Play Analysis
Given Circumstance
1. Where does the play take place?
Seussical begins on a blank stage (which symbolizes Jojo's mind), The Jungle of Nool, Whoville, McElligot's Pool (Jojo's bathroom in Whoville), Millitary School, Dr. Drake by the Lake, a court room in the Jungle of Nool, and then returns back to the blank stage (Jojo's mind).
A. What does the author list in the stage directions? (see chart below)
B. What do the characters say about place specifically in the dialog that gives you clues? (see chart below)
C. How do the characters describe the place they are in? (see chart below)
D. What is the significance to the place they are in?
The places are all a figment of Jojo's imagination. The significance of each place is unique because it represents another piece of himself. His inner thoughts and ideas unfolding.
E. Summary, in what country, city, town, building, room does the play take place and why did the playwright chose this location for this story?
The story takes place in Jojo's imagination. He imagines The Jungle of Nool, Whoville, Mc Elligot's Pool, Military School, Dr. Drake by the Lake, and a court room in the Jungle of Nool.
2. When does the play take place?
A. What does the author list in the stage directions?
The 15th of May (Jungle of Nool), Christmas (on Who), and we see the seasons change. We also see that enough time has passed for an egg to be hatched. (see chart below)
B. What do the characters say about the time, date, month, day, year, season, etc., specifically in the dialog that give you clues? (see chart below)
C. What is the significance to the time period, day, date, month, year, season, decade, century?
The significance is that time passes quickly and then slowly. Becuase the story in his mind, there is no rhyme or reason.
D. Over what time frame does the action of the play occur? ( Construct a time chart for the action)
E. Summary, in what time of day, day of the week, date, month, year, season, decade, century does the play take place and why did the playwright chose this period of time?
Seussical takes place throughout several days, nights, and seasons. The decade is not established however, it can be assumed that it is modern time. I believe the play suggests that it could take place anytime and anywhere.
3. Character Analysis
1. What types of characters are represented?
2. Who are the principal characters?
3. Who are the secondary characters?
3. Are there any crowds and groups?
a. What is the function of each group?
b. Are they symbolic? If so, of what specifically
c. Who do they represent?
a. Are the characters three dimensional, extraordinary, archetypal, or representative?
b. Who is the protagonist?
c. Who is the antagonist?
d. What are the functions of any other principal characters?
a. Is the character a foil or confident for example?
b. Does the character serve to relate news, exposition, cover for a quick costume change, and create comic relief?
Jojo is a three dimensional character. He is also a protagonist in the play. He is a main character.
Cat is a three dimensional character. She is the antagonist in the play. She is also a Narrator in the play. She is a main character. She serves to relate news to the characters and to the audience.
Horton is a three dimensional character. He is a protagonist in the play. He is a main character.
Gertrude is a three dimensional character. She is a protagonist in the play. She is a main character.
Mayzie is a three dimensional character. She is an antagonist in the play. She is a main character.
Sour Kangaroo is a three dimensional character. She is an antagonist in the play. She is a minor character and yet plays an important part in pushing the action of the play.
The Bird Girls are "representative: stock characters. They are supporting characters and they support Mayzie La Bird. They are part of the chorus. As a group they drive the action. They are also foil characters as they parallel Mayzie and sometimes Gertrude.
The Wickersham Brothers are "representative" stock characters. They are supporting characters and they support The Sour Kangaroo. They are part of the chorus. They are also foil characters as they parallel the kangaroo.
Mr and Mrs. Mayor are both minor characters however, because of the role they play as Jojo's parents they are archetypal characters as well.
General Ghengis Khan Schmitz is a type character. He is a bit of a villain.
The Whos are type characters. They are part of the chorus.
The fish are non human members. They are chorus members. The fish serve as extensions of Jojo's thinks.
The Circus Performers are stock characters. They are members of the chorus.
Character Roles
Cat is the antagonist and the protagonist of the story. She leads Jojo to discover the power he has inside of him. She jumps in and out of the story and breaks the fourth wall throughout the show in order to pull in Jojo.
