ASHLAND, Ky. - No summer reading is required to visit the magical world of Dr. Seuss this weekend.

Seuss' "Horton the Elephant," "Gertrude McFuzz," "Lazy Mayzie" and all of the "Whos" of Whoville will be joining other Seuss characters in the Ashland Summer Musical Theatre's "Seussical, the Musical" Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC).

Edward Figgins, director of theater and associate professor at ACTC, is directing the show and explained the musical's premise.

"It's loosely based on the stories of Dr. Seuss. … It kind of takes all of these (Seuss) stories and combines them into a musical for all ages," he said. Figgins said that he chose this show because it was something that was refreshing and new for audiences and actors alike.

The cast, crew and orchestra for the musical are all local, including 18 people from Lawrence County. Two of the cast members are a mother-daughter team, Rhonda and Mycah Pemberton, from Rock Hill.

Rhonda Pemberton initially became involved with the show just because her daughter wanted to try out but has since discovered a love for the stage.

"I wish I wasn't 43 years old. I'd go back and do this for a living," she said. The elder Pemberton is playing the role of the Sour Kangaroo and said that crowds have received the show well so far.

"They seem to have really enjoyed the show. It's a nice, clean storyline, so it's family friendly, but it's cerebral too," she said.

Daughter Mycah, 11, plays the Young Sour Kangaroo and has her own favorite part of the show, the court scene.

"You have to have a lot of attitude because you have to act like you really want him (Horton the Elephant) to go to the insane asylum," she said.

Figgins said "Seussical" is a good match for both young and old.

"Children will like the colorful costumes and seeing the characters from Seuss books they've read," he said. Adults will enjoy the show too, Figgins said, because it's a chance for them to re-live their childhoods.

"Seussical" will have its final shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the J.B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus of ACTC. Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $6 for adults, $4 for children, seniors and groups of 10 or more and $2 for ACTC students.