinguished professionals and young theatre artists from all over the United States, creating an intergenerational synergy between our emerging and advanced artists. The theatre is distinguished by the wide variety of plays and musicals performed by one resident acting company. This wide variety of repertoire is unified by the goal to explore and celebrate the joy and complexity of the human condition. The company numbers over 100 annually taking up residence for the summer in Holland; producing 6 shows in rotation every summer on the DeWitt Theatre stage—a 494 seat thrust space and the DeWitt Studio—a 125 seat theatre in the round.

The Cat in the Hat features the talents of an eight member cast and production team: Cast: Darius Lee (Boy), Mariah Lyttle (Kitten), Samantha McHenry (Thing), AllisaBeth Morton (Kitten), Alexis Nwokoji (Fish), Akia Smith (Sally), Lance Spencer (The Cat in the Hat), Julia Lindsey Whitcomb​(Thing).

Creative Team: Desha Crownover (Director), Keenan Minogue ​(Scenic Designer), Emily Westing ​(Costume Designer), Emily Brown ​(Lighting Designer), Tyler Knowles ​(Sound Designer), Megan Meier ​(Stage Manager), Eliza Burwell ​(Assistant Stage Manager), Rachel Kennedy​(Publicist).

The Cat in the Hat
Based on the Book by Dr. Seuss
Adapted by Katie Mitchell

Performance Dates | 10:30 a.m. shows: June 29 • July 1, 8, 18, 22, 27 • August 1, 5, 9, 10

1:30 p.m. shows: July 15, 25, 29 • August 2, 8, 12

All performances take place at The DeWitt Studio Theatre located on Hope College’s Campus at 141 E. 12th St. Holland, MI. Season ticket packages are now on sale from 9:00-5:00 at the college’s downtown ticket office, located at 100 E. 8th Street or from 9:00-5:00 in the DeWitt Lobby ticket office. 

More information available online at www.hope.edu/hsrt, or by calling 616-395-7890.