Young Artists of America, 2023
Seussical
Director’s Note
Welcome to Young Artists of America's production of Seussical the Musical. We enthusiastically present this whimsical and thought-provoking voyage into the extraordinary world of Dr. Seuss, as his canon collides with Gen Z.
In this imaginative tale, we encounter two divergent thinkers, Horton the Elephant and Jojo the Who, who challenge the norms of their respective communities in their unique approaches to life. Others often dismiss, criticize, and even shame Horton and Jojo as a means to encourage conformity, driven by their fear of change. This dynamic may feel familiar in the midst of heated political landscapes, generational divisions, and cancel culture that pervades our reality.
To emphasize these parallels, our production of Seussical aligns these themes with contemporary archetypes in today's US American culture. In the Jungle of Nool, you'll meet characters who mirror the content creators and celebrities we see across various platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Discord. Much like social media influencers, these characters navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fame, creativity, and self-expression as they vie for everyone's attention.
On the other side, we have the Whos of Whoville, who hold dear their town's rich traditions and history. However, as they float out of control on their dust speck of a planet, they face political, environmental, and infrastructural challenges that threaten their survival. These looming complications are all too real for Whoville, just as they are for many communities in our society today
These parallels between the whimsical world of Seuss and our own highlight a crucial lesson: communities can only truly grow and thrive when they embrace every thinker, especially those who think outside convention. These individuals bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to age-old problems. Today, more than ever, these activists and thought leaders often include youth. From Greta Thunberg to Little Miss Flint to the students of March for Our Lives, these outspoken young thinkers have passionately committed themselves to making the world more habitable, kind, and peaceful for all.
We hope this Seussical inspires you to celebrate and support the diverse and divergent voices striving to create the kind of future where every person is recognized as a person, “no matter how small”. After all, it's in the unlikeliest places and from the most imaginative “thinks” that we often find the seeds of positive change.
Director’s Concept Presentation
Having previously directed Seussical, Jr. for Young Artists of America back in 2018, I wanted to ensure that this production felt unique and modern. As I listened to the soundtrack while preparing my approach, I was struck listening to “Alone in the Universe”. This song, which I had heard dozens of times previously, suddenly took on new meaning in a post-pandemic world. Having researched youth social media performance and activism during my masters program, I began to imagine what YAA’s production might look like if we stepped outside of the traditional approach to Seussical and came at it from a more relevant lens for our company.
