(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey will hold auditions for Seussical, the Musical on April 27 from 10:00am to 5:00pm in-person in Basking Ridge and virtual auditions through April 21. This enchanting musical brings to life the beloved characters and stories of Dr. Seuss, with catchy songs and imaginative choreography. Performances will take place August 9-11, 2024 at the Rosen Performing Arts Center in Wayne.
Auditions and all rehearsals will be in Basking Ridge, NJ. Registrants will be advised of exact location after registering. All roles are opened and paid. Click here to register for an audition. Exact locations for auditions will be emailed to you after you register.
In-person Preliminary Auditions: Please prepare two contrasting 16-bar cuts in the style of the show (you are encouraged to choose a song from Seussical The Musical). Bring suitable sheet music for the accompanist. We will provide an accompanist, or you may bring your own. You may be asked to stay and read. There will be no dance call at the preliminary auditions but please bear in mind that the entire company needs to be able to move (some more than others). .
Virtual Preliminary Auditions: Please provide a link to a video of you performing two contrasting 16-bar cuts in the style of the show (you are encouraged to choose a song from Seussical The Musical).
Callback Auditions: They will contact those who are being invited to the Callback round to arrange an audition time. Callback auditions will be held in Basking Ridge, NJ on April 29 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be in-person only, not virtual. Callbacks will include a dance/mover call.
Notes: The most skilled dancer/movers are The Cat, Mayzie, The Bird Girls, The Wickershams, Vlad, and the Jungle Animals. A number of performers play several characters (circus performers or creatures etc.) All children’s voice ranges are considered as soprano/alto. All character ages are “stage ages”- the age the actor appears on stage. These character descriptions reflect initial thoughts and are not set in stone. When the show is cast, further character work will be developed with the actor’s input.
Suessical The Musical Character Breakdown
Actors are encouraged to sing from the show. All roles open. Seeking actors of all races for the following roles:
JOJO [Male identifying – open to all gender identities, all ethnicities, to play 8-12 years old]
* The Mayor’s son, he is always finding trouble. Bright, creative, and inadvertently mischievous. Possesses a wildly expansive imagination and finds solace in his friendship with Horton.
* Seeking confident young or teen actors with strong voices (A♭3 – C5). Good mover. Principal
THE CAT IN THE HAT [All gender identities, all ethnicities, mid-20s – early-40s]
* The essence of mischief, fun, and imagination. The Cat stirs things up and causes trouble but always sets things right again, helping Jojo to discover the power of his own imagination as they create the story for the show together.
* Seeking a comic actor with excellent timing and a flexible singing voice (mezzo/alto or bari/tenor). Must be a very strong mover with a great sense of physical comedy, tap a plus. Principal.
HORTON THE ELEPHANT [Male identifying, all ethnicities, late-20s – early-50s]
* A gentle giant; think of him as a big-hearted blue-collar guy who is steadfast, responsible, and always tries to do the right thing for his friends. He is imaginiative and receptive to the world around him. He is very unselfconscious; he believes in the world’s goodness.
* Seeking a comic actor with great timing and a strong, baritenor voice (A2-F4). Good mover with a great sense of physical comedy. Principal.
GERTRUDE McFUZZ [Female identifying, all ethnicities, early-20s – early 30s]
* Gertrude is very self-conscious and aware that her one-feather tail isn’t perfect. She changes during the show from a neurotic, nervous, and shy bird into one with confidence which she uses to protect the people for whom she cares.
* Seeking a comic actor with great timing and a strong soprano voice (F3-F5). Good mover with a great sense of physical comedy. Principal.
MAYZIE LA BIRD [Female identifying, all ethnicities, early-20s – early-30s]
* A self-centered, selfish, and vain foil to poor Gertrude; she never admits to her own flaws and manipulates almost anyone into doing what she wants.
* Seeking a mezzo-soprano with a good legit/belt mix (G3 – E♭5). Strong mover. Supporting.
MR. MAYOR [Male identifying, all ethnicities, early-30s – mid-40s]
* The mayor of Whoville and one half of a parenting couple trying to raise a difficult child in an equally difficult world.
* Seeking a comic actor with great timing; tenor (D3-E4). Good mover with a great sense of physical comedy. Supporting.
MRS. MAYOR [Female identifying, all ethnicities, early-30s – mid-40s]
* Wife of the mayor of Whoville and the other half of a parenting couple coping with the difficulties of raising a child who seems to find new ways to cause trouble.
* Seeking a comic actor with great timing; mezzo soprano (A3-A4). Good mover with a great sense of physical comedy. Supporting.
SOUR KANGAROO [Female identifying – open to other gender identities*, all ethnicities (BIPOC actors strongly encouraged to submit for this role), late-20s – early-40s]
* Loud, boisterous, sassy, and groovy self-proclaimed leader of the Jungle of Nool.
* Seeking a strong belter (F#3 – F5) with a commanding presence and confident with riffs; also voices the ‘Young Kangaroo.’ Good mover. Supporting.
(*Open to casting a trans or nonbinary actor who can nail the vocals as written.)
GENERAL GENGHIS KHAN SCHMITZ [Male identifying – open to all gender identities, all ethnicities, mid-30s to late-40s]
* Leader of the Whoville army; loud, commanding, intimidating; the very model of a Whoville Major-General.
* Seeking a comic actor with excellent timing; baritone register (B2 – E4)*. Good mover. Supporting.
(*Open to casting a female for a Trunchbull-esque flavor to the role.)
THE BIRD GIRLS [Female identifying, all ethnicities, early-20s – early-30s]
* An aerial Andrews sisters, three power house birds who act as a Greek chorus of sorts throughout the show but also participate in the action, especially as regards to Mayzie.
* Seeking three singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto) who can perform as soloists who also blend with each other and the ensemble; great comic timing. Dancers. Featured.
THE WICKERSHAM BROTHERS [Male identifying, all ethnicities, late-teens – early-30s]
* Bad boys of the jungle, usually up to high jinx and playground bully behavior.
* Seeking three singers (tenor, baritone, and an excellent bass) with physical agility. **Certain tracks may allow for doubling of other roles (including, but not limited to: Grinch, Mr. Mayor, Yertle the Turtle).** Great movers. Featured.
ENSEMBLE. [All gender identities, all ethnicities, any age]
* Ensemble to populate different groups including citizens of the Jungle of Nool, Whos in Whoville, Things, and circus creatures. Some featured roles (including, but not limited to: Grinch, Yertle the Turtle, Vlad Vladikoff, the Elephant-Bird) may be drawn from the Ensemble. Seeking comic actors of all ages with excellent voices to handle the singing and movement requirements of this demanding show. Good-Great movers. Ensemble
CAMEO ROLES (Played by ensemble actors or combined with other featured tracks.)
* The Grinch (A♭2 – G♭3): No longer mean and nasty, he’s adapted his holiday high jinx for the stage and presents his tale annually for the Whoville Christmas exercises; a hammy actor.
* Yertle the Turtle (F2 – F4): Judge Yertle the Turtle presides over the kangaroo court in the Jungle of Nool; an old doddery turtle who still has some bite and snap.
* Vlad Vladikoff (N/A): The black-bottomed menace of the Jungle of Nool.
* The Elephant-Bird (N/A): A hatchling from Mayzie’s egg which Horton has safe-guarded for half the show.
Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) is a premier regional musical theater company bringing numerous genres to life including musical theater, opera and operetta. They offer innovative and reimagined productions led by exceptional singer actors and orchestral musicians. They aim to inspire audiences with accessible and entertaining productions that enrich the cultural life of our region.
