Art Smart 2010-2011

Seussical ...the show of shows for kids of all ages

The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board in partnership with Theatre Ancaster is undertaking its second major musical theatre production from February to June 2010.  This project is part of the HWDSB's vision for a secondary school component of Art Smart - a focus on arts education in schools.

What is Seussical?

This is a musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss.  But it isn’t just a string of his stories set to music.  And it isn’t just one of his stories.  In fact, what we’ve done is to create a totally new, full-length book musical, with a story which weaves together his most famous tales and characters in unexpected ways.  The Seuss lexicon includes hundreds upon hundreds of wondrous characters, creatures, places and things. “Seussical” incorporates elements from at least 15 of his books, as well as many of his best-loved and most familiar characters.  Many of these characters never met on another before. But they meet in our musical.  And in the course of the evening, some will fall in love, some will have desperate adventures and some will save the world.  And they’ll all travel everywhere from the Jungle of Nool to McEligot’s Pool to Palm Beach.  Dr. Seuss believes in helping a friend, in not giving up, in keeping a promise.   He believes in the value and the dignity of others, in working to preserve the fragile sweetness of the natural world, and he believes that peace is the ultimate ideal, among nations and in every heart.  He also believes in the pure power of the imagination.  You will find all these serious concerns at the heart of “Seussical”.

Plot 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."

During the course of the play, the Cat in the Hat pops in and out of scenes, narrating, playing numerous characters, and helping the younger members of the audience keep track of what's going on.

Character Descriptions

• THE CAT IN THE HAT is the essence of mischief, fun and imagination.
• JOJO is a "thinker" a smart child with a wild imagination
• HORTON THE ELEPHANT is a gentle giant, rotund and appealing.
• GERTRUDE McFUZZ is very self conscious and aware that her one-feather tail isn't perfect.
• MAYZIE LA BIRD is self centered, selfish, and vain.
• SOUR KANGAROO is not really sour – she’s just got a lot of attitude
• YOUNG KANGAROO is a bit like Mom
• GENERAL GENGUS KHAN SCHMITZ is bursting with pride at the military academy he runs. He believes he is doing the right thing for his boys.
• THE WICKERSHAM BROTHERS are not bad guys- they tease and play pranks
• THE WHOS are a lot like you and me only so small as to be invisible
• MR AND MRS MAYOR OF WHOVILLE are parents trying to raise a difficult child in a difficult world (JOJO)
• JUNGLE CREATURES are “animal” characters who are real people at heart
• THE GRINCH - no explanation necessary
• Plus  BIRD GIRLS, FISH, CADETS, HUNCHES, YERTLE THE TURTLE, and CIRCUS MEMBERS