TBS Proudly Presents Seussical the Musical

March 14, 2026 at 7:00 pm & March 15, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Online Ticket Sales End on 3/13/26 at 8:00 pm, after which you may buy tickets at the door.

Why is Temple Beth Sholom putting on a musical production?

A musical might seem like an unexpected choice for a synagogue – but in many ways, it’s a perfect fit. Jewish tradition has always celebrated storytelling, music, and gathering as a community. From the songs of our liturgy to the stories we pass down from generation to generation, we express our values and our history through shared voices.

Putting on a musical brings those elements together: creativity, collaboration, humor, and heart. It gives people of all ages a chance to participate, to support one another, and to build community in a joyful way. Most of all, it reminds us that Judaism isn’t only something we study – it’s something we live, celebrate, and create together.

Why Seussical?

The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss may seem far removed from congregational life, but its messages resonate deeply with the values our community holds dear. At its heart, Seussical celebrates kindness, imagination, courage, and the importance of every individual voice – reminding us that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

The story also teaches the power of standing up for what is right, caring for one another, and believing in possibilities even when others doubt. These themes echo many of the lessons our tradition passes down: to protect the vulnerable, to value each person, and to build a world filled with compassion and hope. Through laughter, music, and a little Seussian magic, Seussical invites us to see our world – and each other – with curiosity, empathy, and joy.

This production has been made possible through the generous support of the Marc Umlas Memorial Music Fund. We are deeply grateful for this commitment to creativity, community, and the arts at Temple Beth Sholom.

By underwriting this production, the fund helps bring people together across generations – onstage, behind the scenes, and in the audience – to share in the joy of storytelling and music. This support ensures that opportunities like this remain a vibrant part TBS life. We thank the Umlas family for helping make this production possible and for strengthening the spirit of our community.

Thank you to our Production Crew

Production Team

Co-Producers: Stacy Penson & Barb Shimansky

Production Manager:: Rachel Umlas

Light and Sound: Adam Trautenberg, Sean Olivera, Ryan Shapiro, Jeff Greene at 84 West Production

Backstage Crew: Dani Eixarch, Gabby Krain-Sasson

Song List

Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
Horton Hears A Who
Biggest Blame Fool
Biggest Blame Fool Playoff, etc.
Here On Who
Meet JoJo the Who
How To Raise A Child
Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (reprise)
It’s Possible 1 and 2
Alone In The Universe
The One Feather Tail Of Miss Gertrude McFuzz/amayzing Mayzie
Amayzing Gertrude Part 1
Amayzing Gertrude Part 2
Monkey Around/chasing The Whos
Notice Me, Horton

How Lucky You Are
Mayzie’s Exit/horton Sits On The Egg/dilemma/hunters
Egg, Nest, And Tree
Sold/mayzie In Palm Beach
Mayzie at the Circus
Amazing Horton
Alone In The Universe (reprise)
Solla Solew
Gertrude Espionage Part 1
Gertrude Espionage Part 2
All For You
The Whos Return/the People Versus Horton The Elephant (pt. 1 & 2)
Yopp!
Alone In The Universe (reprise)
Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! (finale)
Green Eggs And Ham (finale bows).

Yellow Playbill cover with Cat in the Hat
Click image to download

Summary

Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical TYA (Theater for Young Audiences) is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge – not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Seussical TYA is fun for the whole family! Run time approximately 75 minutes.

Dr. Seuss character with colorful background.
Monster hand illustration, backstage sign-up invitation.

Character Breakdown

The Cat In The Hat
The essence of mischief, fun and imagination. The Cat stirs things up, causes trouble, but always sets things right again, helping JoJo to discover the power of his imagination as they create the story for the show together. Look for a physically adept actor (male or female) to play the Cat, one who will be able to play many comic cameos (Dr. Dake, helicopter reporter, TV interviewer, auctioneer, Mr. McGurkus, etc.) and is comfortable improvising with an audience.
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: F2
Jojo is a “Thinker”–a smart child with a wild imagination. He can be played as being a little bit awkward, a little bit of a loner, or simply a rambunctious kid whose ‘Thinks’ get him into constant trouble. By the end of the show, he learns what it means to be a responsible member of his world, using the power and possibilities of his own ‘Thinks.’
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Gentle, rotund and appealing. Think of him as a big-hearted blue collar guy who is steadfast and responsible and always tries to do the right thing for his friends. He is imaginative and receptive to the world around him. He is very un-self-conscious. Horton’s view of the world never changes–he believes in its goodness. But by the end of the show, without even realizing it, he is ready to become a parent.
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Very self-conscious and aware that her one-feather tail isn’t perfect. Gertrude changes during the show from a vain, neurotic, nervous and shy bird into one with the power to protect and care for a baby elephant bird and commit herself to Horton. In other words, she stops worrying about her looks and grows up doing what she wants. But Mayzie isn’t all bad. In giving up her egg to Horton once and for all, she has a moment of generosity–she realizes she isn’t the kind of person who’d be a good parent, and she does the best thing she can do for the egg.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Self-centered, selfish and vain, Mayzie will never admit to her own flaws. She manipulates anyone she can (especially Horton) into doing what she wants. But Mayzie isn’t all bad. In giving up her egg to Horton once and for all, she has a moment of generosity–she realizes she isn’t the kind of person who’d be a good parent, and she does the best thing she can do for the egg.
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: G3
She isn’t really sour at all. She’s just got a lot of attitude. She’s loud, brassy and a lot of fun.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F#3

These are not bad guys! They’re simply 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 with one another, making music together on the street corner, and playing off one another. Encourage each of your actors to find his own Wickersham persona.

They’re a lot like you and me only so small as to be invisible. Don’t think of them as cute midgets or weird little aliens. They should be played for inherent humanity. Encourage everyone playing a Who to try and create his or her own, unique character.

Each animal is a distinct human persona. They are real people at heart, just like us, even though they may be described as animal characters. We discourage masks and literal “animal costumes.” Be imaginative. Be Wild. Be simple.

They are like the popular girls in any school–a clique of pretty, self-centered “back up birds” who do whatever Mayzie does.

Mr. and Mrs. Mayor are parents trying hard to raise a difficult child in a difficult world. They may get aggravated with Jojo, but they love him dearly and try to do the right thing, even if it turns out to be a mistake.
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Mr. and Mrs. Mayor are parents trying hard to raise a difficult child in a difficult world. They may get aggravated with Jojo, but they love him dearly and try to do the right thing, even if it turns out to be a mistake.
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3

Circus Performers, Whos, Jungle Citizens, Etc.