Seussical

Seussical is a sung-through musical comedy by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, based on the many children's stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who! while incorporating many other stories. The musical's name is a portmanteau of "Seuss" and "musical". Following its Broadway debut in 2000, the show was widely panned by critics, and closed in 2001 with heavy financial losses. It has spawned two US national tours and a West End production, and has become a frequent production for schools and regional theatres.

Seussical
MusicStephen Flaherty
LyricsLynn Ahrens
BookLynn Ahrens
Stephen Flaherty
BasisThe works of Dr. Seuss
Productions2000 Boston tryout
2000 Broadway
2002 1st US Tour
2003 2nd US Tour
2007 Off-Broadway
2012 West End
2018 Off West End

Plot

This synopsis describes the tour version of the show, currently being licensed as "Seussical the Musical" by Music Theatre International (MTI).[1]

Act I

The show opens on a bare stage, save for an odd red-and-white-striped hat in the center. A small boy wanders into view and notices the hat, wondering to whom it might belong. He finally mentions the Cat in the Hat, who appears before the Boy and tells him he has been brought to life by the Boy's "Thinks". The Cat creates the "Seussian" world and characters around the boy and himself ("Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!"), then reveals he is about to tell a story about someone as imaginative as the Boy is.

To begin the story, the Cat encourages the Boy to think up the Jungle of Nool, where Horton the Elephant is bathing. Horton hears a strange noise coming from a nearby speck of dust, and reasons that someone must be on it, calling out for help. He carefully places the speck on a soft clover and decides to guard it ("Horton Hears a Who"), but is mocked mercilessly by the Sour Kangaroo and the other animals of the jungle, who do not believe him ("Biggest Blame Fool"). The only exceptions are Horton's bird neighbors, Gertrude McFuzz, who admires his compassion, and Mayzie LaBird, who is more concerned about herself.

Horton soon discovers that the speck is actually a microscopic planet populated by creatures called Whos. The citizens of Who-ville introduce themselves and their yearly Christmas pageant directed by their friend the Grinch, but also reveal that in addition to being unable to control where the speck flies, they are on the brink of war and their entire population of Truffula Trees has been cut down ("Here on Who"). The Whos thank Horton and ask for his protection, and he agrees to guard their planet.

At this point, the Cat pushes the Boy into the story; he becomes Jojo, the son of the Mayor of Who-ville and his wife. Jojo has been getting into trouble at school for having Thinks, so his parents order him to "take a bath and go to bed, and think some normal Thinks, instead."[1] Jojo blames the Cat for getting him into trouble and tries to send him away. The Cat refuses and persuades Jojo to imagine the tub is McElligot's Pool ("It's Possible"). Jojo inadvertently floods the house, leading the Mayor and his wife to contemplate what to do with their son ("How to Raise a Child"). When the Cat hands them a brochure, they decide to send Jojo to a military school run by General Genghis Khan Schmitz, who is preparing to go to war with those who eat their bread with the butter side down ("The Military"). While there, Jojo meets Horton, and finds a mutual friend in him ("Alone in the Universe").

Gertrude, meanwhile, has fallen in love with Horton, but is afraid he does not notice her because of her own tail, which consists of only "one droopy-droop feather" ("The One Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz"). At the advice of Mayzie, whose tail is enormous and dazzling, she consumes pills which make her tail grow new feathers. Gertrude is so excited that she overdoses, causing her tail to grow long and unwieldy ("Amayzing Mayzie"/"Amazing Gertrude").

Horton is ambushed by the Wickersham brothers, a gang of delinquent monkeys, who steal the clover and make off with it ("Monkey Around"). Horton gives chase until the Wickershams hand the clover to an eagle named Vlad Vladikoff, who drops it into a large patch of identical clovers ("Chasing the Whos"). Here, the Cat cuts briefly into the action to remind the audience how lucky they are to not be Horton ("How Lucky You Are"). Undeterred, Horton begins to look for the clover, hoping the Whos are still alive, when Gertrude catches up with him and tries to get him to notice her new tail. Horton is too busy, so she leaves to take more pills ("Notice Me, Horton").

