Seussical KIDS
"Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
Show Essentials
25
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

As a child stumbles upon a lone red-and-white-striped hat, its curious owners, the Cats in the Hats (Cat 1, 2, and 3) appear and introduce the boy to the wondrous world of Seuss (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!”). The Cats begin their tales with the story of Horton the elephant who lives in the Jungle of Nool with Jungle Citizens (1, 2, 3 and 4) and several other unique creatures. One day, Horton is enjoying his bath, when he hears a voice on a speck of dust asking for help (“Horton Hears A Who”). Though puzzled, Horton delicately places the speck onto a clover just as Sour Kangaroo and Young Kangaroo bounce along to inform Horton that there couldn’t possibly be a person on that speck. The Wickersham Brothers (1, 2, and 3), a trio of monkeys, join in on teasing Horton for believing such nonsense. A Talk Show Host interviews two neighbor birds named Gertrude McFuzz and Mayzie LaBird about Horton hearing things that don’t exist. The cries of help return, and this time Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor reveal themselves to Horton as citizens of a tiny place called Whoville, along with the rest of the Whos (“Here On Who”). At this point, the boy from the beginning becomes JoJo, their son, and is blamed for what are actually the Cats’ mischievous ways. JoJo is left to take his bath, but the Cats aren’t done leading the boy into greater adventures (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! – Reprise”). The Cats and JoJo are swept underwater with Fish all around in McElligot’s Pool (“It’s Possible – Part 1 and Part 2”). Meanwhile, Horton still guards the clover and believes in the Whos, despite the other animals’ judgments (“Alone In The Universe”). Horton and JoJo bond in their imaginations, and just as JoJo begins to fall asleep, the Cats wake him to tell him the story of Gertrude McFuzz (“The One Feather Tail Of Miss Gertrude McFuzz”). Gertrude tries everything to impress Horton, self-conscious of her small, plain tail. He never notices, and as she concludes her sad tale, the Wickersham Brothers return to steal the clover away (“Monkey Around/Chasing The Whos”). Horton chases them through great stretches of jungles, beaches and sand, but the monkeys hand over the clover to Vlad Vladikoff, a black-bottomed eagle who drops the Whos into a field of clovers. Mayzie reappears and asks Horton if he would consider sitting on her egg. Horton agrees (“Horton Sits On The Egg/Dilemma”) and finally, after fifty-one weeks, Mayzie returns. Horton pleads with Mayzie to take her egg back, but Mayzie relinquishes her responsibility. Horton tells the egg that he’ll protect it and sings the egg a lullaby (“Solla Sollew”). Just as things seem hopeless, Gertrude McFuzz appears with the clover and the Whos intact (“The Whos Return”). As Horton is reunited with the Whos, everyone returns to take Horton to court for “talking with a speck, disturbing the peace, and loitering... on an egg.” Judge Yertle remands Horton to the Nool Asylum and decides that the dust speck be boiled in a kettle of beezlenut oil. JoJo saves the day (Yopp!), and the Whos are saved! JoJo is honored as “Thinker Nonstop,” and the egg hatches into an Elephant Bird. As the adventure comes to an end (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think – Finale”), JoJo reappears with the Cats’ hat and pulls it over his eyes, ending this story with one last reprise (“Green Eggs And Ham – Bows)”. 

Casting
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Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Jojo

JoJo is the audience’s link to the story. The audience follows the narrative through his eyes (he’s also referred to as Child), so it’s most important to cast a young man with an earnest and open disposition. He should be a great singer and actor.  

Gender: male
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: B3
The Cats

The Cats (Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3) are mischievous, spirited creatures who take JoJo and the audience on quite an adventure. Cast three actors, male or female, with great singing chops and who can move well. Since the Cats take on different roles throughout the play, these actors should be bold, versatile and able to switch roles at the drop of a dime. 

Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Horton

Horton is a loveable elephant with a heart of gold. Cast a young performer who can sing well and convey great loyalty and conviction to the Whos.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Mr. Mayor

Mr. Mayor is the mayor of Whoville and the perfect picture of patriarchy. He tries to keep the town happy and secure, which is quite a job since the tiny Whos are always in danger of being swept away and lost. Cast a young man who can portray an older age and a sense of authority. Mr. Mayor has a few featured lines sung with Mrs. Mayor, so it’s great if the two actors’ voices work well together. 

