<p>We saw Seussical on a national tour last March, and then my D was Gertrude McFuzz in a local production last summer/fall. Neither one was what I would call a dance heavy show (my D is a dancer, but danced very little as Gertrude) although they were each done a bit differently (director's vision I suppose). Actually, she was in Oklahoma with the same director and it was much more dance heavy. Even Annie and Hello Dolly which she also did with the same director were more dancing shows. It is certainly bright and colorful and charming, but not really a dancer show when we've seen it.</p>
<p>Wnydancemom,</p>
<p>Now that makes sense. Truly, all things are relative.........
I know they are also pleased because they think it will be a large cast (@40 they are saying). Any chance to get themselves on a stage is welcomed!!</p>
<p>Amen to that, theatermom!</p>
<p>I think I know more about this show than I ever wanted to....lol.
Really it is a great, great show that lends itelself to a lot of creativitiy and personal choices by the director/choreographer.
A little background... step 1
D1 at Tisch directed and choregoraphed this show before it was available through MTI. The student run GAP shows at NYU are challenging to be approved. You do a presentation to a board about 6 months before the show would run. In that presentation, you have to have your entire production company ready and present your personal "vision" of the show, etc... There is some funding and space given, so very few can be selected. Usually a maximum of 1 to 2 musicals are selected each semester. She was selected pending rights from MTI.... only they were not available for another 6 to 9 months. So she contacted a former cast member (of Seussical) that was currently performing in wicked (just opening). He had been in the show from its conception and was extremely knowledgable and helpful in describing its evolution. She then contacted Lynn Ahrens, who was then instrumental in getting MTI to give her the rights even though it was still on tour.</p>
<p>step 2
D1 kept in touch with the previous cast member as well as Lynn Ahrens for consulting. One of the goals of my d as well as Tisch, is to not just copy a production as seen or performed on Broadway, but to add some other level of content/creativity/format etc... This is the beauty of Seussical - it leaves a lot of opportunity for interpretaion. Think Joseph or Godspell - lots of different approaches to these shows... and the same can be said of Seussical.
We had seen it on Broadway and then on tour. The tour was better than the broadway show. This is one of those shows that had unbelievable success before they brought it to Broadway. The buzz was it was going to be the Tony winner .... and then the producers got crazy and took all the elegant simplicity and child /adult appeal right out of it (kind of Disneyfied it - but not in a better way). This info was communicated to my d by cast members, Ahrens and Flaherty, some of her teachers that had friends involved, etc...
Avenue Q, would be a good example of a similar show that did not go overboard in transition to Broadway and survived.
D has a lot of background in choreography, so in her version, there was a lot of staging and choreography. Typically, Horton and Gertrude really do not dance... but the Cat and Maizie have a lot of opportunity for dance - depending on the director/choreographer. The three bird girls (big featured parts) and the wickersham brothers are great parts for singer/dancers. It is one of those shows that can feature all styles (like the music), ie swing, hip-hop, soft shoe or tap, latin, partnering, jazz, etc.... which is how my d choose to do it. Also it is a great show that welcomes different strengths. All need to have good singing/harmonizing skills. The Newell (jungle) people can really be used as strong dancers. The "who" people should be great character actors, but don't necessarily need to be dancers.</p>
<p>step 3
Very, very successful show! Lynn Ahrens loved it so much that she wrote new lyrics about this specific NYU production to the tune of "how lucky you are" from the show and presented this to my d and the cast. She has also become my d's biggest promoter and mentor (HOW LUCKY SHE WAS!) In Ahrens and Flaherty's remarks on the MTI sight, they talk about how this show needs to stay "simple" in a quality way that keeps the "child" in all of us. They suggest keeping simple - costuming, sets and staging - but being creative in those areas. Recently Lynn Ahrens asked d for a video of her production (unfortunately, there is none) and then for some pics of the show. She was hoping to do a write up on d's production to include with the packages of rights being sent to customers. She was extremely excited about the use of some of the props and staging/choreography that d used. She told d that initially she was very concerned that people would "over-choreograph"and take it out of its element, but seeing it accomplished in a creative, visual way made her excited at all the future posssiblities. Some of d's approaches -
D had to do this in a small black-box, which was a great way to make it inter-active, ie..cast and audience drew clovers with chalk on the floor at the end of act 1 (BTW, Lynn Ahrens was out there drawing up a storm with a smile.) Because of limited space d had a caricature TV screen come down and frame the who's (combination of people and puppets). With dance she was able to incorporate alot of visual creativity into technique and multiple styles.ie.. a lot of lift /partnering in jungle scenes or using very large rubber-bands (like cats-cradle) with her cast as part of the travelling journey in "hunch". Im just trying to give a few examples of the kinds of things Ahren's loved about the show, and for those of you that have seen it - all the more you realize how different each production can be. WE have since seen several local productions since - all different, some successful and some not!</p>
