DECATUR - Oh, the things you can think.

Think about 40 children dressed up as day-glowing birds, a yellow mayoral family small enough to hide in a clover sprig and a singing elephant who has been hoodwinked into sitting on an egg by a loafing mom who prefers cocktails at Palm Beach.

Think about kids singing clever songs inspired by Dr. Seuss, tap dancing like waiters at a green eggs and ham cafe and generally having the time of their lives.

Think about a lightning-paced, witty production directed by a musical theater pro who has been developing the talents of a legion of young actors, singers and dancers for years.

"It's always fun to be onstage with live theater because it's a journey, and you really have to listen," Marie Jagger-Taylor told an actor Wednesday after a dress rehearsal.

She was explaining that it is not enough to go through the motions, but he also must pay attention to his acting partner, to stay with her no matter what she might do or say.

Jagger-Taylor, who took over the reins of the Decatur Park District's drama program last year, is preparing to present her first children's musical in this city, "Seussical Jr.," in four performances at the Decatur Civic Center Theater this weekend.

The show has been double-cast to include everyone who auditioned and give more roles, and more leading roles, to more children. That means training 80 children in two separate companies. Each company will perform two of the shows.

"They're terrific," Jagger-Taylor said, adding that they have been challenged to learn many basics of acting, such as when to enter and leave the stage multiple times. "They love it. It's a very busy show. It's very fast. It doesn't stop."

While some of the performers have worked with Jagger-Taylor several times, mostly in her shows at Sullivan's Little Theatre-On The Square, many of the children are getting their first look at the bright lights.

"The biggest challenge is that so many of them are first-time performers," Jagger-Taylor said.

She signed on to teach acting tools and etiquette, while instilling confidence that will propel them to give their best performances.

In turn, the children are bringing along literary understanding of one of their favorite authors.

"They are reading the Dr. Seuss books and telling me where all the characters are coming from," Jagger-Taylor said.

Playing the part of Gertrude McFuzz, a bird who visits a doctor to obtain more tail feathers, Katie Ciambella, 14, sings beautifully and acts like an old pro. But Katie, the only high school student in the play, has never before had a large acting role or sung a solo onstage.

The greasepaint has definitely gotten under her skin.

" 'Seussical' has been the first time I've felt like I've done something that I can have fun with for the rest of my life," Katie said. "I'm glad to be a part of it."

The Cat in the Hat, 12-year-old Mikella Marley, also is playing the biggest role of her career, which began with Jagger-Taylor in Sullivan five years ago.

A talented actress "who loves to act more than anything," Mikella said she adores the show, especially because of all the colorful costumes.

"I love Dr. Seuss," Mikella said, adding that she is excited but nervous about the show's opening performance Friday.

Emily Bacino Althus, 8, said she is excited to play her first major role, JoJo, the Who boy who finds the Cat in the Hat to open the show and is front and center often until the final curtain.

In her fourth play, Emily believes she has found that the secret of happiness is in performing onstage.

"It's the best feeling ever," she said.

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.