Oh, the Thinks you can think {Review of Seussical the Musical}

Ever since Angel was a toddler, we've owned a set of books by Dr. Seuss which includes titles like Crazy Colours, Silly Opposites and Wacky Weather. I remember my first impression of the books was that they were unlike any other educational children books I knew and if I had to describe them in three words, I would use quirky, outlandish and fascinating.  

Now that Angel has grown older, we have passed this set of books to the little sister while she herself progresses onto reading some of the famous titles like The Cat in The Hat, Horton Hatches the Egg and the very first book by Dr. Seuss - And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street.

I have to admit that although I can understand most, or perhaps just some, of the stories, there is also a handful that continues to baffle and bemuse me. While I like the way the words rhyme, some of the meanings behind them, if there are any, just stumps me up to this day.

But you know what is the surprising thing? My girls seem to totally like many of the books and I even see the big sister reading to the little one when they have a moment to spare at home. Awwwww. So, when I told them that we were going to the opening show of Seussical the Musical, I guess it was natural that they jumped for joy and couldn't wait for this day to come.

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Show Synopsis

Direct from the UK tour, ABA Productions and Diva Productions proudly presents Seussical the Musical! The fantastical, bombastical and songtastical world of Dr. Seuss, one of the most celebrated children's book authors, comes live on stage at the Esplanade Theatre!

Featuring a spectacular compilation of whimsical elements, characters and delightful verses from some of Dr. Seuss classics – Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat – it's time to let your toes tap, your fingers snap, and fire up your imagination in the world of Dr. Seuss.

Follow the adventures of Horton the Elephant who discovers a small world floating by on a tiny speck of dust. This small world is floating out of control through the universe and is the home of the Whos, including Jojo – a Who with “Things” that defy all description. Between them, they must find a way to save Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers.

But Horton faces a double challenge, he’s been left alone to guard an abandoned egg, abandoned by none other than Mayzie La Bird! Caught between a dust speck and his incubating egg, Horton is truly alone in the universe, but while he faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and ends up on trial, little does he know the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.

While the kind-hearted Horton tries to protect the speck of dust and the Whos who live on it, look out for Cat in the Hat, the zany narrator who peppers the musical with his endless tricks, and witty, thought-provoking commentary.

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Considering that this was a show that lasted 75 minutes with no interval, I was initially worried if the kids would be able to sit through it all. Thanks to the high energy dancing, captivating singing and brilliant choreography, we were kept entertained throughout the show. I personally loved the stage setup which even included a slide and the use of props like the golden egg and the winter snow.

For the kids to better connect with the characters and understand the plot, I would definitely recommend that you read through some of the books with them beforehand and let them have a sense of familiarity. For instance, we had read Horton Hatches the Egg and Angel was really excited when she saw Horton protecting Mayzie's egg and she was looking forward to the egg hatching! (Psss, just to keep the suspense, I'm going to let what's inside the egg remain a secret!)

The girls' favourite book of all has to be The Cat in the Hat and I have lost count of how many times they have read it already. So, it wasn't a surprise to know that they loved him best in the musical since he was so fun-loving, wacky and comical too! For me, I liked The Cat but I also adored Horton, the kind, gentle and loving elephant who cared for everyone, no matter how small, and he always, always kept his word. "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant... An elephant's faithful, One hundred percent!" Yup, I simply loved that line. People should aspire to be like that too, don't you think so? To be absolutely faithful, true to our word and keep our promises. Always.

While this show is targeted for children aged five and above, if you have younger kids like mine who are into singing and dancing, then this musical will be a treat for the whole family. If you are a fan of Dr. Seuss books, then don't miss this for the world! Did you know? Dr. Seuss was not a real doctor. His real name was Theodor Geisel. If he were alive today, he would be 109!

Lastly, I really like how the musical, similar to the books by Dr. Seuss, encourage children to use their imagination and think outside the box. Just like the song that now keeps ringing in my mind after watching the performance, there are just so many Thinks we can think, so long as we are willing to try.

No matter how old or how young we are, let's never forget the power and the wonders of imagination.

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Seussical the Musical Event Details

Show Dates/Times

Nov 6,  Friday – 5pm

Nov 7, Saturday – 11am, 3pm

Nov 8, Sunday – 11am, 3pm

Venue

Esplanade Theatre

1 Esplanade Drive Singapore 038981

Duration

75 minutes with no interval

Ticket Pricing

Price ranges from $58 to $108. To book, visit SISTIC's website, go to any authorised SISTIC outlet or phone the hotline 6348 5555.

Admission Rules

- There is no minimum age for this performance and all audience members must have their own ticket.

- Infant in arms are not allowed.

- Latecomers will not be admitted until a suitable break during the performance.

For more information, check out ABA Productions official website or their Facebook page.

Disclosure: We received a media invite to the opening show of Seussical the Musical. Images are provided by ABA Productions. All opinions are our own.