<p>I'm sure UM (as all their productions) will have its own unique approach to this production. I believe you said that the director of the production is a also a dance teacher/choreographer? I do think that is the best duo for this type of show. I'm sure UM will capitalize on all aspects of this show and I know the students are going to love performing in it! Do let us know when it goes up.</p>
<p>One final bit of info. My d is currently studying in Prague. She has friends at RADA in London this semester. They are all meeting up in Venice after the semester ends and then on to Greece. The 4th person joining them is a UM mt student who was also at RADA and has been in conversations with her about Seussical! It is such a small world - I know recently there have been posts about net-working around the country - and so it continues around the world!</p>
<p>Studio7, I am really glad you shared this story about your daughter's production. First and foremost, I am entirely impressed by what your daughter did...the enormous undertaking, the creativity, the networking with those associated with Seussical. Secondly, I enjoyed reading it for another reason as I can see some parallels with your D's interests with my own daughter who is very into the creative process....creating shows, directing, choregraphing, conceptualizing, musical directing, and so forth. While she loves performing, she also loves this process (she even remarked to me yesterday how incredible it seems that Tisch has a graduate program in musical theater writing). While she has conceived and directed two student run musicals on the high school level, I think she would be very into doing this in college. She spoke with students at each of her prospective colleges about student run productions. I had heard of the GAP shows at Tisch. I hope my D meets your D at some point because I can tell that your D would be an inspiration. My D also LOVES Ahrens and Flaherty.....be it the music of Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year.....and to learn that your D had these contacts and such wonderful feedback from Ms. Ahrens is just an incredible story that I want to share with her (she is rehearsing for a recording at the moment in my living room). I will later. I think these kinds of activities at Tisch are inspiring and will help my D look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead there. If your D ever does another GAP show....we gotta see it and who knows, maybe my D will get involved somehow. Then again, isn't your D gonna be a senior? I guess that won't happen as freshmen are not allowed to be in productions their first year. But in any case, I hope my daughter meets yours at some point. They likely have a couple kids they know in common (D has several friends in CAP and other studios that are your D's age). </p>
<p>Also, I am glad to read about the study abroad stuff she is doing because that is another thing my daughter hopes to do in junior year at Tisch. She will be going abroad during winter break with Tisch University Scholars but wants to also do a semester overseas. </p>
<p>Again, thank you so much for sharing your D's incredible accomplishment and experiences. I only wish I had seen the production. I am quite familiar with Seussical, as my D has the CD and the score. Her theater program did it last summer but I did not catch the performance. As I said, my D has played Gertrude in a production of Gertrude McFuzz, not Seussical. </p>
<p>Your daughter sounds amazing.
Susan</p>
<p>I just wanted to pass on to you that since I posted to you earlier, I sent a copy of your post to my D in email and she told me that your D sounds incredible and that she HAS to meet her. I knew this to be true when I read your post because your D sounds so much like what my D is also into. She said that it all sounded very very cool. She thinks that your D's idea about the drawing of the clovers was "brilliant". She said this is exactly what she hopes to do while at Tisch (I mentioned to you that she has sort of done this kind of thing the past two years by her own initiative as well). She said she wants to do Merrily We Roll Along, something she considered doing here but instead chose to create a musical cabaret because a student run endeavor had never been tried here before. My D really really hopes to meet your D next year. I hope that can happen somehow. I am glad you shared this story and I am glad I passed it onto my D because I knew it was just up her alley. Many congratulations to your D for this achievement.</p>
<p>Susan,</p>
<p>You are the best! Always the kindest of words for EVERYONE, in spite of adversity. I didn't want to sound like I was bragging or getting to far off the subject....but people asked who had seen the show and who knew about the show? And that is the one show I do happen to know a lot about and felt that I couldn't do it justice without the background info. So I hope it was helpful to those with the questions.</p>
<p>Yes, the 2 girls similarities have surfaced on this forum many times. D1 wants to do it all! (yesterday!!??) I knew when your d picked NYU, it would be the right school for HER. It really does have so many of these opportunities for the kids that want them and are willing to go after them. My d would love to meet your d. She will be a senior, but she is not going anywhere after senior year. She is a permanent New Yorker, and will continue work or school, following undergrad. Since Seussical, she started her own theater company. Took classes to figure out how to do the non-profit stuff, etc. This group of Tisch students (made up of several studios) have put on two shows since and have also done theatre workshops in 3 different states, including one at Yale. (btw, helped pay for this extra travel in Europe - ya!). This summer, along with doing more workshops, two of the guys have written a musical that they will workshop in these cities and then bring some of the students to NYC to workshop it a week-end in September with NY actors. D will choreograph. Her company is always looking for people with "vision" and interest... so you never know, maybe your d will want to dive in after her first year! </p>
