All About Seussical!

If you are thinking about auditioning for Seussical, you may want to do a little research about the show.

Book by: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by: Eric Idle
Lyrics by: Lynn Ahrens
Music by: Stephen Flaherty

Tip # 1 - Read the synopsis

Based on the beloved characters and stories of Dr.Seuss, this musical incorporates elements from at least 15 Dr. Seuss books and includes appearances by many of his most famous characters.

Seussical the Musical follows the adventures of Horton, an elephant who one day hears voices coming from a speck of dust. He soon discovers that within this tiny speck exists the smallest planet in the universe!

And upon this tiny planet live a tiny race of creatures known as Whos! Although ridiculed by the other animals in the Jungle of Nool for believing in something he cannot see, Horton stubbornly persists in his belief that the Whos exist.

Meanwhile, the citizens of Who are having some adventures of their own, including a war over which side of the bread gets buttered. Jojo, the smallest child in the city of Who, parallels Horton's journey as he is ostracized for the unpopular act of thinking -- an activity not encouraged by the parents and teachers of Whosville.

But in spite of these obstacles, Jojo and Horton attempt to do what they think is right, and together they sing the duet "Alone in the Universe."

However, their path will not be easy. Horton is sold to the Circus McGurkus and eventually goes on trial before Judge Yertle the Turtle before the other animals of the jungle come to understand, as Horton has always known, that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

Tip #2 - Check out the Character Descriptions

Main Characters

Cat in the Hat - Out of this world, incredible at improv throughout the show

Horton Hears a Who - Passive, kind natured, compassionate, gentle, a thinker and a loner of sorts

JoJo - Daydreamer, always in trouble for thinking far too often, child of The Mayor and Mrs. Mayor

Gertrude McFuzz - Madly in love with Horton. Shy, reserved, self-conscious of her looks because she only has one feather.

Mayzie Labird - Arrogant, selfish, flirtatious and flashy in nature.

Sour Kangaroo - Strong willed, listens to no one, an over protective momma kangaroo.

Young Kangaroo - This is a side kick role and can be played by either a kangaroo puppet or as a small child.

Mrs. Mayor - He loves his town and all of his Whos but wishes his son would be more focused.

General Genghis Khan Schmitz - Strong, assertive, arrogant. GGKS has a very strong military presence - yet beneath it all he cares about is his soldiers deeply.

Supporting Characters

Grinch

Bird Girls - Mayzie is the leader and they are ditsy bird girls.

Wickersham Brothers - The trio is always up to no good, causing mischief and havoc especially with Horton.

Yertle the Turtle - An entertaining Judge. Brash loud and very full of himself.

Marshal of the Court- Played by the Cat in the Hat disguised.

Vlad Vladikoff - Played by the evil eagle who takes the clover from the Wickersham trio.

Cindy Lou Who

Max the Dog

The Hunches

The Fishes

The Whos

Jungle of the Nool Citizens

The Hunters

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Circus performers

Sam-I-Am

Tip #3 - Look at some Video Clips

If you would like to see some video clips of other groups who have done Seussical (some good and some not so good), you can do a Seussical search on YouTube and see what you come up with. 

Tip #4 - Brush up on your Green Eggs and Ham

You can brush up on your Dr. Seuss books.  Seussical draws on the following Dr. Seuss books, most of which are available at the Halton Hills Public Library. http://hhpl.bibliocommons.com/dashboard

Horton Hears a Who!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Lorax
Green Eggs and Ham
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories
Horton Hatches the Egg
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
McElligot's Pool
The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz
Hunches in Bunches
If I Ran the Circus
The Butter Battle Book
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!
The Cat in the Hat
The Sneetches and Other Stories
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Tip #5 - Check out the sound track on itunes

There are a couple of different versions - try these...

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/seussical-original-off-broadway/id383016110

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/songs-from-seussical-karaoke/id365793352

Tip #6 - Play a Little "Cat in the Hat"

If you find yourself with a little time on your hands, check out the games on PBS kids for their new show "The Cat in the Hat".
http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/


Break a leg!!