CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
The production staff is looking for members of a youthful cast (ages 17-40, approximately) that is strong in ensemble
work. We have no real ages in mind for any of the characters (except for JoJo, as described below) but are looking to
cast the show relatively consistent in age.
The Cat in the Hat (Male – baritone or Female – alto)
The cat is the narrator of the show and its master of ceremonies. He (or she) is rambunctious, comedic, and a
dreamer. The actor playing the Cat should be a strong physical comedian, very athletic, and confident in his or her
improvisational abilities. (Much of the comedy of the cat will be molded to the actor playing that role.) While the cat’s
singing is not difficult, the Cat’s songs need to be performed with great joy and comedy.
Horton (Male - baritone)
Horton, the elephant, is the emotional center of the show. He is modest and responsible and is committed to doing the
right thing. He is not self conscious and is very happy with his life. The role of Horton requires strong singing and
acting but requires relatively little dancing. While Horton is typically cast as slightly “rotund,” that is not necessary here.
He should simply appear modest, just like a blue collar guy who lives next door.
Gertrude McFuzz (Female – high alto)
Gertrude is a very self-conscious bird and is afraid that her one feathered tail is not good enough. However,
throughout the show, Gertrude changes from a neurotic, nervous, and shy bird into one with the power to protect and
care for a baby elephant bird and commit herself to Horton. Along with Horton, Gertrude is the heart of the show.
Mayzie LaBird (Female – belting alto)
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. However, 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. The actress playing Mayzie should have a strong voice and a real flare for the theatrical. This is a real
“show-off” role.
JoJo (male – tenor, female – alto)
JoJo is a "Thinker" - a smart child with a wild imagination. He or she can be played as being a little bit awkward, a little
bit of a loner, or simply a rambunctious kid whose 'Thinks' get him or her into constant trouble. We would prefer to cast
this role with a young teenage boy or girl (or an actor or actress who can pass for young). Because of the size and
importance of this role, it requires a young person with a real sense of confidence, a strong voice, and the desire to
work hard.
General Genghis Khan Schmitz (Male - baritone)
General Schmitz is the headmaster of the military academy to which the Mayor sends his son, JoJo. He believes he is
improving these boys and is proud of his beliefs. He is not sadistic, mean or abusive. He is definitely a comic character
because it's clear he's so misguided. Please don't play him as a villain or bully. He is clearly a caricature.
Sour Kangaroo (Female – belting alto)
The Sour Kangaroo has a loud brassy personality. She is stuck in her ways and criticizes anyone and everyone who
thinks differently than she does. That being said, she isn't really bad or mean; she's just got a lot of attitude. The
actress playing the kangaroo needs to have a powerhouse voice and a presence that demands the audience to look at
her. Again, while she is usually played by a larger actress, this is not necessary here. I can see the Kangaroo played
by a Aretha Franklin type (as she was on Broadway), as a know-it-all teenager, or even as a crotchety older woman.
The Wickersham Brothers (Three males – one low bass, one baritone, one tenor)
The Wickersham’s are three mischievous young guys who like to tease and taunt all of the other jungle animals. They
think they are cool and believe that the only way to be “cool” is at other people’s expenses. They think they rule the
jungle and appear to have all the confidence in the world. The Wickersham’s should be strong dancers and singers
and should be prepared to create individual characters with little guidance from the script.
The Bird Girls (Three Females – one alto, one mezzo, one soprano)
These girls are confident, sassy, and sexy. They are like a girl group of the jungle. They should be very strong singers
and dancers. You can think of them as “followers.” Even though they definitely feel for Horton and Gertrude, they
emulate Mayzie when they think it will help them out.
Mr and Mrs. Mayor (Mr. Mayor – baritone, Mrs. Mayor – alto)
Mr. and Mrs. Mayor are JoJo’s parents and are desperately trying to do the right thing with JoJo. They love him and
want to encourage him, but they also want him to fit in better. They also clearly worry about how JoJo’s “bad” behavior
reflects on them in the community. These characters are quirky and can really steal the show. Imagine them as a mix
between “Leave it to Beaver” and a Tim Burton movie.
We will also be casting a youthful ensemble of approximately eight actors to play all other characters in the show. The
ensemble will be featured in a dozen numbers, so the ensemble will be working hard and very much featured. Being in
the ensemble in this show will be high energy and high visibility.