Could Seussical be revived ?

[berniesb!tch]

Posted: 12/29/23 at 11:39pm

After a few glasses of white wine and a 30 mg edible, I watched a YouTube video essay about a Seussical. I will link below. It was a great essay and it got me to thinking, could this be successfully revived now?
 

I feel with the right cast and director this show could be a smash. Am I crazy? It's probably just the edible, but do y'all think the show could have a chance again on Broadway? I would love to hear y'all's thoughts  

 

Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DVoHQbjhBO8&pp=ygUacmlzZSBhbmQgZmFsbCBvZiBzZXVzc2ljYWw%3D

 

 

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/29/23 at 11:57pm

berniesb!tch said: "After a few glasses of white wine and a 30 mg edible, I watched a YouTube video essay about a Seussical. I will link below. It was a great essay and it got me to thinking, could this be successfully revived now?


I feel with the right cast and director this show could be a smash. Am I crazy? It's probably just the edible, but do y'all think the show could have a chance again on Broadway? I would love to hear y'all's thoughts



Video:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DVoHQbjhBO8&pp=ygUacmlzZSBhbmQgZmFsbCBvZiBzZXVzc2ljYWw%3D



"

No, nowadays it would flop worse. No C or D list celebrity was able to save it back in the day. Neither the silly amount of publicity.

It may serve community theaters nowadays, but the unfocused multi-story structure can't be saved with book or score tweaks.

 

[BeingAlive44Ever]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 1:29am

I think that Seussical had a chance to succeed and flubbed it. It's hard to imagine it ever doing well on Broadway. I can see it working literally in every setting other than Broadway, which by the way it has.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 3:25am

I am an ardent Suessical defender and I'd love to see it done professionally. But, I doubt it would happen. I think Encores could rock it if they wanted to, but I feel like they tend to do things more "mature." 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 8:50am

I always believed the "Jr" version was far superior. It got rid of so much extraneous crap.

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 10:04am

I agree, the TYA one-act is the superior version of the show. It’s really quite charming. I don’t know if it would work for Broadway, but what does these days?

[Kad]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 1:54pm

Seussical is certainly unique in musical theater history. It went from being a massive flop and a bit of an industry laughingstock to being one of the most produced musicals in the country. And since it's largely being done by schools or TYA, it means that generations of kids are growing up being exposed to the show and likely developing attachment to it. I'm not sure if it will ever be taken "seriously" enough to rise above being seen as a show for young audiences, but who would've guessed at its trajectory?

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 12/30/23 at 3:21pm

dramamama611 said: "I always believed the "Jr" version was far superior. It got rid of so much extraneous crap.

"

Totally agree. The JR version is so tight when it comes to plot and really makes for a GREAT show. The full length version has way too much unnecessary stuff.

To answer the original question, I don't think a revival would work. This is a show, like Addams Family, that is destined to be performed by amateur theaters for years to come but there is no need for a full scale professional revival.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/31/23 at 10:38am

I think this will absolutely be revived at some point. It's a well known property - which is a huge factor in what gets produced nowadays. The music is gorgeous and while the book could use some work, I don't see that as a major obstacle. I think if you got a decent sized star for Cat in the Hat you'd be all set. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/31/23 at 11:22am

Here’s the original 2000 Broadway production.  Enjoy.

 

[James1233]

Posted: 1/11/24 at 12:57pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Here’s the original 2000 Broadway production. Enjoy.

Thank you very much!

"

Updated On: 1/11/24 at 12:57 PM

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 1/11/24 at 1:25pm

There's a few gems in it, but to me it's still grating overly precious wall to wall sing songy Children's theatre as an experience.

I cannot imagine spending over $100 for it.

Let the Community Theatres have it. 

 

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 1/11/24 at 1:37pm

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "There's a few gems in it, but to me it's still grating overly precious wall to wall sing songy Children's theatre as an experience.

I cannot imagine spending over $100 for it.

Let the Community Theatres have it."

That's exactly my thought as well. They would lose so much money pulling the rights from schools and such that I cannot see it ever being worth it.