Bob Herzog and Cast Photo by Mikki Schaffner

TCTC's current production, Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, is a perfect example. Using a script originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain, TCTC is presenting a version of the well-known 1957 book and character by the beloved children's author. While some of the familiar sing-song text is used, this production's appeal is as much vibrant visuals and physical comedy. In particular, a partnership with the Cincinnati Circus Company provides an amusing array of entertaining acts, from juggling and ball-balancing to silk aerialists and tumblers.

Two bored kids, Conrad (Kavan Vadivelu)) and Sally (Brinley Culver, wearing a pert yellow wig that makes her instantly identifiable as a Seuss character), bemoan being housebound by rotten weather. But that doesn't last for long when the Cat in the Hat (Bob Herzog) barrels to create all sorts of mischievous distractions. A nervous, killjoy Fish (Bobby Montaniz) does his best to maintain order, but it's a lost cause.

Herzog, best known locally as the anchor of a morning news show for Cincinnati's WKRC-TV, is an uninhibited physical comedian. As the Cat with the red-and-white striped hat, he recreates many of the reckless feats described in the book, especially the wobbly balancing act of a goldfish bowl, books, toys, an umbrella and a rake, and a multilayered cake. Herzog's zany character also orchestrates acts by others, including Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Elli Maddock, Ella Cooper) who fly kites in the house and add to the chaos. Aerialists twist and turn on silk ropes (Stella Dionysiou, Gina Mauro, Lauren Ashley Whitfield). Christopher Baker and Jack Gallagher provide some fancy juggling, Olaf H. Rask rides a unicycle, and Oriana Noelle performs on a rolling globe.

Aaron Marshall is the ringmaster of the "Circus McGurkus," outfitted in shades of vibrant green He's onstage before the story begins to warm up the audience. With wordless whistles and funny sound effects and gestures, he coaxes lots of little ones, some wearing iconic red-and-white-striped hats. Once the action begins, he's in the orchestra pit to ensure plenty of jaunty sound punctuation for the action onstage.

As in the storybook, when the tale winds down, the stage is a riotous mess. That's when Herzog rolls in on a tricked-up golf cart to clean up the carnage the Cat has caused. He's a master of quips, and as he leaves the stage with a load of junk, he shouts about "coming in hot." Kids in the vast Taft Theatre space were entertained and completely engaged by the show's non-stop action.

TCTC has given generations of children their first taste of live, in-person performance. Artistic Director Roderick Justice, himself an animated performer, makes an onstage appearance from a rolled-up curtain to give a quick preshow rundown of theatre etiquette: talking is a no-no, laughter and applause are encouraged.

As the story wraps up, Sally and Conrad's returning mother asks them what's been going on. That leads to a question to the audience: "What would YOU do if your mother asked YOU?" I suspect many of them might say, "The Cat in the Hat, I'll remember that!"

In October 2025, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati will move to a new home at the 1912 Emery Theatre in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. It was, in fact, their venue from 1949 to 1969, and thanks to many generous donors, it's being renovated into a state-of-the-art complex for young audiences.

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, produced by the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, runs through February 23, 2025, at the Taft Theatre, 317 E. 5th Street, Cincinnati OH. For tickets and information, please visit thechildrenstheatre.com or call 513-569-6060, x10.