Horton is about to search his three millionth clover when he loses hope. Mayzie, sitting in a nearby tree, offers to help him forget about the Whos by hatching an egg that she is too lazy to care for ("How Lucky You Are (Reprise)"). Horton reluctantly agrees, and Mayzie leaves for a vacation. Horton sits through months of harsh weather as he tries to decide between the egg and the Whos ("Horton Sits on the Egg") before he is captured by hunters, who take him away along with the entire tree. Gertrude tries to stop the hunters, but cannot fly due to her heavy tail.

The Cat closes the act with a reprise of "How Lucky You Are", and conducts the band during the intermission.

Act II

Horton, still hatching the egg, is auctioned off to the traveling Circus McGurkus ("Egg, Nest, and Tree"/"Circus McGurkus"/"How Lucky You Are (Reprise)"). At one show in Palm Beach, he meets up with Mayzie, who insists that he keep the egg for himself before leaving ("Amayzing Horton"). Horton mourns the loss of the Whos and Jojo, but vows just as surely to protect the egg, as it, too, is alone without its mother ("Alone in the Universe (Reprise)"), and sings it a lullaby with Jojo about a magical place called Solla Sollew. At the same time, the Mayor and his wife begin to miss Horton and Jojo, and wish for Solla Sollew, as well ("Solla Sollew").

Jojo is with General Schmitz and his platoon as the Butter Battle commences. Jojo deserts Schmitz, but sprints into a minefield and vanishes in an explosion. Schmitz assumes the worst and heads to Who-ville to tell Jojo's parents that their son has died. The Cat returns to perform a re-enactment of the dramatic scene. But in reality, Jojo has survived, but is lost with no idea of where to turn. The Cat appears to him with a band of Hunches, encouraging him to use his Thinks to find his way home ("Havin' a Hunch"). Jojo does so and happily reunites with his parents, who forgive him for his Thinks.

Gertrude sneaks into the circus to free Horton, explaining she plucked out all but one of her tail feathers to fly there, and confesses her love for him. She also reveals she has found his clover, delighting and relieving Horton to find the Whos alive and well ("All For You"). However, the Sour Kangaroo and the Wickersham brothers arrive to take Horton back to the jungle.

In the jungle, Horton is put on trial for the crimes of "talking to a speck, disturbing the peace, and loitering... on an egg" [1] ("The People Versus Horton the Elephant"). Aided by Gertrude, Horton makes his best case, but Judge Yertle the Turtle finds him guilty. He orders Horton remanded to the "Nool Asylum for the Criminally Insane" and the clover destroyed in a kettle of hot "Beezle-Nut" oil.[1] Desperate, Horton encourages the Whos to make as much noise as possible to prove their existence, but the animals do not hear them. Jojo finally uses his Thinks to conjure a new word, "Yopp", which he shouts loudly enough to reach the animals' ears. Convinced at last, the animals repent and promise to help protect the Whos, and Horton is acquitted. Jojo is accepted by his parents and the rest of Who-ville as "Thinker Non-Stop" for saving their planet. Horton's egg hatches into a tiny flying "Elephant-Bird", amazing everyone, but dismaying Horton, who panics at the thought of flying progeny. Gertrude reassures him that they can raise the child together, and they agree to do so.

With the story finished, the Cat returns to close the show ("Finale"/"Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!"), then vanishes along with the scenery, leaving his hat and Jojo, who is now the Boy again. The Boy picks the hat up, dons it, and says, "Seuss!"

During a curtain call, the company performs a number based on Green Eggs and Ham ("Green Eggs and Ham").

Cast
Character 2000 Boston Tryout 2000 Original Broadway Cast 2002 1st US National Tour Cast 2003 2nd US National Tour Cast 2007 Original Off Broadway Cast 2012 Original West End Cast 2018 Original Off West End Cast
Cat in the Hat David Shiner Cathy Rigby Peter Roman Shorey Walker Joe Morrow Marc Pickering
Jojo Andrew Keenan-Bolger Anthony Blair Hall
Andrew Keenan-Bolger †		 Drake English
Richard Miron †		 Gene Biscontini Micheal Wartella Clark Deviln Anna Barnes
Horton The Elephant Kevin Chamberlin Eric Leviton Randall Frizado Stephen Fenning David Hunter Scott Paige
Gertrude McFuzz Janine LaManna Garret Long Heather Barr Karen Weinburg Kirsty Marie Ayers Amy Perry
General Schmitz Erik Devine Stuart Marland N/A
Mayzie La Bird Michele Pawk Gaelen Gilliand Dawn Lebrecht Kelly Felthous Jessica Parker Katie Paine
Sour Kangaroo Sharon Wilkins Chris Fenwick LaDonna Burns Ebony Marshall-Oliver Natalie Green Ngozi Ugoh

