Many thanks for signing up to take part in Seussical.
A reminder of all the rehearsal dates/times, costume information, ticket info etc etc will be issued following the auditions next week. Seussical is a big show, with a tight rehearsal schedule. It is vital that everyone comes to all the rehearsals. While I appreciate things do come up, kids find it really difficult to catch things up when they've missed rehearsals. Theatre is very much an ensemble production, and while we can record choreography etc, it's not possible to learn a show fully from home. (To give you an idea, this show has less rehearsal hours than show in a week!)
For those with bigger principal parts, we will, as usual put in some extra rehearsals for solos, duets etc.
Seussical Audition Information
As a junior show, ALL parts will be played by our cast under 19. As such everyone is welcome to audition, although as ever it's important to note that no one HAS to audition. If you want to audition here are the steps to follow:
- Think about the characters we talked about at rehearsal (or on the attached sheet) and decide who vou would like to audition for.
- Go to Doodle Poll and select an audition time for next Sunday (the 15th)
- Use the table below to work out which bit of singing / speaking you need to practise
- Use the PDF of the script and tracks to rehearse the music - you can practise at home with the track with the singing on it(the rehearsal tracks), but you must audition with the track with no singing on it (the performance tracks) - it's definitely not a good idea to hear those tracks for the first time at auditions, so practise with the performance tracks at home as well.
- Come to your audition next Sunday at the time you picked, bring your slip with you (although we will have spares)
A note on the Characters in Seuss
The vast majority of the characters in Seussical are over the top, quite ‘out there’ characters. It’s often going to be the case that we are not necessarily looking for the nicest singer, for Seuss it’s vital that the lines are confident, in the right place, and have a lot of ‘oomph’ - it’s a big show!
Casting any show is a massive jigsaw, casting a show like Seussical with a huge number of principal parts, where there are two casts and some people have selected which cast they need to be in, is even more of a jigsaw. As such we will consider everyone for every part, unless we are told otherwise.
As ever, we will make the auditions as non-scary as possible, but everyone will need to come into the room and sing on their own (we’ll help if they get stuck) as that’s the most reflective of performing in the actual show.
Seussical Summary and Character Info
Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
I will consider you for all parts, unless you tell me otherwise 😀
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/her own imagination as they create the story for the show together. The Cat must be able to play many different comic cameos and be comfortable improvising with an audience. The Cat does not need to be a strong singer, but should still have good rhythm and timing.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
PAGE1 BAR 1 - 19 |
Speaking & Singing |
Track 2 |
|
PAGE 120 |
Auction Speech |
Jojo is a "Thinker", a smart child with a wild imagination. He/She 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/she learns what it means to be a responsible member of his world, using the power and possibilities of his own Thinks. He/She should be a strong singer.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P56 BAR 1 - BAR 26 |
Singing |
Track 10 |
|
P73/4 DIALOGUE |
Speaking |
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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P21 BAR 82 - P21 BAR 105 |
Speaking & Singing |
Track 3 From 2 Min |
Gertrude Mcfuzz is very self-conscious and aware that her one-feather tail isn't perfect. Gertrude changes during the show from a neurotic, 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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P137 BAR 1 - BAR 64 |
Speaking & Singing |
Track 28 |
Mayzie La Bird is self-centered, 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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P78 BAR 54 - BAR 112 |
Speaking & Singing |
Track 13 From 1.30 |
Sour Kangaroo
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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P24 BAR 1 - P26 BAR 25 |
Speaking & Singing |
Track 4 |
Young Kangaroo
Her tiny sidekick.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P24 BAR 1 - P26 BAR 25 |
Just the Young Kanga Lines |
Track 4 |
The Wickersham Brothers are a lot like kids who 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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P27 BAR 34 - P28 BAR 49 |
Sing All 3 Wickershams |
Track 4 From 50 Secs |
Trio of birds who sing alongside Gertrude and Mayzie, and provide commentary on the action.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P112 BAR 9 - BAR 27 |
Track 19 |
Mr. and 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.
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
P51 - BAR 1 - P54 ‘WHO HAS GOT INTO YOUR HEAD’ |
Song & Lines (Do Either Part) |
Track 8 |
The Grinch – a small part, one of the whos
Yertle The Turtle – the judge of Horton’s eventual trial
Vlad Vladikoff – the eagle who steals Horton’s clover
Various – fish/who families, dancers, courtroom attendants etc etc.
Everyone will end up being either a Who, or a Citizen of Nool
PAGE |
NOTES |
TRACK |
|
SING EITHER YOUNG KANGA/BIRD GIRL OR THE CAT’S FIRST BIT |
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