Watch the little ones close in Cashmere School District’s next show, “Seussical” — the jungle creatures and circus animals, The Whos in Whoville and the fish in McElligot’s pool. Those aren’t high school students.

Cashmere School District expanded its winter drama production to an all-district musical this year — a first in recent memory. About 100 cast, crew and orchestra members, grades 2 through 12, signed up.

“I always ask my juniors to give suggestions on what they want to do (for their senior year), and they wanted to do a kid-friendly show,” said director and drama teacher Susan Gubsch. “They really love working with little kids.”

As sophomores, this year’s senior class volunteered to work with elementary-age students for outreach projects related to their 2010 production, “Beauty and the Beast.”

A few other factors played into the decision as well, Gubsch said. The school district had to cancel its Missoula Children’s Theater show last fall because of the heavy smoke. Also, due to budget constraints, the seventh- and eighth-grade drama program was cut.

“We wanted everyone to still have a drama experience this year,” Gubsch said. “It was a good adventure for us to try some new things.”

A director since 2005, Gubsch called Paul Atwood, director of Wenatchee’s all-district musicals, for advice on after-school rehearsals, choreography and parent involvement.

The students have been rehearsing every weekday, Gubsch said. The play follows some of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters from books like “Horton Hears a Who!” “The Cat in the Hat” and “If I Ran the Circus.” A multi-plot story, some of those characters will fall in love, travel to far-off places, and save a world. State award-winner Cody Lippert stars as Horton the elephant.

Other cast: Alexander Robertson, Hannah Capelo, McKenzie Hemstrom, Blain Peck, Shelby Simonson, Giorgio Jimenez, Vanessa Keran, Jessie Nixon, Abbey Mott, Adria Torrence, Alayna Groce, Anna Strutzel, Ashlyn Lewis, Bryson Pratt, Cameron Phillips, Camille Collins, Carley Kruiswyk, Catie Colvin, Caulin Carlson, Chris Clarke, Dani Monroe, Dennis Olguin, Edwin Enciso, Ellen Perleberg, Elyssa Corbaley, Emily Trew, Emma Nixon, Eve Newell, Faith Acton, Faith Larson, Fara Newell, Grace Croci, Grace Erdmann, Grayson Luckensmeyer, Hailey Trew, Hope Erdmann, Isabel Smith, Jasmine Gonzalez, Johanna Christensen, Josh Lippert, Josh Wise, Kaden Potter, Kailena McElroy, Kaitlyn Bjorklund, Katie Cooper, Kendra Salgado, Krystal Sousley, Laila Town, Maggie Finch, Mariah Rankin, Mercedes Cava, Miranda Sites, Molly Robertson, Mya Pratt, Nikki Wisemore, Reilly Schoening, Samantha Lippert, Taicha Christensen, Talen Schoening, Tim Clarke.

Rachel Hansen: 664-7139

hansen@wenatcheeworld.com