The South Arkansas Arts Center announced the box office is open for tickets to the Penguin Project’s production of “Seussical, KIDS,” scheduled to run 7 p.m. Oct. 4 and 2 p.m. Oct. 5.  Tickets are $5 for all with open seating.

The Penguin Project is a unique opportunity for children with special needs to perform in a live stage production in front of an audience, according to a press release. Through targeted outreach, special needs children are recruited as “artists” and then are cast in the production, from starring roles to ensemble. Each special-needs artist is paired with a mentor of similar age, who guides them through the production from start to finish, helping them learn lines, dances, songs, and blocking. The children operate as a pair throughout the entire process and appear on stage together, resulting in a full theatrical performance, with costumes, sets, and music.

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and the favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in “Seussical KIDS,” a fantastical musical extravaganza, according to a press release. Transported into the Jungle of Nool, the Cat in the Hat, who is the story’s narrator, tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant by Jojo’s “YOPP!”

“The Penguin artists and mentors are working hard for their ‘Seussical KIDS’ performances on Oct. 4 and 5 at the South Arkansas Arts Center,” said Cassie Hickman, musical director for the production.   “In ‘Seussical KIDS’, the songs are exactly what you would think Seuss should be… fun and full of life. It’s hard to pin down the group’s favorite song because, just like every unique personality, each child has their own favorite. When asked, ‘What’s your favorite?’ Shouts rise up for ‘Oh, The Thinks You Can Think,’ and ‘Monkey Around,’ but the loudest cheer is always for ‘Here On Who’! This song is full of fun lyrics, and when combined with the choreography that Bekah Gunter has created, the kids just go wild for it.”