Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite 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. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in 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. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant. Seussical is fun for the whole family!

CYT HOUSTON’S SEUSSICAL
DIRECTOR’S VISION STATEMENT

Hi! This is Dee, and I'll be your director.
My vision, you ask? It's right here in this letter.
Our show, for a start, will be set in the 40's.
Lots of singing and dancing, like any great party.
"From there to here. And here to there. Funny things are everywhere. "
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."
So, we'll make certain that our audience recalls Horton's, "Don't give up now, I believe in you all! A persons a person no matter how small."
 
Now let’s take a look at who you might like to be….
 
Horton? Why he is as sweet as can be! His voice should be rich and oh so love-ly.
He shows love in all that he does, and he believes others do too,
So, show us what that looks like to you!
 
The Cat in the Hat? Well he is a laugh! Either a male or a female could walk this path.
This cool cat has lots of jobs in this show to do, so when you audition put on your thinking cap and show us the many faces and emotions and voices that will make folks clap!
 
JoJo? A small boy with big thinks in his head! He wants to help save his world from destruction, but his parents have in mind a different kind of instruction. He feels all alone as most of us at sometime do. Just show us who you are and just be you. Show us who JoJo looks like in you.
 
Mayzie La Bird? She is one self-centered bird! She has a HUGE voice and she’s very show-offish. Your song should let us know that you have the pipes for this job!  We might even have to turn down the volume knob.
 
Gertrude Mc Fuzz? She’s a sweet little bird with several problems but her heart is pure gold. She is willing to help Horton fight injustice and in doing so she becomes quite bold! Her voice, she says, is a pitiful tweet, but in reality, it is large and very complete. Your song, like Mayzie’s should strut your stuff! Please don’t hide it and never give up!
 
Bird Girls? Sing us a song that shows off your voice. If you are called back just remember birds of a feather flock together! They must sing in harmony with parts of three and that’s what we’ll be listening for most diligently.
 
Wickersham Brothers? We’re looking for tough guys! Show us how that is done but keep in mind it is all just for fun. What they like to do most is monkey around. We’ll be listening for voices that will work together and make a great sound. Harmony is a must for this rowdy gang so be ready to show us that you can “sang.”
 
The Sour Kangaroo? This girl can wail! Her voice must have some humph! She is sassy and brassy and bossy to say the least so make sure audition shows that! Complete!
 
The Young Kangaroo? She is just like her Momma in every way! Be brave in your audition and show us your sass every minute of every hour of every day!
 
Mr. and Mrs. Mayor? Parenting JoJo seems to be an Olympic sport for them. They are puzzled and befuddled and don’t know what to do. They are searching for answers everywhere on Who. They are quirky just like all the Who’s….they seem to talk in rhymes so a poem could be in order and their speech can reflect life in their Whovian borders. In other words, you could say that a character voice will be A.O.K. on this audition day.

General Schmitz? This guy is not mean, he’s just LOUD and PROUD! He runs the Whoville Military Academy. He is definitely a comedic character and when he sings, he tries to mimic opera. So, try something serious and yet make it funny and you will be right on the money!
 
 
What is my wish for auditions from YOU?
"Think left and think right. And think low and think high. Oh, the the things you can think up if you only try."
"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!"
So! Make your monologue and song show off YOU!
There is nothing more or less than you can do!
"And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed! (93 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!)"
 
I hope you will join us this Winter as we "Think and wonder. Wonder and think."
Come help us bring Seuss to the stage, from the page and the ink!!!

-Dee Willis, Director