Jojo is the protagonist. His thinks are what makes the story come to life. Jojo sets the action in motion by discovering the hat.
Horton is the protagonist. Horton is the boy next door character. He is the one who discovers the Whos on the clover. He also makes it his mission to take care of the Whos and keep them safe from harm. Horton doesn't have any boundaries as he puts everyone else before himself.
Gertrude is the female protagonist of the story. She is struggling to fit in with her peers because she has a one feather tail. Gertrude is madly in love with Horton and just wants him to notice her. She will take drastic measures to get his attention. In the end, Gertrude makes a major transformation when she realizes that she loves who she is.
Mayzie is the antagonist in the story. She is the queen bee over all of the jungle. She is the leader of all the birds. As long as she is the center of attention, she is content with her life. Mayzie isn't mean, but yet, she strives to take care of herself above all others. When Mayzie gets into some trouble, she leaves her egg with Horton. In the end, Mayzie admits her self centered behavior but validates her narcissism as doing good deeds.
Sour Kangaroo is an antagonist. She rules the Wickersham Bros and whatever she says goes. The Sour Kangaroo makes fun of Horton and encourages the other jungle animals to follow her lead. She sets the action in motion by encouraging his bullying and causes the other jungle animals to doubt Horton's story about the clover.
The Wickersham Bros follow the Sour Kangaroo's every order. They follow her around and like to cause trouble. They are antagonists in the story. It is the Wickershams that steal the clover from Horton which allows for the Whos to get lost.
The Bird Girls are the greek chorus of the play. They serve as Mayzie's mean girl crew and also as the narrators for the story.
Mr. Mayor is a supporting character in the play. He is Jojo's Dad and offers comic relief during times of trials for the Whos.
Mrs. Mayor is a supporting character in the play. She is Jojo's Mom and serves as the Mayor's sidekick.
The Who chorus is full of characters. They are the heart of whoville.
The Circus Performers and the Fish are more of Jojo's thinks. They are chorus or ensemble characters that support the main characters.
a. What are their roles in life?
All of the characters are figments of Jojo's mind. There are jungle animals, fish, circus performers, and the Whos.
b. What do they think of each other? (see dialogue analysis chart)
c. What do they think of themselves? (see dialogue analysis chart)
5. Under what form of government do they live?
Whoville has a Mayor, a General, and a cadets.
The Jungle has a Judge (Yertle the Turtle).
6. What are their attitudes towards:
A. Their religion-
There isn't anything in the text to suggest a specific religion. However, the Circus Performers, the Whos, Horton, and Jojo all sing of a place like heaven called Solla Sollew. This suggests that the characters desire to go to a better place.
B. Sex-
There isn't anything in the test to suggest what the characters think about sex. We do know that Mayzie met a man in Fort Worth and the result was the egg.
C. Family-
Jojo develops a very close bond with his mom and dad (Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor). Additionally, all of the characters are closely connected to their family group. They lean on each other for support and guidance.
D. Marriage-
The known married couple in the play are Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor. After the birth of the elephant bird, it is assumed that Gertrude and Horton will live together as a family with the elephant bird.
E. Ethical Conduct-
Horton is a very ethical character who wants to do what is right. The Jungle animals seem to have an ethical alliance towards whatever Mayzie and the Kangaroo say or do.
7. What kind of dialogue do the characters speak?
All of the characters speak a combination of natural language but with a Dr. Seuss twist.
8. What happened before the play began?
Jojo is a curious little boy.
Gertrude is in love with her neighbor Horton the Elephant.
Mayzie La Bird leads the Bird Girls and rules the Jungle.
Sour Kangaroo leads the lower echelon of the Jungle Creatures.
The Whos live a very happy life and they love Christmas.
9. What happens in the play?
Horton discovers there are people living on a clover named the Whos.
With the Sour Kangaroo leading the way, everyone in the jungle makes fun of Horton because they think he is crazy.
