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18 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017 EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA local news local sports local happenings ARTS FOCUS WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Sta� The Cat in the Hat isn't the fi rst Dr. Seuss character that Rob Bridel has worn like a second skin. The character of the Grinch was already a party favourite, and he inhab- ited the green-skinned curmudgeon for Christmas parties and even holiday parades to give the kids a thrill. So it was only natural that he play the quizzical cat for KW Musical Pro- ductions Seussical the Musical Feb. 2 to Feb. 11 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. In fact, his love aff air for the works of Theodor Geisel went back to the time when he read those whimsical works to his two daughter Alyssa and A.J. "I used to read all of these stories to my daughters," said Bridel. "We read many of the same stories including Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish ... I'm trying to remember them all. "Th ere were certainly a big part of the fun I had with my kids, so it's a treat to revisit that." Th e Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, played by Max DeNardis, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing the Whos in the musical. Horton faces another challenge of an unfaithful friend, as he must also guard and abandoned egg left in is care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird, played by Sarah Willet. Seussical the Musical ultimately tells the story of friendship, loyalty, family and community in a witty, wild and whimsical world created by the imagination of Dr. Seuss. Th e love of Dr. Seuss stories isn't the only thing the family shares. There is also a love for musical theatre. His daughter A.J. has made quite a name for herself in musical theatre since graduating from Eastwood Col- legiate to the nationally televised CBC show Over the Rainbow in her quest to star in Andrew Lloyd Weber's version of Th e Wizard of Oz. While she was a finalist on that show, the former KWMP grad finally got her big break when she was cast in the Mirvish production of the Tony- award winning show Kinky Boots in 2013. Those successes continue for the musical prodigy, who won a Toronto Theatre Critics award for her role in Kinky Boots, as she recently starred as Sleeping Beauty in Ross Petty's annual Panto show in Toronto. Th at musical pedigree started with her grandmother, said her proud dad Rob. "She sang with a big band before she married and had a family of six kids," said Bridel of his own musical roots. "Th at took her off the market as far as singing goes." But it planted a seed. Bridel and his daughter both got into musical theatre at the same time. He did it as a way of encouraging her talent, and went along for the ride as they took part in a production of Fid- dler in the Roof. "We auditioned for KWMP for the first time together for Fiddler on the Roof back in 2007," said Bridel. "We did our fi rst show together and she did a show with her mother, in Annie, after that. While that set up A.J. on her current meteoric rise in musical theatre, the elder Bridel was also bitten by the per- formance bug along with his daughter. "Her interest in it encour- aged me to give it a shot later in life -- just for fun," said Bridel who has no aspirations to quit his day job. "I really enjoyed performing." He went on to play the demonic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors a few years ago before taking on one of the lead roles in Seussical the Musical. Bridel said he's having a lot of fun, and it comes naturally in a production that features so much of the colour and the humour of the world of Dr. Seuss. "This show is all about fun," said Bridel. "My character gets to be a real goof in more ways that one. "All the leads in this production are strong, this isn't a one person produc- tion and there is a real conglomeration of talents making up this cast." He thinks the musical and the story will connect with multiple generations. Grandparents grew up on these books and passed the love of these stories on to their children and grandchildren. Th ere's something for every genera- tion in a musical like this, said Bridel. "It's been a while since I've picked one of the books up, but I expect to do it again when my grandkids come along," said Bridel. "It's such an unique children's approach to the world. "Dr. Seuss creates an entirely diff er- ent world and it's a fun place to go and get lost in for a while." Coming full circle, his daughter A.J. is also involved in the production helping out director David Atkins in his direction. "It's kind of neat to be together on a production again," said Bridel. "It's just fun to be together and spend time together do this again. "She's had her fun this year with some children's stories as well, and brings some of her approach to the characters where she can." It's also come full circle for Bridel, who used to dress up as the Grinch as a bit of a lark that eventually lead to a big- ger Seussical the Musical role. "I used to do that for the Children's Safety Village as a fun thing on the side," said Bridel. "Now I'm up on the big stage." For tickets call 519-747-7788 or for more information, visit www.kwmp.ca. Getting loose with Dr. Seuss KW Musical Productions presents family favourite Seussical the Musical Feb. 2 to 11 Rob Bridel stars as the Cat in the Hat in KW Musical Productions' Seussical the Musical Feb. 2 to 11 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. HILARY GAULD-CAMILLERI PHOTO