Senior Company
Continue to grow your skills in singing, dancing & acting while working on a full Broadway style Musical!
For Students entering
Grades 7-10 in September, 2023
CURRENTLY FULL
The Show
“Seussical” is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favourite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination…Jojo. “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think” captures the show’s spirit of imagination, as the colourful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkus, and to the invisible world of the Whos.
The story centres around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge…not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes “his kind and his powerful heart.” Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant, in a story that makes you laugh and cry.
The score is a “Seussian Gumbo” of musical styles, ranging from Latin to Pop, Swing to Gospel, and R&B to Funk! It contains classic musical theatre ballads & duets and has something for every voice type. Character voices are encouraged and are even necessary to pull off many of the outstanding roles in this show. Like many of the more modern musicals, this show is almost ENTIRELY sung!
Seussical is a wonderful, upbeat and challenging show to produce. There are fabulous roles for our more experienced performers, with lots of fun, featured roles for the whole group. There will be TONS of characters, TONS of dancing, TONS of singing, and TONS of fun….(not to mention TONS of costume changes!!) for EVERY member of the cast!!
The Musical Numbers
Overture
Oh The Thinks you Can Think
Horton Hears a Who
Biggest Blame Fool
Here on Who
How to Raise a Child
Alone in The Universe
It is Possible
The One Feathered Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz Amazing Mayzie
Amazing Gertrude
Monkey Around/ Chasing the Whos
Notice Me Horton
How Lucky You Are
Act One Finale
Entract
Act One Finale
Egg, Nest & Tree
Mayzie in Palm Beach
Act One Finale
Amazing Horton
Solla Sollew
All For You
Act One Finale
The People vs Horton the Elephant
Alone In the Universe – Reprise
Oh the Thinks you Can Think – Reprise
Green Eggs & Ham (Bows)
(there are many additional “sung sections” with solo lines throughout)
The Characters
The Cat in The Hat
is the essence of mischief, fun, and imagination. THE CAT stirs things up, causes trouble, but always sets things right again, helping JOJO to discover the power of his own imagination as they create the story together. He is the MC for the show!
Casting Notes: This actor must be able to play many comic cameos and be comfortable improvising with an audience.
Voice: Solo, duet & Chorus Singing. THE CAT can be a strong singer but more importantly, should have good rhythm and timing.
Songs: Oh the Thinks You can Think, Oh the Thinks You can Think (reprise),It’s Possible, How Lucky You Are, Entract, Mayzie in Palm Beach, All for You, The People vs Horton the Elephant
Jojo
is a “Thinker”, a smart child with a wild imagination. He can be played as being a little bit awkward, a little bit of a loner, or simply a rambunctious kid whose Thinks get him into constant trouble. By the end of the show, he learns what it means to be a responsible member of his world, using the power and possibilities of his own Thinks.
Casting Notes: Needs someone who can handle lots of dialogue & solo singing
Voice: Solo, Duet & Chorus Singing. A very confident, strong singer required.
Songs: Horton Hears a Who, The Thinks You Can Think (reprise), It’s Possible, Alone in the Universe, Finale – Act One, Solla Sollew, Alone in the Universe, The People vs Hortons the Elephant, Act 2 Finale
Horton the Elephant
is a gentle giant. Think of him as a big-hearted blue-collar guy who is steadfast, responsible and always tries to do the right thing for his friends. He is imaginative and receptive to the world around him. He is very unselfconscious. Horton’s view of the world never changes – he believes in its goodness.
Casting Notes: Needs a strong, confident actor as this role is the heart of the show!
Voice: Solo, duet & Chorus singing. A very confident, strong singer required. Lots of solo work.
Songs: Horton Hears a Who, Biggest Blame Fool, Here on Who, Alone in the Universe, Finale – Act One, How Lucky You Are, Alone in the Universe -reprise, Solla Sollew, The People vs Hortons the Elephant,Yopp!/ Alone in the Universe – 2nd reprise, Finale Act Two
Gertrude McFuzz
is very self-conscious and aware that her one-feather tail isn’t perfect. Gertrude changes during the show from a nervous and shy bird into one with the power to protect and care for a baby elephant bird and commit herself to Horton. In other words, she stops worrying about her looks and grows up.
Casting Notes: The “Ingenue” role…with a bit of a comic twist!