Gertrude is in love with Horton and will do anything to get his attention.
Mayzie talks Gertrude in to taking some pills to make her tail grow.
The Cat throws Jojo into the story and his parents send him to Military School.
The Wickersham Brothers are "monkeying around" and they steal the clover (with the Whos on it) away from Horton.
Horton looses the clover.
Gertrude's tail begins to grow and yet Horton still doesn't notice her.
Horton bumps into Mayzie who is guarding her egg. She convinces Horton that he should protect it for her so she can take a quick vacation.
Mayzie leaves for Palm Beach.
Seasons pass and Horton is still on the egg when hunters enter the jungle.
Horton is thrown on a boat and ends up at an auction in NYC.
Horton and the egg are sold to the Circus McGurkis.
Meanwhile in Palm Beach, Mayzie is getting board and finds a Circus ticket and decides to check it out.
Mayzie sees Horton and decides to give him the egg permananetly.
Meanwhile, back on Whoville the Military is getting ready for war. The Whos are having a Christmas celebration.
Jojo gets tired of the war and takes off into a mind field. We assume Jojo is lost forever.
The General delivers the news to his grieving parents.
Then Jojo is lost and cannot find his way home.
The Cat teaches him that he can have a hunch in order to find his way home.
The hunches help him and Jojo is delivered back home.
Horton is still on the egg when Gertrude finds him.
She declares her undying love for him and tells him her story.
Gertrude decided to go back to Dr. Dake to loose her long tail.
Horton finally sees Gertrude for who she is.
Gertrude then gives Horton his clover.
The Sour Kangaroo spots Horton and leads him to the courtroom in the Jungle of Nool for talking to a speck dust.
There is a dramatic trial when finally the Whos are heard and everyone realizes that Horton was telling the truth all along.
The egg hatches and an elephant bird is revealed. Gertrude and Horton decide to raise the elephant bird together.
Jojo leaves the characters and moves on to another journey. "The sky becomes pink."
Scene Breakdown Chart
10. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PLAY?
A. Briefly describe the principal event in the play.
The Cat wants to teach Jojo that anything is possible! Horton teaches us that a person's a person no matter how small.
B. Construct an action chart for the play. Is it a climatic or episodic structure?
The play is predominantly episodic in mood. However, there is a huge climax leading up to the Jungle Creature realizing the Whos are real and they are safe thanks to Horton.
11. What is the theme of the play?
There are many different themes in Seussical the Musical. I found the more research that I completed using the text I was able to uncover deeper truths to the work. I know so many people that think Seussical is a "kids" show. I love to start the conversation because I believe that the heart of Seussical is so much more!
Imagination is Enough...
In Seussical the Musical the main character Jojo has a wild imagination. It is his "Thinks" that bring the story to life. Every character and the dilemma they face is based on Jojo's imagination. We see the story twist and turn as characters discover more about themselves . Not only are the characters affected but Jojo himself imagines that he is lost and separated from his family. It is the cat that reminds him that his "thinks" can carry him back home safe and sound.
The writer of this musical is trying to teach the reader/audience that our inner voice is powerful. We can think amazing things that will boost our own imagination and cause wonderful things to occur. Additionally, we can allow our own thoughts to over come us and scare us into believing we are lost and alone. I was inspired by Jojo's creative spirit. It reminded me of a time when I wasn't bogged down with the worries and troubles of this world. I believe this musical is meant to remind us to break free from the weighted thoughts and troubles and focus on the good in things. Our imagination is enough!
Imagine the effect of this inspiration on a director. I see Jojo as a director reading a script and imagining the scenery the characters, the props, the setting. It simply serves as a reminder that anything is possible for me to create as long as I am committed to the story and can look at it with fresh eyes.
A person's a person no matter how small...
Horton the elephant makes an amazing discovery on the small clover. He finds the Whos are living there. They are in danger and Horton is the only person who hears them. I see many themes as I think of this piece of the story. I think of the Jews and the persecution they faced in the Holocaust The followers of Hitler refused to "see" the Jews. Or if they saw them they refused to offer them help.