† In the Broadway and The 1st Us National Tour. The role of Jojo was alternated by two actors

Notable Broadway Replacements

Characters

Major Characters
  • The Cat in the Hat – the narrator of the story and Jojo's guide, the Cat also appears as the following minor characters:
    • Doctor Dake - during "Amazing Gertrude" and "All For You"
    • Louie Armstrong / Piano Player
    • The Bailiff - during "The People Versus Horton the Elephant"
    • Mr. McGurkus - owner of the Circus McGurkus during "Egg, Nest, and Tree"
    • The Grinch and Vlad Vladikoff in some productions
    • Jose the Pool Boy - during "How Lucky You Are (Reprise)"
  • Jojo – an imaginative and misunderstood young boy
  • Horton the Elephant – a compassionate and determined elephant
  • Gertrude McFuzz – a shy bird who falls in love with Horton and endeavors to help him
  • General Genghis Khan Schmitz – a warmonger during the Butter Battle
  • Mayzie La Bird – Horton's vivacious yet lazy and self-centered bird neighbor
  • Sour Kangaroo – the ill-mannered governor of the Jungle of Nool

Minor Characters
  • Bird Girls - Mayzie's friends, who act as a Greek chorus
  • Mr. Mayor - the newly elected mayor of Who-ville and Jojo's father
  • Mrs. Mayor - the Mayor's wife and Jojo's mother
  • Thing 1 & Thing 2 - the Cat's sidekicks and an extension of his personality
  • The Grinch - a notable resident of Who-ville who is responsible for organizing the Christmas pageant
  • Young Kangaroo - the child of Sour Kangaroo, she is often represented by a puppet
  • Vlad Vladikoff - a sinister "black-bottomed" eagle
  • The Elephant-Bird - Horton and Gertrude's adoptive child, who hatches from the egg
  • Yertle the Turtle - the judge who presides over the Jungle of Nool's court
  • The Hunters - Horton's captors who sell him to the circus
  • Wickersham brothers (1,2,3)

Ensemble
  • Whos - citizens of Who-ville
  • Cadets - members of Schmitz's platoon
  • Jungle Creatures - chorus and dancers in jungle scenes
  • Hunches - dancers in "Havin' a Hunch"
  • Circus Animals - the animals of the Circus McGurkus
  • Fish - residents of McElligot's Pool during "It's Possible"

Musical numbers
  1. Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Dr. Seuss
  2. Not present in current full version
  3. Not present in original Broadway version
  4. Not present on cast recording

Contributing Dr. Seuss books

Seussical incorporates these Dr. Seuss stories:

Productions

Pre-Broadway

In a reading in New York City, Eric Idle played the Cat in the Hat, and was credited at the time for contributions to the story line. In the Toronto workshop in 1999, coordinated by Livent Inc., Andrea Martin played the Cat in the Hat.[2] Positive early buzz set off a bidding war among New York theatre producers, with Barry and Fran Weissler acquiring the rights.[3] The musical had its out-of-town tryout in Boston, Massachusetts at the Colonial Theatre in September 2000.[4]

An extensive sequence adapting The Lorax was seen in the original script, which involved Jojo meeting the Once-ler after deserting the army, and receiving the last Truffula Tree seed from him, giving him the courage to save Who-ville. Relevant characters included the Lorax himself as well as Bar-ba-loots, Swomee-Swans, and Humming-Fish, who would all appear and disappear as the Once-ler told his story. The sequence faced numerous difficulties due to the show's already lengthy running time, and was ultimately cut entirely after its Boston tryout. As of 2013, MTI has begun offering the sequence as an independent "mini-musical", advertising it on the back of Seussical librettos and scripts.

Broadway

Seussical opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 30, 2000.[5] It was directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Marshall's brother Rob Marshall was hired to direct the show when it returned to Broadway from Boston, though was uncredited. David Shiner played the Cat in the Hat, while Kevin Chamberlin played Horton, Michele Pawk played Mayzie LaBird, Stuart Zagnit and Alice Playten played Mr. and Mrs. Mayor, and Sharon Wilkins played the Sour Kangaroo.

