Audition Notice - Seussical

Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by Lynn Aherns, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle
Based on the Works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Trinidad Snider
Musical Direction by Heidi Herczeg

Artwork by Noah Hrbek

A person's a person, no matter how small."

Seussical is a fantastical, magical musical extravaganza! Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (known for Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, and Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, the lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination—Jojo.

The story, narrated by the Cat in the Hat, follows Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a young Who child sent to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: protecting the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers while guarding an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.

Despite the ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and trial that Horton encounters, the determined Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the themes of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are tested and emerge triumphant.

Seussical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

CASTING

NEAR WEST THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE CASTING. WE WILL CAST ARTISTS WITHOUT REGARD TO DISABILITY, RACE, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, COLOR, GENDER IDENTITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ETHNIC ORIGIN, OR ANY OTHERWISE INDICATED BASIS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTICALLY CASTING TO ENSURE ALL MARGINALIZED GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED.

THE CHARACTERS

The Cat In The Hat - A playful, all-knowing narrator who loves rhyming, offers wisdom, and pops in to guide the audience through the story.

Jojo - The Mayor’s child, a curious Who with a knack for trouble. Bright, imaginative, and unintentionally mischievous, Jojo possesses a huge imagination and finds friendship in Horton.

Horton The Elephant - The main character of our story. Horton is a compassionate and gentle elephant. Commonly misunderstood because of their larger size. Horton is protective and loving of all creatures in the jungle.

Gertrude Mcfuzz - Horton's one-feathered-tail bird neighbor. Gertrude is sweet and timid. Though kind and loyal, Gertrude is also self-conscious of their shortfalls.

Mayzie Labird - The most beautiful bird in all of the jungle. Oblivious to their self-centered ways, Mayzie relies on the talent of manipulation and intoxicating beauty to navigate through life.

The Sour Kangaroo - The 'leader' of the jungle. Loud, brassy, and stubbornly set in their ways. A caring parent, but unabashedly sassy and soulful.

Ensemble - Jungle Creatures (The Wickersham Brothers, Yurtle The Turtle, Bird Girls); The Whos (Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, General Genghis Khan Schmitz)

Auditions

• You must be at least 9 - 15 years of age to audition.
• Audition dates are Monday, November 3, Tuesday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 5, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Anyone auditioning must stay for the entire time. Please register below to reserve a space.
• Callbacks are scheduled for Saturday, November 8, between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Our audition process involves group work in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You do not need a headshot or resume; no preparation is required. It is a group experience of theatre games, improvisation, characterization, and movement. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing, and be ready to engage with your peers. Decisions and notifications will be made by the end of the following week.

Expectations

• Cast members are expected to prioritize rehearsals for the seven weeks this show rehearses and the eight performances.
• By the end of your audition, you must communicate any known rehearsal or performance conflicts to the Stage Manager and/or Director.

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals are scheduled for Monday, December 1, through Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Rehearsal days are typically Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and a couple of Thursdays (depending on conflicts). Rehearsals are on Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM (typically a four-to-five-hour range that will vary depending on conflicts. There are times we may have a longer day with a dinner break) and Monday through Thursday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
• The stage manager will distribute a schedule by Thursday of every week.
• Closer to the show's opening, typically tech week, rehearsals may be extended on some days, but they will not run past 10:30 PM.
• You may be required to participate in a Dry Tech Rehearsal on Saturday, January 31. This rehearsal typically takes place during the day.

Dress Rehearsal Week - “ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED DURING DRESS REHEARSAL WEEK.”

• Sunday, February 1, is Tech Sunday, an extended rehearsal for all cast, staff, and crew from 12 PM to 10 PM.  A potluck supper is organized and scheduled for this date. This is the first working tech rehearsal. Costumes, lighting, props, and special effects will be incorporated later in the week.
• Monday through Thursday, February 2 - 5, are mandatory rehearsals. The cast, crew, and staff are expected to be at the theater from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM each day. Everyone must stay until the end of the rehearsal to run the show.

Performances

• The cast is expected to be at the theater at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday performance nights and at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.
• The performances are scheduled for February 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22.
• Curtain times for Friday and Saturday are at 7:30 PM, and Sunday is at 2 PM.