It's time for a Seussical Revival

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 4:56pm

That score deserves to be heard in a new innovative Broadway production. Bartlett Sher would do wonders with this kind of material.

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:06pm

Needs a new/revised book. Need to fix the material that made it flop. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:11pm

I think it would be really superb if staged in a circus. Someone suggested that idea on here a couple years ago, and I loved it. Will try to find that thread! 

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:14pm

The Gallery Players in Brooklyn are doing a re-envisioned production right now.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:19pm

It really is overdue for a revised book. It has so much potential. 

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:21pm

I think it would be really superb if staged in a circus.

 

That idea would never work because the circus is represented as prison in Seussical. Terrible idea.

 

.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:22pm

All they really need to do is cut that awful military subplot and figure out some new orchestrations.  There are some great casting opportunities too (Dan Fogler as Horton please).

And yes Sher would know how to bring humanity to such a mammoth show.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:23pm

The problem with cutting the military plot, is that it would give Jojo nothing to do for the whole show.

[illiniparkie]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:36pm

I know this is a popular show for kids and schools but I found it pretentious and incomprehensible.  What is cute and whimsical in a short children's picture book becomes very tiresome over a couple hours despite some pretty melodies.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:38pm

What did you find pretentious about Seussical?

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:49pm

Jojo has plenty to do throughout the show.  The military plot adds a whole extra hour to the show and it has no real purpose and it's based on a more obscure Seuss story that many don't recognize.  I would prefer to see The Lorax incorporated instead if they were to do rewrites.  Maybe Encores! will decide to do this in the future.

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:56pm

Jojo has plenty to do throughout the show. ?

 

Not really. If you cut the Military plot, Jojo would have Alone in the universe and then you really wouldn't see him until the end of the show since the bird plots take over the the majority of the show. You'd also have to cut Havin a Hunch  since Jojo doesn't go on any journey.

 

I never disliked the military plot. It makes sense since the who's are going to war with the outside world. 

 

There's just so many different storylines in the show and it's hard to find equal and cohesive treatment to all. 

 

.

Updated On: 2/9/16 at 05:56 PM

[illiniparkie]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:56pm

Shrek3 said: "What did you find pretentious about Seussical?

 

Specifically, the lyrics drive me nuts.  Two hours or so of nonsense words.  Again, a lot of people love it...I don't.

 

"

 

[Shrek3]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 5:59pm

 Two hours or so of nonsense words.

 

I mean, it's Dr.Seuss....

Updated On: 2/9/16 at 05:59 PM

[Broadway kid 2]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:03pm

Shrek3 said: " Two hours or so of nonsense words.

 

 

 

I mean, it's Dr.Seuss....

 

"

 

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:15pm

"Silly" yes, "pretentious" no.  Music Circus in Sacramento is doing it this summer.  Can't wait.  

[tazber]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:28pm

I'd much rather get Little Dancer.

[ozjust4]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:30pm

If this were to happen, its best they use the version that is licensed.

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 6:54pm

I couldn't even follow the plot. It became tedious pretty quickly to me.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 9:12pm

To piggyback off ClydeBarrow's post, the Gallery Players production is on TDF for $9.00. I'm seeing it next Saturday, and would be happy to report back here on it.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 9:36pm

I know youth productions that cut the military scenes and made Jojo go on travels alone to think and grow up. There was still "Havin' A Hunch." Works much better.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 10:49pm

Havin' a Hunch is great, I remember listening to it obsessively as a tween because I'd never heard anything so menacingly bluesy (I was always, and still am, vaguely disappointed by the upbeat finish).

 

I'd love to see a Seussical revival that feels intimate, organic, and un-shrill. The show has such a nice, dark underside that deserves to be showcased.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 10:58pm

The 2007 revisal and TYA licensed version prove to me that there could be some magic in this show. The key is finding the balance that lies between it being good old fashioned Dr. Seuss and just ridiculously over the top.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 11:03pm

Curtain rises. We see a man in a hospital bed.  On the desk is his combat helmet and dogtags. He's tossing and turning. He's having a nightmare. Nurses walk in to try and soothe him.  (These will later be Gertrude and Maizie).  Doctor comes in to check on patient.  Takes the vitals.  Shakes his head from side to side out of concern. (He will later be the Cat in the Hat).  All leave.  Man tosses and turns - combat noises are heard.  Explosions.  He sits upright and The Cat in The Hat comes down from the sky.  

What follows is the Seussical show as a hallucination of a combat veteran suffering PTSD.  

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 2/9/16 at 11:10pm

"It's time for a Seussical revival" said no one ever.

 

I'm sorry, but that was my first thought after reading the headline of this thread. I think some things are better left unrevived.