I see the theme of everyone deserving to be loved no matter who they are. I recognize that God loves us all and made us all different and unique. Yet there are certain people that don't see others with that same kind of love and acceptance. I believe that Horton recognizes the Whos and hears their call because he too has suffered from the horrors of bullying which has allowed him to be more open to the hurts and needs of others. Horton is willing to give whatever he can to protect and stand up for the Whos. If we all showed that kind of love and concern for the people around us the world would be a much better place.
Love Who You Are...No matter where you Are at the time
Gertrude is a gawky one feathered bird who is madly in love with Horton. Gertrude is ostracized by the other bird girls because they are too cool for her. Gertrude takes the advice of Mayzie La Bird and goes to the doctor where she takes pills that will make her tail grow.
There is a little Gertrude in all of us. We all have insecurities that cause us to want to fall into peer pressure to better ourselves. We all want to fit in with the cool kids. I feel for Gertrude because I see that sh e will do anything to change. I think that everyone has experienced something that they would like to change. What is so unique about Gertrude's transformation is that she has the strength to make a change that she hopes will help her be a better person. When that change causes her more pain and heartache, she isn't afraid to go back to the original Gertrude. Gertrude has qualities in which every woman should try to use in their own life. Don't feel like you have to be anyone but yourself. Don't be afraid to change and then if it doesn't work out you can always change back again.
This War Makes No Sense...
In Seussical the Musical, the General Ghengis Khan Schmitz runs a military school for boys. Mr. and Mrs. Mayor send their son Jojo there to learn how to train and fight. I love that the military academy cadets, "do not like green eggs and ham" and they eat their bread "butter side up". It very interesting to see that they are fighting a war over such a small issue.
The theme is that we don't need to fight over issues that are minor in the scheme of the world. I believe this theme is introduced by Dr. Suess himself in his Butter Battle Book. While researching the dramaturgy of Seussical, I discovered that Dr. Seuss had a rooted interest in politics. He was able to mask his beliefs through children's books. I believe that Seussical is a reminder to us that war makes no sense. Any war is a needless war. When Jojo is sad because it's Christmas on Who, he is reminding us that life is too short and memories are there to be made not destroyed by war.
Overall, the deeply rooted themes in Seussical are evident to the audience through the witty writing and deep character plots. We can all find something in Seussical that touches us and teaches us to examine ourselves a little more closely.
12.What is the tempo, rhythm, and mood?
The tempo, rhythm, and mood of Seussical is upbeat and fast paced. The only time in the story when the tempo, rhythm, and mood slows down is during the musical piece "Solla Sollew". It is the one moment in the play, when the entire company is together on stage singing about a far away place that is like heaven. I believe it is a breaking point for the audience because we realize that these characters are a mirror image of human kind. Because of this realization, we are able to accept the other aspects of the play as valid truths that we can apply to our lives.
13. What is the historical biographical, social background and production history?
Seussical is Composed by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. It debuted at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 30, 2000. The show performed 198 times before going dark. The orginal cast members included Kevin Chamberlin, Anthony Blair Hall, Janine LaManna, Michele Pawk, David Shiner, Eric Devine, Eddie Korbich, Alice Playten, Sharon Wilkins, and Stuart Zagnit. It was directed by Rob Marshall and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. After a Broadway run, the production spawned two US national tours and a UK tour. It has become a favorite for school, community and regional theaters. Although Seussical isn't considered to be as well known or respected as other modern shows, The Time Magazine of 2008 reported in issue, p. 51, that this musical ranked as the second most frequently produced musical by U.S. high schools in 2007. The musical is a favorite among community theatre companies as well. Just this year, Seussical was showcased at 4 different major high schools in the Houston Area. Taylor H.S. won the Tommy Tune for BEST SET! (Which is the set that we were able to use for our production at IWA). The Country Playhouse (a famous community theatre in Houston) will be performing the musical this June.