The show received almost universally negative reviews.[3] In January 2001,[5] in response to falling ticket sales, producers brought in Rosie O'Donnell to replace Shiner as the Cat in the Hat for a month-long engagement. The move was criticized as stunt casting, but was successful at temporarily boosting ticket sales.[3] In March, young pop star Aaron Carter and former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby were cast for short engagements. Due to poor box office, the show closed on May 20, 2001 after 198 performances.[5] Its ultimate financial losses were estimated at $11 million, making it one of the worst financial flops in Broadway history.[3]

US tours

Following the Broadway production, there were two US national tours. Rigby reprised her role as the Cat for the first tour which ran from September 2002 to June 2003.[6][7] A second non-Equity production toured from 2003 to 2004.[8]

The script for the first tour was reworked extensively after the show's poor showing on Broadway, resulting in the removal or reworking of several songs. The biggest change involved Jojo, who was now initially an anonymous boy before the Cat pushed him into the story. Additional dialogue was included, and some songs and their reprises were cut. This version of the show is the one currently licensed by MTI as Seussical the Musical.

Off-Broadway

A 90-minute Off-Broadway production was staged at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in 2007 by Theatreworks USA. It was directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.[9][10] This production was downscaled for the National Tour, which had its last show in spring 2014.

West End (London)

Seussical opened on the West End at the Arts Theatre on December 4, 2012, presented by Selladoor Worldwide.[11] It returned in 2013.[12]

Off West End (London)

Seussical opened at the Southwark Playhouse on 22 November 2018. And ran for 7 performances.

South Africa

Seussical opened at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on December 20, 2019 for the festive season, presented by &CO.

One-act versions

A one-act version of the Broadway show titled Seussical Jr. has been created as part of MTI's Jr. series. It is intended to be shorter and more accessible for junior high or middle school students, and has an average run time of 60 minutes.[13] For Jr., various songs are cut and shortened; the subplots based on The Butter Battle Book and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and their relevant songs and characters, are removed to make the story more understandable for younger audiences, though the Grinch retains one line during the song "Here on Who". General Schmitz is replaced in "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!" by the Wickersham Brothers.

In 2004, Seussical was reworked into a "Theatre for Young Audiences" version. The cast was reduced to 12 actors, with the plot changed to focus more on Horton.[14]

Awards and honors

Original Broadway production
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2001 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Kevin Chamberlin Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Janine LaManna Nominated
Outstanding Music Stephen Flaherty Nominated

Original Off-Broadway production
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2008 Lucille Lortel Award[15] Outstanding Revival Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Marcia Milgrom Dodge Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design Tracy Christensen Nominated
Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated
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References
  1. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flagherty (Nov 2017). "Seussical the Musical!" (PDF). iptheater.com. Immeasurable Productions. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  2. Jones, Kenneth and Lefkowitz, David. "Livent Hears a Who: Seussical Has Aug. 20–21 Workshops in Toronto" playbill.com, August 20, 1999, accessed December 2, 2016
  3. McKinley, Jesse (May 17, 2001). "They Said What They Meant: 'Seussical' Closing, 100 Percent" – via NYTimes.com.
  4. Dezell, Maureen (September 22, 2000). "Bad Reviews May Have Helped 'Seussical'". Boston Globe. Boston, MA. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2017-12-05 – via HighBeam.
  5. "Production Credits". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  6. "Seussical (Tour)". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  7. "Rewritten and Ready, a New Touring Seussical Flies – Literally – Sept. 17 in Indy". Playbill. September 17, 2002. Archived from the original on December 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  8. "New Seussical Tour Launches Oct. 10 in a Town With a Name Worthy of Dr. Seuss: Yakima". Playbill. October 10, 2003. Archived from the original on December 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  9. Gans, Andrew (July 16, 2007). "Free 90-Minute Seussical Begins Run at the Lucille Lortel July 16". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  10. Greg Kalafatas (19 July 2007). "PHOTO CALL: Seussical Off-Broadway". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  11. "The Stage". Newspaper. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  12. "Seussical returns to Arts Theatre this Christmas". 4 Jun 2013. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  13. "Seussical JR". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  14. Ahrens, Lynn (October 1, 2005). "There's Another Think There! the Rise and Fall ... and Rise of Seussical". American Theatre – via Questia Online Library.
  15. Listing Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine lortel.org, accessed July 25, 2010
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