Welcome to the ISD 5th Grade Musical!

• The purpose of this production is to teach our students the theater arts and build community. We want our 5th graders to have fun and enjoy creating this show together. 
• Every student who registers will be cast in the show.
• Casting will be done by our director and is entirely at their discretion. No parents or students will be involved in the casting process.
• All rehearsal conflicts must be listed in the registration form. If a student misses too many rehearsals, it is at the discretion of the director to recast that student to a smaller role. 
• Both parent and student must read and sign the show agreement on the registration form.
• It is at the director's discretion to recast a part if a student is not meeting the good behavior standards they have agreed upon in their show agreement.
• Questions? Contact the team at: 5thmusical@isdpta.org 

SEUSSICAL INFORMATIONAL ZOOM MEETING:

January 4th at 7pm!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85894352665

Meeting ID: 858 9435 2665

Meet our cast:

Auditions:

• Video Submission due January 10th
• Acting Audition on January 12th

Rehearsals (times subject to change):

• January 17th to February 9th: Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:15- 5:00pm 
• February 21st to March 1st: Monday-Friday 3:15- 5:30/6:00pm 

Performances (times subject to change):

• March 2nd: 2pm (student assembly) and 6:30pm
• March 3rd: 2pm (student assembly) and 6:30pm

Show Synopsis

As a child stumbles upon a lone red-and-white-striped hat, its curious owners, the Cats in the Hats (Cat 1, 2, and 3) appear and introduce the boy to the wondrous world of Seuss (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!”).

The Cats begin their tales with the story of Horton the elephant who lives in the Jungle of Nool with Jungle Citizens (1, 2, 3 and 4) and several other unique creatures. One day, Horton is enjoying his bath, when he hears a voice on a speck of dust asking for help (“Horton Hears A Who”). Though puzzled, Horton delicately places the speck onto a clover just as Sour Kangaroo and Young Kangaroo bounce along to inform Horton that there couldn’t possibly be a person on that speck. The Wickersham Brothers (1, 2, and 3), a trio of monkeys, join in on teasing Horton for believing such nonsense. A Talk Show Host interviews two neighbor birds named Gertrude McFuzz and Mayzie LaBird about Horton hearing things that don’t exist. The cries of help return, and this time Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor reveal themselves to Horton as citizens of a tiny place called Whoville, along with the rest of the Whos (“Here On Who”).

At this point, the boy from the beginning becomes JoJo, their son, and is blamed for what are actually the Cats’ mischievous ways. JoJo is left to take his bath, but the Cats aren’t done leading the boy into greater adventures (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! – Reprise”). The Cats and JoJo are swept underwater with Fish all around in McElligot’s Pool (“It’s Possible – Part 1 and Part 2”). Meanwhile, Horton still guards the clover and believes in the Whos, despite the other animals’ judgments (“Alone In The Universe”). Horton and JoJo bond in their imaginations, and just as JoJo begins to fall asleep, the Cats wake him to tell him the story of Gertrude McFuzz (“The One Feather Tail Of Miss Gertrude McFuzz”). Gertrude tries everything to impress Horton, self-conscious of her small, plain tail. He never notices, and as she concludes her sad tale, the Wickersham Brothers return to steal the clover away (“Monkey Around/Chasing The Whos”). Horton chases them through great stretches of jungles, beaches and sand, but the monkeys hand over the clover to Vlad Vladikoff, a black-bottomed eagle who drops the Whos into a field of clovers. Mayzie reappears and asks Horton if he would consider sitting on her egg. Horton agrees (“Horton Sits On The Egg/Dilemma”) and finally, after fifty-one weeks, Mayzie returns. Horton pleads with Mayzie to take her egg back, but Mayzie relinquishes her responsibility. Horton tells the egg that he’ll protect it and sings the egg a lullaby (“Solla Sollew”). Just as things seem hopeless, Gertrude McFuzz appears with the clover and the Whos intact (“The Whos Return”).

As Horton is reunited with the Whos, everyone returns to take Horton to court for “talking with a speck, disturbing the peace, and loitering... on an egg.” Judge Yertle remands Horton to the Nool Asylum and decides that the dust speck be boiled in a kettle of beezlenut oil. JoJo saves the day (Yopp!), and the Whos are saved! JoJo is honored as “Thinker Nonstop,” and the egg hatches into an Elephant Bird.