Gender: male
Mrs. Mayor

Mrs. Mayor is the mayor’s wife and is most concerned with trying to make sure her son, JoJo, stays in line. Cast a fine singer and actor complementary of Mr. Mayor and JoJo, whose voice blends well with Mr. Mayor. 

Gender: any
Gertrude McFuzz

Gertrude McFuzz is a bird with tail envy! Cast a great performer who can sing, act and is a perfect match for Horton. 

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Mayzie LaBird

Mayzie LaBird is a sneaky bird who tricks Horton into helping her take care of her egg. Cast a young woman who can express a fun, jovial and careless spirit. 

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Sour Kangaroo

Sour Kangaroo is as sour as a kangaroo can be. Cast a young woman who can sing and act well and can serve up a good deal of attitude. Feel free to cast a younger performer in the role of Young Kangaroo, who could be played by a boy or girl. They should function well as a pair. 

Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Young Kangaroo

Sour Kangaroo is as sour as a kangaroo can be. Cast a young woman who can sing and act well and can serve up a good deal of attitude. Feel free to cast a younger performer in the role of Young Kangaroo, who could be played by a boy or girl. They should function well as a pair. 

Gender: any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A4
Wickersham Brothers

The Wickersham Brothers (Wickersham 1, Wickersham 2, Wickersham 3) are a trio of trouble-making monkeys! Cast three boys or girls who can make strong physical choices, complement one another well and bring a strong, diverse energy to their mischief. Wickersham 3 has mostly solos that aren’t sung, so make sure that actor has great diction and a strong sense of rhythm. 

Gender: any
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Judge Yertle

Judge Yertle the turtle presides over Horton’s court proceedings. This is a fun role for a performer who can make strong acting choices. 

Gender: any
Vlad Vladikoff

Vlad Vladikoff is an eagle who drops Whoville into a field of clovers! Cast a young performer who has a great sense of comedy and can make strong acting choices in this fun cameo role. 

Gender: any
Ensemble

The Whos, Jungle Citizens (1-5), Fish, the Wickershams, the Talk Show Host and Marshal are all essential roles for creating the vivid and imaginative world of Seuss. Each creature or person should embody the characters with bold choices and a strong connection to the rest of the players. 

Gender: any
Full Song List
Seussical KIDS: Overture
Seussical KIDS: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
Seussical KIDS: Horton Hears a Who
Seussical KIDS: Here On Who
Seussical KIDS: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (Reprise)
Seussical KIDS: It's Possible (Part 1)
Seussical KIDS: It's Possible (Part 2)
Seussical KIDS: Alone in the Universe
Seussical KIDS: The One Feather Tail Of Miss Gertrude McFuzz
Seussical KIDS: Monkey Around/Chasing the Whos
Seussical KIDS: Horton Sits On The Egg/Dilemma
Seussical KIDS: Solla Sollew
Seussical KIDS: The Whos Return
Seussical KIDS: Yopp!
Seussical KIDS: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (Finale)
Seussical KIDS: Green Eggs and Ham
Seussical KIDS: Exit Music

Billing

Based on the works of Dr. Seuss.

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.

[Name of School]

Production of

 
Music by Stephen Flaherty
 
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
 
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
 
Co-Conceived by Lynn Ahrens Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle
 
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
 
Music Supervised, Adapted and Produced by Bryan Louiselle

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

If you purchase a video license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, then you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ACCOMPANIMENT AND GUIDE VOCAL CD1
CHOREOGRAPHY DVD1
DIRECTOR'S GUIDE1
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA1
PIANO VOCAL SCORE1
STUDENT BOOK30

Production Resources

Resource
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
FAMILY MATTERS
FAMILY MATTERS (PACK OF 10)
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
STUDENT BOOK TENPACK
STUDENT REHEARSAL CD
SUBPLOT CUSTOMIZED SHOW POSTER