<p>She definitely should look into the GAP shows - she sounds perfect for it! D started planning her first year and presented it in the fall of her second year. We were told she was the only 2nd year cap student to attempt this and succeed. Also, d has found some great intern opportunities in some great off-broadway theatres that has really helped her develop some of these skills - (directing, production, performing - including writing interviews, critiques, etc. for their websites) This is something else I recommend!</p>
<p>The abroad opportunities are endless, which is great (but sometimes makes it hard to pick!) BTW, I read on the other forum some of the info you posted about the Tisch Scholars and some of their opportunities! What a wonderful thing for your d! I know you were probably a little hesitant to post it here. But let me congratulate her right now, what an honor and great opportunity! (AND she is only 16!!!) I'm glad I happen to catch that post.</p>
<p>Along with the girls meeting, I think many of us moms have to meet! We are up in the city a lot, so we should all keep our calendars up to date!</p>
<p>Studio7, this is just the kind of thing that a prospective student likes to learn about....inside happenings. So, thank you very much. Yes, my D loves to do every single thing you just posted about. She too choreographs. Ironically, she was coming from choreographing a tap dance for a dance troupe at her studio when she had her car accident last month. Anyway, with every school she looked into, we saw many pros. These "pros" varied from school to school (I could say the same with my other D's college selections too). And one thing about going to Tisch is that there are many things like this going on, as well as in the city itself. My D is into running a student production, after having done so the past two years. I mean her life is the stage but she also enjoys creating and leading. She is a writer too. While she surely will be making a go of her dream to do musical theater, I know that these other aspects are things she could also do, and loves to do. It is funny when you think back to how these things started. I know that this was written about on her nursery school report card, LOL. But I recall in the primary grades, her writing and directing a play and then in fourth and fifth grades being allowed to do independent studies which involved writing two full musicals, one was 90 pages typed, if I recall. I am just recalling this now as I am typing this post! But that part was always there too. </p>
<p>Your description about your D's theater company rings a bell in my mind, though I may be making a connection where there is none....but my daughter has a friend who is a third year CAP21 student (a girl she spent many summers with and still keep in touch....she is from Michigan and your D must know her) and this girl recently was talking of her own theater company too.....is it the same one? She mentioned something about doing the musical, Baby. I do not honestly know more than that. It truly sounds like there are many opportunities there and I think it is exciting to think about. </p>
<p>We have not talked much about the specific abroad opportunties but I just know both my kids want to do these in college. </p>
<p>With regard to being selected as a Tisch University Scholar.....we went to a luncheon for this....15 kids per year....met the deans and other faculty in charge of it, current Tisch Scholars as well. It was really wonderful sounding. They explained how they chose the kids they did for this....had to do with talent, academics, leadership and community service. They talked about taking kids who have initiative and drive. We never even knew there was such a program or selection til it came when she was in the hospital, oddly enough. But the more they explained it, it seemed like a great match for my daughter. The 70 scholars at Tisch meet every other Friday and there are speakers and shows they go to in the city, stuff like that. Often there is a theme....such as leadership in the arts. They talked about these kids as future leaders in the arts (sounds like your D!). And then each kid also does some form of community service project in the city to do with the arts each semester. This group of Scholars really bonds apparently as a group and there are various "perks" and a rapport with these faculty mentors as well. In freshmen year, the fifteen kids go over spring break to an arts community in Appalachia in Kentucky called Appalshop and the current students spoke about this life changing experience of working with these people in the arts there. Then over winter break in either soph or junior year, they travel to a foreign country (this year it was Viet Nam but has been places like Brazil, Cuba, Greece....they are looking into possibly going to Russia) and again, they work with those in the arts in that country. It just seemed so fascinating and an "extra" thing on top of the BFA program. It also is like a small "niche" in a bigger place, though the studio (CAP) is a niche too. </p>
<p>So, anyway, I hope my D gets to connect with yours because she would be so enlightened and inspired by someone she can look up to and where she is going with her life. </p>
<p>And yes, for us moms, I hope we all meet up there too. I don't know which state you live in, some place outside of NY? I won't have kids at home next year so I can come and go, LOL! And my mom lives in South Jersey...perhaps you live in that direction? </p>