As the adventure comes to an end (“Oh, The Thinks You Can Think – Finale”), JoJo reappears with the Cats’ hat and pulls it over his eyes, ending this story with one last reprise (“Green Eggs And Ham – Bows)”. 

Jojo

JoJo is the audience’s link to the story. The audience follows the narrative through his/her eyes (he/she’s also referred to as Child), so it’s most important to cast a young actor with an earnest and open disposition. He should be a great singer and actor. 

The Cats

The Cats (Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3) are mischievous, spirited creatures who take JoJo and the audience on quite an adventure. Cast three actors, male or female, with great singing chops and who can move well. Since the Cats take on different roles throughout the play, these actors should be bold, versatile and able to switch roles at the drop of a dime.

Horton

Horton is a loveable elephant with a heart of gold. Cast a young performer who can sing well and convey great loyalty and conviction to the Whos.

Mr. Mayor

Mr. Mayor is the mayor of Whoville and the perfect picture of patriarchy. He tries to keep the town happy and secure, which is quite a job since the tiny Whos are always in danger of being swept away and lost. Cast a young actor who can portray an older age and a sense of authority. Mr. Mayor has a few featured lines sung with Mrs. Mayor, so it’s great if the two actors’ voices work well together.

Mrs. Mayor

Mrs. Mayor is the mayor’s wife and is most concerned with trying to make sure her son, JoJo, stays in line. Cast a fine singer and actor complementary of Mr. Mayor and JoJo, whose voice blends well with Mr. Mayor.

Gertrude McFuzz

Gertrude McFuzz is a bird with tail envy! Cast a great performer who can sing, act and is a perfect match for Horton.

Mayzie LaBird

Mayzie LaBird is a sneaky bird who tricks Horton into helping her take care of her egg. Cast a young actor who can express a fun, jovial and careless spirit.

Sour Kangaroo & Young Kangaroo

Sour Kangaroo is as sour as a kangaroo can be. Cast a young actor who can sing and act well and can serve up a good deal of attitude. Feel free to cast a younger performer in the role of Young Kangaroo, who could be played by a boy or girl. They should function well as a pair.

Wickersham Brothers

The Wickersham Brothers (Wickersham 1, Wickersham 2, Wickersham 3) are a trio of trouble-making monkeys! Cast three boys or girls who can make strong physical choices, complement one another well and bring a strong, diverse energy to their mischief. Wickersham 3 has mostly solos that aren’t sung, so make sure that actor has great diction and a strong sense of rhythm.

Judge Yertle

Judge Yertle the turtle presides over Horton’s court proceedings. This is a fun role for a performer who can make strong acting choices.

Vlad Vladikoff

Vlad Vladikoff is an eagle who drops Whoville into a field of clovers! Cast a young performer who has a great sense of comedy and can make strong acting choices in this fun cameo role.

Ensemble

The Whos, Jungle Citizens (1-5), Fish, the Wickershams, the Talk Show Host and Marshal are all essential roles for creating the vivid and imaginative world of Seuss. Each creature or person should embody the characters with bold choices and a strong connection to the rest of the players.

Singing Audition Video Submission 

• Cast members should submit a singing audition video by January 10th.
• Students should sing a song they are comfortable with. Please keep videos to less than 60 seconds.
• The video should be submitted on this form: https://forms.gle/WczLmZEdnedrBqim8
• If you have any difficulties uploading, please contact webmaster@isdpta.org.

Audition Sides

The director will assign each child one or more sides to read at auditions on.

• Side #1: Gertrude, Horton
• Side #2: Horton, JoJo
• Side #3: Horton, Sour Kangaroo, Wickersham 1,2,3
• Side #4: Horton
• Side #5: Jungle Citizens 1,2,3,4, Sour Kangaroo, Young Kangaroo
• Side # 6: Jungle Citizen 5, Talk Show Host, Gertrude, Mayzie, Horton
• Side #7: Marshal, Horton, Judge Yertle, Mr. Mayor, Cats, JoJo
• Side #8: Mayzie, Horton
• Side #9: Mr. Mayor, Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3, Child
• Side #10: Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayor

Rehearsal Resources

Use the guide vocals to learn the songs and the performance tracks to try your hand at singing without the vocals. Use the choreography videos to learn your choreography.