Voice: Solo, duet & Chorus singing. Needs a strong, mid range voice.
Songs: Biggest Blame Fool, The One Feathered Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz, Amayzing Mayzie, Amayzing Gertrude, Finale – Act One, All for You, Alone in the Universe – 2nd reprise, Finale Act Two
Mayzie La Bird
is self-centred, selfish, and vain. Mayzie will never admit to her own flaws. She manipulates anyone she can into doing what she wants. But Mayzie isn’t all bad. In giving up her egg to Horton once and for all, she has a moment of generosity–she realizes she isn’t the kind of person who would be a good parent, and she does the best thing she can for the egg.
Casting Notes: A very strong, confident character….very flamboyant!
Voice: Solo, Duet & Chorus singing. Strong singer…more of a belt feel.
Songs: Oh the Thinks you Can Think, Amayzing Mayzie, How Lucky You Are, Mayzie in Palm Beach, Amayzing Horton, Finale Act Two
Sour Kangaroo
isn’t really sour at all. She’s just got a lot of attitude. She’s loud, brassy, and a lot of fun.
Casting Notes: Needs a very confident, outgoing actor!
Voice: Solo & chorus singing. Has some VERY jazzy solo singing… almost “Gospel” style. A good, confident singer required!
Songs: Oh, The Thinks you can Think, Biggest Blame Fool, Chasing The Whos, Egg, Nest & Tree, The People vs Horton the Elephant
Baby Kangaroo
is a miniature version of the Sour Kangaroo…with tons of attitude!
Casting Notes: Needs a very confident, outgoing actor!
Voice: Solo & chorus singing.
Songs: Oh, The Thinks you can Think, Biggest Blame Fool, Chasing The Whos, Egg, Nest & Tree, The People vs Horton the Elephant
The Bird Girls
are the “Girl Singing Group” of the jungle. They sing back-up vocals with attitude and comment on everything that goes on in the show!
Casting Notes: 4 Bird Girls will be cast
Voice: Solo, Small Ensemble & Chorus singing.
Songs: Horton Hears a Who, Amayzing Mayzie, Amayzing Gertrude, Chasing the Whos, Finale Act One, All for You, The People vs Horton the Elephant, Act Two Finale
Mr. Mayor & Mrs Mayor
are WHOS who are parents trying hard to raise a difficult child in a difficult world. They may get aggravated with JOJO, but they love him dearly and try to do the right thing, even if it turns out to be a mistake.
Casting Notes: We’ll be looking for a pair that work well and sing well together.
Voice: Solo, duet & chorus singing. Character voices would work for these two.
Songs: Here on Who, How to Raise a Child, Solla Sollew, The People vs Horton the Elephant, Finale Act Two
The Wickersham Brothers
are not bad guys! They’re simply a lot like kids who tease, play pranks, and get a kick out of making mischief, although often at others’ expense.They enjoy hanging around with one another, making music together on the street corner, and playing off one another.
Casting Notes: 4 Wickersham Brothers will be cast
Voice: Solo, small ensemble & Chorus singing. Character voices will work well for these roles
Songs: Biggest Blame Fool, Monkey Around, Chasing the Whos, Egg, Nest & Tree, The People vs Horton the Elephant, Finale Act Two
Yertle the Turtle
is a slow, serious resident of the jungle. The judge in Horton’s trial.
Casting Notes: Small cameo role
Voice: Solo & Chorus singing. Character voice will work.
Songs: Biggest Blame Fool, The People vs Horton the Elephant
Additional Ensemble characters
Fish
The fish that Jojo imagines in McElliot’s Pool in the “It’s Possible” number…we might get creative with these!
The Grinch
Now a member of the Who’s society and a friend to all!
Marshal of the Court
A bailiff in the Court
Vlad Vladikoff
The eagle who steals the clover from Horton
The Nurse
Dr Dake’s (played by the Cat) assistant
The Whos
Ensemble – the Citizens of Who
Jungle Creatures
Ensemble – all of the creatures in the Jungle of Nool
Orchestra
Play pretend instruments durning the Entract before Act 2 (Very Silly Character roles!)
“Seussical”….RESEARCH
If you want more information on “Seussical”, an original Broadway Cast Recording is available on itunes (note that not all of the songs are in the Jr version….but the best ones are!! See the list above.)
