One thing I realized about this show is that you need to be familiar with the world of Dr. Seuss to enjoy it with your kids. We know Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant — but that’s about it.
I must admit I got bored with the first part of the musical. I came in without any expectations and I did not read any prior information about Seussical in Manila.
During the latter act, the plot started to seem familiar. I recognized it as part of Dr. Seuss’ book “Horton Hatches the Egg“. The show ended with a dance musical of “Green Eggs and Ham“. Those parts got me excited because I’ve been reading those books to Aidan and Joshua ever since they were little.
To appreciate it, you and your kids need to be fans of the books so that you can enjoy the compilation of the story plot and personification of Dr. Seuss’ famous characters.
Here is a sneak peek into the Seussical world…
Little Kid, Jojo, opens the Seussical musical with his discovery of a hat left on an empty stage.
Jojo and The Cat in the Hat start to create their own characters and story while singing, “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!”
The story begins in the Jungle of Nool with Horton the Elephant and other animals.
You need to have a good imagination and visualize that the scarf represents an elephant’s trunk.
Three Bird Girls,
three playful Monkeys (called the Wickersham Brothers),
the naughty Mayzie La Bird,
and a Sour Kangaroo (sometimes played by Bituin Escalante) complete the cast of animals.
Horton the Elephant hears a tiny cry for help coming from a speck of dust he put in the clover flower, which is actually a tiny planet called Whoville (characters at the back).
Mr. and Mrs. Mayor of Whoville seeking help.
The three mischievous monkeys steal the flower and drop it into a big patch of clover flowers. Horton tries his best to look for it. But his search gets derailed when Mayzie the bird fools him into sitting on her egg for her.
Later on, Horton is captured by hunters and auctioned off to a circus.
The musical ends with the Green Eggs and Ham song for the cast’s final bows.
The distinct animal characters and the rhymes of Dr. Seuss’ work shines through in this musical. Seussical is a show that both kids and adults can enjoy, especially if you’re fans of Dr. Seuss’ colorful and wondrous stories.
Kudos to Joy Virata for the great visual orchestration and for bringing the world of Dr. Seuss onstage here in Manila!
SEUSSICAL – Theatre for Young Audiences
August 13 – December 18, 2011
Onstage Theater
2nd Level, Greenbelt 1
Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center, Makati
For ticket inquiries and other information,
call Repertory Philippines at +632 571-6926, 571-4941 or
email info@repertory-philippines.com
Tickets also available at Ticketworld at+632 891-9999.
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Full Disclosure: Our family got complimentary media tickets to watch Seussical.
P.S. Since the show runs until December, we would suggest that you get familiar with Dr. Seuss’ books as much as possible before watching this musical. My son Aidan loved it because he can relate to most of the characters. Joshua only recognized the Cat in the Hat.
Lovely photos!
I love the books and hoping i can watch Seussical too.. ur post is very much appreciated.Thank you po..=)
Me and my kids have watched the cartoon, “Horton hears a Who?”