<p>Your D sounds like a go getter and someone who initiates what she wants to do...and I definitely can see the similarities here. Your daughter is making a difference and I hope mine can do the same, particularly as she has been given this second chance at life to do it. Your D is inspiring to say the least. I'm glad I shared the story you wrote with my D cause she found it quite exciting to think about in relation to going to Tisch. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Studio 7,</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay in thanking you for the wonderful description of the potential of Seussical. I'm the one who asked for input from anyone who was really familiar with the show and I do appreciate your detailed and very interesting response and description of your D's fabulous experience producing (directing, choreographing....) this show. I'm sure that Linda Goodrich at UM will bring her own energy, sensibilities and enormous dance and choreographic talents to the show at UM. But what impresses me most in reading the description of her interpretation of the work (besides the incredible energy, creativity and drive that your D obviously brought to the project) is the degree to which the various productions of Seussical have been able to be "massaged" if you will, adapted to the vision of whoever is directing the show. To me, that says a lot about the raw material provided by the author(s)/composer(s)/lyricist(s). Apparently lots of food for thought there. Maybe not so surprising to anyone who has spent hours and hours as children or with children, reading the deceptively simple but remarkably rich books of Dr. Seuss. I am really looking forward to seeing what the talented folks at UM do with this show. Since you asked, it will go up in mid-April 2006. Thanks again for the terrific info!</p>
<p>On another note, I have to say that it appears that your D and SoozieVt's D seem like a potential match made in heaven. I must say that reading about all the activities and interests of these two young women always makes me want to go take a nap! ;) The energy of the young and creative should be harnessed and sold to those of us who really need it! Congrats to both of you on your D's varied talents and achievements.</p>
<p>Theatermom, it's cause they are young, not like US! LOL. One very odd thing for my daughter (and for me) is that she is used to going 24/7 with all her activities and now due to her accident is out of all of them but good 'ole school pretty much (which she went to all day yesterday and is trying again today). It is SOOOO unlike her usual life. </p>
<p>I must say that all these theater kids seem to live this sort of lifestyle....they all have school, various lessons/classes/activities outside the school day in the arts and other areas, AND are usually rehearsing a show at any given time. At least this is the case for kids who do not attend performing arts high schools where you have to fit in all of this outside the school day. They thrive on it (and we DRIVE on it, lol). But I do believe that when they get to these intensive BFA programs, they will already be used to a very full schedule and time management issues. When ya love what you do, it is not like work, ya know? I don't think my own kid is any different than most I know in this field or who are on this forum. We do have to travel more than some to do these things and that adds time (and parent involvement). But otherwise, all these kids are leading really full lives. </p>
<p>Also, as you know, the thing about Dr. Seuss's material is that while it appeals to children, there are so many layers to his words that it appeals to adults as well. My child has been involved in two productions of Seuss's work and the guy was a genius. I still have to see Seussical though. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I agree about our kids busy lives, but if age has taught me anything, it is the value of quiet time - I remember so vividly a time in 1st grade when we were still told to put our heads on our desks and take a 20 minute nap in the afternoon after lunch. We all groaned and moaned, wishing to be up and running around. How many times in my adulthood have I longed for that 20 minute nap every day!!!</p>
<p>I've tried very hard, with varying degrees of success, to make time in my own life for moments of stillness, of contemplation. It is during those moments that I recharge my batteries and often in those times the space is created for the next great idea or even just a simple but perhaps important insight. And sometimes it is just a time for there to be nothing happening. I have tried with my own kids and I hope we can all encourage our kids to see the value in taking time for these precious moments. They need to recognize when they need it and know that it is more than just okay, it is critically important to occasionally say "Stop the World! I Want to Get Off" ;)</p>
<p>Okay, I just read my last post and realize that I'm feeling a little like Jerry Maguire the morning after he distributed his "mission statement"............</p>
<p>Hope everyone understands my intent - not criticizing, just putting out food for thought........really.......</p>
<p>Don't worry, we don't think you are criticizing. Your post was wise as usual!</p>
<p>Now, my normally very busy daughter is having more "down time" than ever in her life....it is one extreme to another. </p>
<p>And don't worry either about your posts because most readers know that most posters on here have good will and good intentions. That is the beauty of this wonderful forum.</p>
<p>Theatermom,
I totaly agree with "Taking time to stop and smell the roses". We all have the potential to burn out. Some of us have much higher boiling points than others, but we all need that opportunity "to chill". Sometimes my d is a little hard to convince of that...but she does tend to take a llittle time off following some of these enormous projects. That is why this study abroad program has been great. D has mostly an academic course schedule this semester (with a Brecht class thrown in and a marionette wokshop she added on). Marionettes are very big in Prague! Aside from cutting herself a bit in the carving - she found it very relaxing. lol. The rest of the time she is travelling or spending time in the countryside and doing a lot of writing. She is not distracted by the everyday schedules she kept in NYC, so she really has been able to "step outside" a little and get a new perpective on things.
