Seussical Character List

[Don Toal, Jr.]

Seussical Character List:

Note:  This show is categorized as a ‘light opera’, which means there is less spoken dialogue than your average musical—nearly all characters (with the possible exceptions of Thing One and Thing Two) are expected to sing!

The Cat in the Hat (Range F2 – F4 for Male, G3-G5 for Female):  One part omniscient narrator, one part mischief maker and one part imaginary friend, the Cat introduces the audience to the world of Dr. Seuss.  He appears throughout the show—sometimes where least expected—to guide Jojo through his journey and give the story a kick in the pants where needed.  Must have strong comic timing and vocal/physical variety.  Note:  This character can be played by a male OR female actor.

Jojo (Range Ab3- C5):  A young Who boy (about 8-12 years old) who lives on a speck of dust floating through space.  The son of the Mayor of Whoville, he is bright, creative, and inadvertently mischievous—his “thinks” cause more trouble than he means to.   Must be sincere with a childlike imagination and heart.  Note:  This character can be played by a male or female actor, but the part is written and performed as male.

Horton the Elephant (Range A2-A4): A gentle giant who lives in the Jungle of Nool with many other animals and colorful characters.  His discovery of an entire world on a small speck of dust—and his compassion and determination to protect it, because “a person’s a person, no matter how small”—serve as the core of our story.

Gertrude McFuzz (Range F3-F5):  Horton’s next-door neighbor, this little bird is the only one who sees the good in Horton—but is too shy and timid to know how to show it.  She is kind and loyal, but self-conscious of her one-feather tail and general awkwardness.  Must be able to sing and speak in a unique/quirky voice befitting the character.

The Sour Kangaroo (Range F#3-F5): Bossy, brassy, and a bully to boot, she is the de-facto leader of the animals in the Jungle of Nool, and if someone steps out of line or is “different,” she will not hesitate to shut them down with sass.  Must be a strong, soulful singer who is able to multitask, as they will also be puppeteering the Young Kangaroo which lives in her “pouch.”

Mayzie La Bird (Range G3- Eb5): The most beautiful bird in all the jungle, Mayzie is vain, self-centered and flighty.  For her, if it’s not extravagant, it’s not worth doing—although she usually manipulates someone else to do it for her.  She gets wrapped up in both Gertrude and Horton’s stories over the course of the show, although she’s oblivious to how much she’s actually “helping.”

Mr. and Mrs. Mayor:  Jojo’s parents, the Mayor of Whoville and his wife mean well, but are just not sure how to handle their overimaginative child.  Must be quirky but relatable, with stylized movement befitting the “Whos.”

The Bird Girls:  This musical girl group serves as a Greek chorus with feathers, helping to narrate the action of the story in song and serve as solid support for both Gertrude and Mayzie.  Must be strong singers with good harmonic skills.

The Wickersham Brothers:  This troop of funky, punky monkeys loves nothing more than to play pranks and cause chaos in the jungle—and Horton is their biggest and easiest target!  Must be dynamic movers w/ tumbling, physical comedy, etc., as well as singers.

General Genghis Khan Schmitz:  Unflinching and unhinged, this power-crazy, over-the-top drill sergeant runs a military academy which drills pesky “thinks” out of rebellious Who children’s’ heads---and then sends them straight to war on the front lines of the Butter Battle! 

Vlad Vladikoff: A shady character and mercenary of mischief, this black-bottomed eagle gets hired by the Wickershams to steal Horton’s precious clover containing the inhabitants of Whoville.

The Grinch:  Now reformed and living in Whoville, this green-furred curmudgeon is the same character everyone knows and loves—just a little less nasty.

Yertle the Turtle:  This esteemed member of the Jungle of Nool serves as judge, jury and ‘speck’-secutioner during the trial of Horton the Elephant.

Thing One and Thing Two: These mischievous minions are never far behind their boss, the Cat in the Hat, and are often seen accompanying his hijinks with zeal and zest.  Must be dynamic movers and have good comic timing.

Ensemble Groups:  Jungle Creatures of Nool, Whos of Whoville, Fish, “Hunches,” etc.