• Audio Tracks: 
  • Guide Vocals
  • Performance Tracks
• Choreography: 
  • Choreography Videos

Have your artwork be the backdrop for Seussical KIDS!

We will be looking for three original drawings from the 5^th grade class to use as the three backdrop scenes for the show. 

We are looking for:

• Jungle of Cool
• Underwater scene with fish in background
• Who-ville

These images are just ideas to start off. Feel free to look online for other images for inspiration!

We are looking for full color drawings that we scan and have printed as the backdrops. If your drawing is chosen you will be listed as set artist on the playbill and your work will be seen by the entire school!

Please bring your drawings to a rehearsal by February 10^thor drop them off at the office.

When are auditions? 

Auditions will be in two parts. The singing audition will be in the form of a video submission. The acting audition will be on January 19th. Casting will be done entirely by the director. No students or parents will be involved in casting. Students should submit a video of themselves singing a song. It can be any song they know (Happy Birthday, Star Spangled Banner, etc.), they do not need to sign a song from the show. Details on how to send in the submission will be sent after registration. 

 
My child has several conflicts with rehearsal dates, but wants to participate, should I still sign them up?

We want this to be a very inclusive opportunity for all of the 5th grade, so we would encourage him or her to register if they want to be part of the production and can make a majority of rehearsals. All rehearsal conflicts need to be listed on the registration form. Any conflicts with these rehearsals need to be discussed with the director. Please be aware that students who have many conflicts will be cast in smaller roles. 

My child wants to be involved but does not want to be on stage. Are there any opportunities to just work behind the scenes?

We want every student to learn the show, play a part, and take their bow at the end of the performance to get the full theater education experience. We will not have purely behind the scenes roles and instead have cast members be involved in the whole process. The ensemble is a great option for kids who don't want to be center stage. If your child would prefer a smaller ensemble role, they can let Mrs. Busani know their preference at auditions.  

How is the PTA funding the show?

Producing a show is an expensive undertaking. Your program fee plus ticket sales will go towards licensing fees and show materials, fees for our director and music instructors, set, costumes, sound and lights, programs and more. We will also supplement with extra t-shirts sales, program ads and concessions as needed.  While the 5th Grade Musical is a PTA sponsored event, it is self-funding. 

When will tickets go on sale?

Tickets will be sold in February. Tickets will be general admission.

How can parents help?

We need lots of volunteers to help make costumes, supervise rehearsals, help make set pieces and help on show day with makeup, costumes, tickets and more. We will have rehearsal and performance volunteer opportunities listed soon. If you would like to be actively involved in the planning committee, email the team at 5thmusical@isdpta.org.

Open Arts Alliance (OAA) is a 501c3 non-profit social service organization that uses the performing arts to bridge the gap between the youngest and eldest members of our community. Through our educational programs for children and senior citizens, OAA is dedicated to bringing literacy and art to Greenwich and the surrounding community. Our educational programs use theatre to speak to students of all ages about personal wellness, bullying and making positive life choices. Learn more at OpenArtsAlliance.com.

Jake Lloyd (right): Director of Education, Open Arts Alliance

Jake has worked in theatre and music for over 20 years. As an educator, he has worked primarily with middle school students in the classroom and on the stage.
His work as composer / director / conductor has been seen off-Broadway, in regional venues, and countless theaters across the country, with original works that include, The Lost Boys, Anne of Green Gables, and A Christmas Carol.

Contact Jake at OAA: jake@openartsalliance.com

 

 

Cindy Busani: Teaching Artist

Having been a part of the ISD family for 12 years (with her three children), Cindy is happy to be back at again with Open Arts Alliance.

 

Her past work includes being the PTA coordinator for the ISD musicals, The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, as well as directing the first ISD Talent Show. She was also the instructor for the ISD Afters Intro to Musical Theatre classes. Most recently she directed 101 Dalmatians Kids for Open Arts Alliance.  Cindy is also a past Board Member of the St. Catherine’s Players, as well as a performer with them.

 

She enjoys bringing her love of musical theatre to children and helping to give them the confidence needed to be creative and comfortable on stage and beyond.

Contact Cindy: cindybusani@gmail.com