Thanks for the dates on Seussical. I have seen many UM productions and they are always FABULOUS! We have several family friends and actor friends that both d's have worked with that have come out of the program and are doing very exciting things.</p>
<p>Susan,
I love your thought, "they thrive and we DRIVE".<br>
My d was acting, singing and directing her younger sister and all her cousins since elementary school, folowing every family gathering. I can't believe your d's nursery school report card was already predicting her future!
I'm sure my d knows your friend from cap, but my d's theatre company is called "Slightly Askew" and since Seussical, she has directed the last two shows outside of Tisch at an off,off broadway theater. Both were what they call these "deconstructed" shows (take originals and re-work it to fit/ reflect the standards of today, etc. and then added music and choreography. There are 3 other cap kids involved specifically in the company but many others have performed in the shows. The other company members are a mix from several of the drama studios. Which is great - because in performance, direction and the teaching workshops, they are well represented in terms of acting styles/philosophies and of course there are some fabulous tech students in the company (the guy that does her sound has also worked several broadway venues).
I'm sure your d will thrive at Tisch...lot of avenues to explore!</p>
<p>Studio, all the things your D is doing sounds so inventive, creative and interesting and FUN...between the things abroad and then the her work with these other students in their own theater company! I'm sure your D knows this friend about whom I spoke (and others too). It just sounded a bit familiar with the "own theater company" part. My D says she does not know the name of the other girl's company, only that they are doing the show, Baby, this summer....so if that is not on your D's agenda, it is not the same of course. I also know a girl who used to be in CAP, like your D, and like her switched to Playwrights (is a senior) and does choreography. All these projects just sound very neat. Your D is clearly on her way in NY! </p>
<p>The "they thrive and we drive" comment was something that just came up as I was posting but so true, so true. Now that my D is on one leg, I'm back to driving cause she can't right now, though I was getting used to the first time in my life not being the taxi person cause she had just gotten her license. </p>
<p>The nursery school had narrative reports on the students and my daughter, if I recall, loved doing the little shows they would put on. She did her first professional production at age 4 1/2 (cause her sister was in it and she wanted to be real bad too) and the nursery school knew about that and how it just was something my D seemed to thrive on and little did we ever know back then what this all would become....it was merely just one extracurricular activity the kids had done. I guess it was the seed. And the narrative did have this little funny line about her being on Broadway some day and all I gotta say is, from nursery school report card to God's ears! ;-) Coincidentally, that same nursery school teacher called here the other day as she had heard of my D's accident (small town, and it was all over the news in our region) and I was telling her that my D is going to college next year for Musical Theater and well, she predicted it on her first "report card", lol. It is funny how things turn out!</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Susan, my D got the same thing on her preschool "report card," lol! And I'll bet they're not the only ones!</p>
<p>My D just did Seussical at school the past two weekends, her final HS musical -- waaahhh! I was less familiar with it than with any of the other shows she's been in, and it was such a wonderful surprise -- adorable, energetic, tons of familiar Seuss fun for little kids, lots of sly humor for teens and adults. It got such great buzz after the first weekend that their final performance (last Friday -- in our county it would be impossible to have a show on the first seder night!) sold out, 1,043 tickets! (yeah, it's a big school)</p>
<p>I can see that it's a show that leaves lots of room for creativity in direction, design, etc. At my D's school, at least for now, the greatest strength is singing, followed by acting and then dance. So they didn't do it as a dance-heavy show. The most "dancy" performers were the Wickershams, and they were really more acrobatic than purely dance. But as was also pointed out earlier, it's a show that allows for a big cast, which my D's school generally likes to do with its spring musical. (They do a smaller musical in the fall.) Seussical had a cast of 70!</p>