What's so great about Seussical?- Page 2
What's so great about Seussical?
JasonM12480
Broadway Star Joined: 3/17/05
#25re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:21pm
I was just fortunate enough to be in an EXCELLENT production of this show, and it was definately an experience I'll never forget.
I knew nothing about the show (nor did I really have any interest to) before I did it. I think it is one of these shows that has to, conceptually be CORRECT. There has to be a fun vision for the show, and it has to be communicated intelligently. And luckily, this production was. Yes, the story has a great message about heart, acceptance, loving others for who they are, and family. But it's also a fantastic show to be creative with, and let your imagination run wild. I was privilaged enough to work with 23 other immensely talented individuals who knew how to work as an ensemble (not an easy task), and we created a fun, vibrant, creative piece of theatre that, while not the most brilliant show in the world, everyone - both actors and audience - had a blast with.
And the music's kind of cool, too :)
#26re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:30pm
Snaps-
That's another thing I was going to point out. The show never hits you over the head with what it is trying to say. I walked out the performance I saw feeling enlightened, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how important it is for kids and adults to see it.
Snaps
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/17/05
#27re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:38pm
My thoughts exactly.
And I just noticed... I am going to see it professionally; it's going to be in the Philadelphia area, at the Media Theatre come this winter.
"Bangarang, Rufio!"
--Hook
La Vie Boheme
Leading Actor Joined: 1/7/05
#28re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:59pmThe broadway production didn't do well at all and I personally think they could have done better if it was done properly. The costumes were horrible...but high schools (well the ones ive seen) arent recreating the costumes THANK GOD. The score is underated, it has some rock, love ballads and a bit of everything. Its a very good ensemble show which is why a lot of high schools do it. Its great for all ages. Dr. Seuss into a musical...whats not to like?
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#29re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:15amI saw it on tour a couple of years ago and I loved it. It's not a phenomenal show or anything...but it's cute and fun.
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elphieisperky
Broadway Star Joined: 2/21/05
#30re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 8:36amPersonally, I thought Seussical really had a lot of heart. As some know, I performed it with my theater company last month. All of my friends were like, "Ew, Seussical? That's so babyish," and stuff like that. At first, I thought it was too, but then we actually did it. It was, with all honesty, a very hard play to perform. Even my director admitted that. But seriously, I'm not going to say it was crazily amazing, but we did a pretty darn good job, and I think that Seussical isn't just a Dr. Seuss play. It really brings out the fact that it doesn't matter if you're different, you can still accomplish and believe anything. Updated On: 6/24/05 at 08:36 AM
#31re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 8:40am
"What's so great about Seussical?"
The title.
~And let us try, before we die, to make some sense of life~
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#32re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:44amIt has an excellent score.
TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!
#33re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:53amThe Broadway production was fun, but incoherent at times. I thought LaManna was absolutely the standout and should have gotten a nom. Pawk was a great vamp and performed well, but LaManna just lit up the stage every time she appeared. Her "All For You" brought down the house. My biggest problem was the book. Trying to tie all these unrelated stories together just created a mess and the use of the Cat in the Hat as Emcee throwing in silly unrelated antics was even more confusing. Had it been a review of the individual stories, I think it could have been more successful. The tour made some book and score changes which I found even more abrupt and confusing and the staging pretty much ruined some of the best numbers, especially the opening. On Broadway, the opening was like a joyous celebration of the world of Dr. Suess and his characters. On tour it was a weak attempt at a conceptual statment that was dull, understated, and other than the lyrics, had nothing to do with the rest of the show.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#34re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:04amI was excited about Seussical from the beginning, but I think it's first fatal misstep was in trying to cram too many of the stories together in one show. They cut stories right and left throughout the writing process, but it still had too much to be coherent, and I agree with Mister Matt about the Cat in the Hat not working very well as the emcee/narrator. I think the show would have worked best if focused on Horton, not Jojo, and if that freakin' Kangaroo were not in the show at all.
CurtainUp
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/9/04
#35re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:28pm
I've never seen it, but the score/lyrics may be some of the most heartwarming and wrenching I've heard in awhile. The characters are REAL and it's so much about liking yourself and being true to who you are - a timeless lesson.. Who hasn't felt "Alone in the Universe"? Who hasn't wanted to be "Amayzing." It's wonderfully sweet and has some very real messages and themes.
