Character Descriptions

Cast of Characters

Cat in the Hat

The essence of mischief, fun and imagination. The Cat stirs things up, causes trouble, but always sets things right again. The Cat is he host and emcee of the evening, sometimes improvising with the audience, and is a presence in almost every scene. The Cat helps JoJo discover the power of his own imagination as they create the story together.

*Gender: Male or Female

*Strong storyteller who can connect to the audience.

*Comedic actor with good physicality

*Strong vocalist (Sings in 'Oh, The Thinks You can Think,  A Day for the Cat in the Hat,  How Lucky You Are, Havin a Hunch, and more)

Horton the Elephant

Horton is gentle, big­hearted, appealing, and kind. He is very imaginative and believes in the world’s goodness. He has a strong sense of responsibility and always tries to do the right thing for his friends. 

*Gender: Male

*Strong and endearing actor, who display vulnerability, sincerity and determination.

*Very likable

*Very strong vocalist (Sings in Horton Hears a Who, Alone in the Universe, Notice Me Horton, Solla Sollew, and more)

JoJo

JoJo is a Who and is the only child of the mayor and his wife. A “Thinker”– a smart child with a wild imagination. A little bit awkward, a little bit of a loner, and a rambunctious kid whose ‘Thinks’ get him into constant trouble. By the end of the show, he learns the power and possibility of his own Thinks.

*Gender: Male or Female

*Sincere and likable; a bit of an outcast.

*Strong vocalist (sweet) (sings in ' It’s Possible, Alone in the Universe, Solla Sollew, Havin' a Hunch, and more

Gertrude McFuzz 

A simple bird and a citizen of the Jungle of Nool.  Very self­-conscious, shy, and nervous at first, she grows into a kind and caring protector. She is has a huge crush on Horton and does what she can to get his attention, including foolishly growing an enormous feathered tail. She is a bit naïve at times, but always is a voice of reason. 

*Gender: Female

*Endearing actor/singer with good movement skills

*Strong comedic actor a must

*Strong vocalist (sings: One Feathered Tail, Amayzing Gertrude, Notice Me Horton, All For You, and more)

Mayzie LaBird 

Mayzie is the most beautiful bird in all of the jungle of Nool. She is self-centered, selfish and vain.  Mayzie will never admit her flaws and she manipulates others into doing what she wants. She relies on her beauty to navigate her way through life. 

*Gender: Female

*Mature and poised and dramatic actor , Comedic

*Strong vocalist  (sings Amayzing Mayzie, How Lucky You Are, Amayzing Horton, and more)

Sour Kangaroo

The ‘leader’ of the jungle who is loud, brassy, and stubbornly set in her ways. She has a lot of attitude. She is the cause of all of Horton’s trouble and commands the stage.

*Gender: Female

*A strong actor, with a powerful vocal (soulful)

*Must be a strong vocalist (a belter) (songs ' Biggest Blame Fool, Chasing the Whos, Egg, Nest, and Tree, The Trial of the People vs. Horton the Elephant, and more)

Wickersham Brothers

The Wickersham Brothers a lot like kids who tease, play pranks, and get a kick out of making mischief, although often at others’ expense. They enjoy hanging around and playing off one another.

*Gender: Male or Female

*Lots of attitude, good movement (gymnist, a plus) 

*Can project and sing solos (sings in Biggest Blame Fool, Monkeying Around, Chasing the Whos, Egg, Nest, and Tree, and more)

Bird Girls

Sassy birds and citizens of the Jungle of Nool. They are a clique of pretty, self-centered “backup birds” who do whatever Mayzie does. They often act as storytellers, serving as a big presence throughout the evening. The group often sings in 3-part harmony as well as performing solos.

*Gender: Female

*Good dancers and movers

*Must be a strong solo vocalists (sings in Biggest Blame Fool, Horton Hears a Who, Amayzing Mayzie, Amayzing Gertrude, All For You and more)

Mr and Mrs Mayor

Mr:  JoJo’s dad who is the newly elected mayor of Who. He is proud of his new role and eager to prove his abilities. While he loves JoJo, he also wishes JoJo would control his “thinks” and not cause trouble. 

Mrs:  JoJo’s mom who is trying hard to raise a difficult child in a difficult world. She is proud to be the mayor’s wife and wishes to uphold the values they share. She strives to present their family as an exemplary unit. 

*Gender: Male and Female 

*Must have good stage presence

*Must be a strong vocalist (sings in Here on Who, How to Raise a Child, Solla Sollew, and more)

General Genghis Khan Schmitz

A Who general who is bursting with pride at the military academy he runs, and the boys he turns out. Although a bit misguided, he is not abusive, he is PROUD and thinks he's doing the right think for the boys.  Not to be played as a villain, but rather as comedic. By the end of the show, he's discovered taht making war may not be the rigt thing to do, and that adults can learn from children as well.

*Gender: Male or Female

*Must have strong stage presence with good comedic timing, and a good singing voice (sings 'Military Academy')

Seussians:  Yertle the Turtle, Vlad Vladikoff, Grinch, Cindy Lou, Cadets, Fish, Circus Folks, and others

The Whos from Whoville

They’re a lot like you and me only so small as to be invisible. The Whos live on the tiny dust speck that Horton discovers, and they live in fear that their planet is in trouble. 

The Citizens of the Jungle 

Jungle citizens who help fill up the world of Seussical -- they are in the jungle, in the circus, in court, etc.