What's so great about Seussical?

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:19pm

Now, I'm not saying it is or is not a good show, however, I saw a local production of it and found it very dull and pointless. My college will be doing it as their musical this coming fall, and I'm willing to give it another shot. I'm just wondering why, if you do, some people find it so wonderful.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:20pm

I personally don't like it very much. I've seen it twice and I just think that it didn't work all that well as a musical.

[takehomeazak06]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:21pm

wasnt it a broadway failure and didnt it get horrible reviews. i could be 100% wrong.

[hellacoolmichael]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:22pm

My highschool is doing it next spring. I'd like to know the same question. I keep asking myself, "It didn't even have a very good run on broadway, so who would want to come and see it at Mason High School?"

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:22pm

What's so great about Seussical?

Absolutely nothing.

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:22pm

Well, its at least good to see that I am not alone in my feeling it isn't that phenomenal.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:24pm

Actually, the Broadway production had one thing going for it: Michele Pawk.

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:25pm

I will agree with that, mef. Listening to the recording she is a rather stand-out performer.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:26pm

Actually I heard Janine LaManna was the outstanding performer in the OBC. And she was really snubbed of a Tony Nom.

[broadway86]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:27pm

What's so great about Seussical?

The score. One of the most underrated in recent years. At least, IMHO. I love the show. I take that back... I love the TOUR version. Apparantly, the Broadway version had some major problems.

[broadwayboy1939]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:27pm

Ok, so SEUSSICAL may not be a great show or even a really good one, but the story is sooooo cute and adorable! Our high school just did it in May, and we had sold out audiences every night. There wasnt even any stading room! We were packed! The show is cute becuase the story is so fun and interesting! Children absolutley love it!!! The costumes, characters and music make the show very enjoyable! It makes the audience members want to beleive, dream, and have fun! Yes, the show is NOT a classic that will be remembered and get a tony, but it is fantastically adorable and appropriate for all ages! Its a heart toucher that will make you smile!

[hellacoolmichael]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:27pm

Why do schools do it though?

I totally requested YAGMCB and Into the Woods.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:34pm

Actually I heard Janine LaManna was the outstanding performer in the OBC. And she was really snubbed of a Tony Nom.

Janine was very good, but I would hardly call her the stand-out. For me, at least, and almost everyone else I have spoken to ever about this show, Michele has always been mentioned as the stand-out.
(Michele always seems to be the stand-out in every show she's in).

[takehomeazak06]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:35pm

all i know is my school is doing les miserables second semester. uhhhh.....i cant get much better than that.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:36pm

Well a lot of the reviews and articles I've read praised Janine, and stated she deserved a Tony nom.

Anyway, Janine is fabulous. I love that woman.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:40pm

Anyway, Janine is fabulous. I love that woman.

Yes, Janine is quite fabulous.

[Snaps]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:43pm

While I hear that, yes, Seussical had some major problems while it was in New York, the production put on here last summer, presumably based on the show's tour, was, in my opinion, wonderful. I personally love quite a bit of the score, and the show itself is whimsical and charming with that hint of the political that kept it from being a show aimed purely at children.

I would love to see it performed professionally, and whenever I see "A person's a person, no matter how small," plastered to a bumper sticker beside a fetus, my blood runs a little cold.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:44pm

i only like the charecters i like are Mayzie and the bird girls, they have the most fun and good material, but love Michelle Pawk (Mayzie) and Janine LaManna( Gertrude)

[Snaps]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:48pm

Well-said, Shneb.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:57pm

It's good for local schools and community theatres because your libraries always stress reading and when I was in middle and elementary school we learned about "RIF"(Reading Is Fundamental) and the Cat in The Hat was the mascot.....so maybe the schools are trying to stress reading and by doing so school and local theatres can put on this show.

[broadway86]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:07pm

Snaps-

You brought up a great point. The show is so simple in its message(s), but it cuts right to the heart. Wanting to be heard, accepting people for who they are, doing good for others, using your imagination, accepting responsibilty, protesting violence, etc. These are all universal, but they are all so seamlessly woven into this story.

Ever since I first saw it, I've always found "Seussical" to be a very emotional and enjoyable musical, with absolutely terrific songs. Within time, I think it deserves another chance.

[Snaps]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:20pm

Thanks, Broadway86.

"Universal" is a great word for Seussical. Children, of course, focus on the characters that they know from stories, but in the same vein, almost every child knows how it feels to be lonely or to be misunderstood, and so they can relate to the characters on a whole different level now that they're right in front of them. Adults, especially parents, seemed to understand the theme of the family, the concern for children, and the idea of just how petty violence can be. There are definitely multiple levels to the show, and it's easy for someone tofind something that speaks to them.

One of the beautiful things about Seussical, though, is that it doesn't try to force-feed you its messages. It doesn't blatantly say "These wars really are stupid," "You've got to protect your freedom to think and to be heard," or "Not all families are built the same; don't judge," but between a tap-dancing Cat and a circus, you understand anyway.

[JasonM12480]

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 :)

[broadway86]

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]

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.