Plus, the music is SO much fun! *hums Amayzing Mayzie*
Rosencrantz: "Be happy - if you're not even HAPPY what's so good about surviving? We'll be all right. I suppose we just go on."
- from Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Updated On: 7/9/05 at 03:28 PM
Becky
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/03
#36re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:47pm
What's so great?
Well, I have a different perspective. I play the cast recording in my 2nd/3rd grade classroom quite often and my kids love it. Every year. Never fails. They become completely hooked on the songs/story - and this year a local theater was doing a production. I arranged a field trip, and tried not to tell them about it (for it was 8 months away.) One by one I had kids running in telling me it was coming - mind you, kids who have never been to the theater but noticed *this* production being advertised. I had to break down and tell them, and for months we had to keep track of when we would be going on a huge calendar.
May finally came, and because I had a *difficult* class, I was concerned about how they would behave in the theater. Well, from the first moments the orchestra started until the lights came up - they barely moved. They were completely mesmerized by the show - and the little bit of familiarity they had with the cast recording helped - for they lit up when certain songs began. I can't even describe how wonderful it was to see their reaction to this.
Only one of my kids had previously been to the theater, so it was such a wonderful feeling to have their first show be so enjoyable. One of my girls was so excited about the show that her grandmother took home some information regarding their summer workshop classes for kids. Now, she is enrolled in their kids theater program.
I took my class 2 years ago to another musical (won't name it) and they did *not* have the same reaction. They were bored and it ranked last in their "favorite field trip" survey. In fact, I had to convince my co-workers to return to the theater for Seussical because they didn't want to try another show. They didn't think the kids would enjoy it.
That's what I think is so great about this show.
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#37re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:52pm
"The score. One of the most underrated in recent years."
I completely agree.
CCM '10!
#38re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 3:55pmI bought the cd a few months ago, mainly because I heard a few of my friends talking and saying they loved it, so I gave it a shot. I lsitened to it and there's nothing great about it. I think the music is decent, though I wouldn't spend 100 bucks to see it on Broadway.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
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mandy2loveRB
Featured Actor Joined: 5/4/05
#39re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 4:17pm
I saw it 4 times and I really liked it. As many said, the score is underated. They were simple (Of course, everyone's favorite was Solla Sollew at the Theatre) but there are many songs that will stick to your mind.
I really enjoyed Pawk and Chamgerlin (Horton was perfect for him), but I have to agree, the Cat in the Hat was not working. I mean, I am a major fan of David Shiner's Clowning (Silent Tongue, Cirque du Soleil, and Lorenzo's Oil, and of course, Fool Moon), but his voice just could not carried the Cat...imagine you have to have a voice training after 40... not to be mean.
But I guess, it was not only because of David...After Rosie took over, it did not take off...so I guess, it simply did not work.
But again...It was a very lovable piece and every time I saw, I left the house with a smile.
#40re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 4:45pmNothing! I Despice Seussical! STAY AWAY FROM THHAT TERRIBLE SHOW!!! EL DIABLO!!
KRISTEN CHENOWETH
To show my gratitude, I'll offer you this pointy black hat, which is just like the one Original Wicked Witch Margaret Hamilton wore in the movie!
IDINA MENZEL
What a great idea! How about throughout the play, you continue to offer me things like a black cloak, or a black
cape, or a broom to make me look more and more like Margaret Hamilton did! These attempts at humor will be painfully
predictable from a mile away!
AUDIENCE collectively groans.
#41re: What's so great about Seussical?
Posted: 7/9/05 at 4:45pmNothing! I Despice Seussical! STAY AWAY FROM THHAT TERRIBLE SHOW!!! EL DIABLO!!
KRISTEN CHENOWETH
To show my gratitude, I'll offer you this pointy black hat, which is just like the one Original Wicked Witch Margaret Hamilton wore in the movie!
IDINA MENZEL
What a great idea! How about throughout the play, you continue to offer me things like a black cloak, or a black
cape, or a broom to make me look more and more like Margaret Hamilton did! These attempts at humor will be painfully
predictable from a mile away!
AUDIENCE collectively groans.
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