Although he did not mention it, Brant Watson secured the main role of the Cat in the Hat over several others for the upcoming musical “Seussical.”

Community Children’s Theatre director Mary Ellen Ulrich said 160 children auditioned for the production, and many of them wanted the title role.

“He came out on top of the heap,” Ulrich said about Watson.

Watson, 18, will be a senior at East Peoria Community High School this fall. “Seussical” is his eighth theater performance. When he is not on the stage, he is running track and cross country, involved on the speech and debate teams and with student council at EPCHS.
Watson said he began acting in junior high school when he was in the school play “Hillbilly Wedding.”

In 2007, he was in “Footloose” at Eastlight Theatre.

“It was a lot of fun. I met a lot of new friends,” Watson said of his first Eastlight performance, adding he was a little nervous.

“I never did a musical before, but I went ahead and I am happy I got involved.”

Watson learned about “Seussical” from friends who are involved with the Community Children’s Theatre through the Peoria Park District.

When he auditioned, Watson had the goal in mind of the lead role of the Cat in the Hat.
Upon learning he got the part, he said, “I was very excited. That was my goal. That’s what I wanted to be when I tried out,” he said.

To prepare for the upcoming performance, which runs July 9 through 12, Watson said he has been reading the script, trying new things, and listening to the director and choreographer.

“I had seen the show once before when Dunlap High School did it,” he said.

He also recalls reading the book in his youth, more so than watching the cartoon.

To get in character, Watson dons a suit, nose, a few whisker and, of course, a tall hat. Then, he said he acts over the top and crazy.

The youth in the production range in age from 8 to 18 and come from 13 surrounding communities. Being one of the three oldest in the production, Watson said he would like to think that the younger children look up to him.

However, the biggest challenge for Watson is not the unfamiliarity of being around a lot of youngsters. Rather, it is getting up in the morning to come to 9 a.m. rehearsal.

“It is kind of nice being the oldest one for a change,” Watson said.

Ulrich, who is directing her third show for the Community Children’s Theatre, said the show is full of talent.

“The amount of talent with kids this age is unbelievable. This community is really rich with talent,” she said.

The production includes 36 students from public schools, 27 from private schools and three who are home schooled.

“We are so fortunate to have (Brant) because he’s very good,” Ulrich said.

“Seussical” will be performed at 7 p.m. July 9, 10 and 11 and at 1:30 p.m. July 10, 11 and 12. The Sunday matinee provides an interpreter. 

Watson said he is excited and nervous about opening night.

“It’s my first lead role in a musical,” he said.

Although it is evident Watson is moving up in the theater world, he does not have serious plans to act, but, rather, just to have fun.

“I’m not going to make a career out of it or anything. It’s a fun hobby to have,” he said.