Also check out the MTI (Music Theatre International) website at www.mtishow.com.
We also encourage the cast to read “Horton Hears a Who” and any other Dr Seuss books they have over the summer so you get used to the “Seuss” language!
Course Details
This course rehearses from September 2023- May/June 2024.
Course concludes with a year end production & 3 performances of a musical onstage at Metro Theatre.
There are no auditions to enrol in this course…students just need to have a positive attitude, strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. However, while it isn’t necessary, we do recommend that students have some experience in singing, dancing or acting for our Senior Course. All students will have the opportunity to audition for a variety of roles within the show.
We encourage parents to remind their children that every role is an important one and that being part of a strong ensemble group is what theatre is all about!
**Students registering for this course must commit to being at EVERY possible rehearsal unless absent for illness or a required activity for school.
Dates
Course Dates:
Sept 20 2023 – June 1, 2024
Rehearsal Day & Time:
Wednesdays 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Rehearsal Location:
Knox United Church Sanctuary Building
PERFORMANCE DATES – Mandatory Attendance
Tech Rehearsal:
May 30, 2024
Performances:
May 31, 2024 (7pm)
June 1, 2024 (2pm & 7pm)
IMPORTANT: This is a performance course. Participants MUST be available for the TECH REHEARSAL on June 1st and ALL 3 PERFORMANCES on June 2nd & 3rd. Please do not register if students have conflicts on these dates.
Senior Company Course Fees:
Registration Fee:
$1100 (includes $100 non-refundable deposit)
Ticket Fee:
$440 (20 tickets @ $22 each)
**All fees must be included with your registration package
Payment Options:
Registration Fee
Cheque Option
If paying by cheque, the registration fee may be paid in 2 instalments of $550.
1st Cheque:
Dated for day of registration
2nd Cheque:
Post dated for January 1, 2024
**Both Cheques are due at time of registration
Registration Fee
E-transfer Option
If paying by e-transfer, the total amount of $1100 is due at time of registration.
*e-transfers can be sent to actingupmusicaltheatre@gmail.com
Ticket Fee
Payable by Cheque Only
Each student’s family is required to sell 20 tickets for the shows.
A $440 post dated cheque for May 1st, 2024 is required with your registration package.
**Families will receive their 20 tickets in May which can then be sold for $22 each to help recover this cost.
SENIOR COMPANY REGISTRATION:
If you would like to register for the Senior Company:
**PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL AT actingupmusicaltheatre@gmail.com TO CONFIRM.
Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
ONCE YOU HAVE RECIEVED AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT A SPOT IS BEING HELD FOR YOU :
You will be sent all of the registration material including forms, policies, a complete rehearsal schedule and a detailed list of what to include in your registration package.
Audition material will be sent out once we have received your registration package.
Auditioning for Roles
NOTE: While we do not audition students for the actual Company, we do need to audition within the group to help us assign roles for the show. Specific audition information will be sent out to those who confirm their spots. But here are a few general notes:
ALL STUDENTS will be asked to submit a video of themselves singing a short song (or two) that we choose in order to help us cast the show.
We’ll make sure you have everything you need to help you learn and prepare the song, including a practice vocal track, music and lyrics and a performance track for you to use in your video. We will also send out detailed recording instructions.
Videos will not be due until September so students will have lots of time to practice and prepare their audition video over the summer. We’ll keep it simple!
In Person Auditions:
In person auditions will take place during our first few rehearsals.
Our in person auditions are as low stress as we can make them. They are simply designed to help us cast everyone in a role that suits them the best.
In person auditions consist of group singing, various styles of dancing and reading through scenes 6from the script.
Our goal is to help the students learn so we try to cast students in roles that will challenge them or allow them to try out new skills.
Those students who wish to take on a solo singing role may be asked to sing one of their songs again in person at this time.
Individual Practice – VERY IMPORTANT!
Students will be expected to practice at home and to arrive at rehearsals each week having reviewed what was taught the previous week.
Practice tracks & performance tracks will be sent out to students so they can practice their songs at home.
All choreography will be filmed where possible, with videos emailed to the students after rehearsals so they can practice throughout the week.
If a student misses a rehearsal, they will be expected to use these videos to practice so that they don’t fall behind.
Detailed practice notes will also be sent out regularly so students know what to prepare for the coming week.