More than 90 children and a host of volunteers are putting the finishing touches on this year's Butler Summer Dramatics musical program, "Seussical."

The show opens Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 6 at the Succop Theater at the Butler County Community College.

"Seussical" is based on the works of the beloved children's author Theodore Geisel, known to the world as Dr. Seuss.

Incorporated into the tale are bits and pieces of at least 14 Seuss classics, including "Horton Hears a Who," "Horton Hatches the Egg," "Gertrude McFuzz," "The Butter Battle Book," "If I Ran the Circus," "McElligott's Pool," "I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew" and of course "The Cat in the Hat."

The story is a version of the book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who are responsible for the lyrics and music, respectively.

The main story involves Horton the Elephant's efforts to save his friend Jojo and the other inhabitants of Who, despite the fact his jungle neighbors feel he is a fool.

Eric Double is tackling the role of Horton. He has been involved with the Summer Dramatics program for a number of years.

"I tried out for this show just like I do all the others. This year I landed a much larger role than ever before," said Double.

"I grew up reading Dr. Seuss, but I honestly had not heard of Horton the Elephant," he said. "He is kind of like me, so I enjoy playing him."

Double said he keeps coming back to Butler Summer Dramatics for the friends and the experience.

"I really enjoy being around all the people —- young and older," said Double. "In school you pretty much only get to hang around kids your own age. Here, you can make a difference and help the younger kids out."

Playing the role of the infamous Cat in the Hat is Brian Mueller, a relative newcomer to the Summer Dramatics program.

"I first became aware of this program last year when I helped the lead in 'Oliver' do some voice work," said Mueller, who is home from college this summer and decided to audition for the musical.

"I had seen the musical when my old high school did it, and I loved it. I went out and got the CD and it is worn out," said Mueller.

"I didn't really care what role I got, but I am delighted with this one," he said.

For Mueller, one of the best parts about the role is the freedom he has in it.

"Gordon (Cavalero) is a pretty laid-back director, and he gives me much room to improvise — which has been a lot of fun," he added.

Mueller teaches voice and guitar and will be a junior at Malone College in the fall.

A longtime member of just about all the Summer Dramatics casts the past seven years is Danielle Sickle, who will be a bird girl in this production. She played Nana the dog in "Peter Pan" and is moving from canine to avian.

"This role has more lines than most of my other performances," said Sickle. "I along with my other birds facilitate the story. We are kind of like The Supremes and at the same time narrators of the show.

"I would have auditioned for whatever show was planned but I had seen 'Seussical' when it came to Pittsburgh and I knew it would be fun to be a part of the cast," added the Butler High School junior, whose mother is involved with costuming the show.

"It is really special that my mom and I can be involved in the same thing like a production. We get to see each other and have this in common to talk about," said Sickle.

"Seussical" is really about believing in yourself, keeping promises and the rewards of being an independent thinker.

The score features traditional ballads like "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Sollew" to the funkier "Monkey Around" and the Sousa-inspired sound of "The Military."

This production marks the ninth one that Kenny Schreffler Jr. and Gordon Cavalero have collaborated on.

"I just love this kind of thing and working with the kids is really a lot of fun," said Schreffler.

"I think Gordon and I want to do this as long as we can so that we can train these groups of young people who will hopefully carry on this tradition after we are too old to do it," he added.

"It really is all about the kids," added Cavalero.

Tickets are $8 and are on sale now at May's Music Shoppe for the four performances.

<b>WHAT:</b> Butler Summer Dramatics presents "Seussical"<b>WHEN:</b> 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 and 5; 2 p.m. Aug. 6<b>WHERE:</b> The Succop Theater at Butler County Community College<b>TICKETS:</b> $8, available at May's Music Shoppe, 724-283-5811