Seussical?

[M.Wrenn]

Hey guys, I need a little help with a decision.
So my high school is putting on a production of Seussical the Musical and my band director has asked me to play bass (which I believe would be split between bg & db, I play both) for it. I've never seen the show so I don't know the music nor can I really judge its quality.
So my question is: do you think committing to this and giving up a fairly large amount of my time for the next few months to play in this musical would be worth it? I don't want to judge a book by it's cover but from the title it seems like this show might be kind of lame.

Also if anybody has other information about the bass book for this show that would also be greatly appreciate.

Thanks guys, lemme hear your thoughts

[gjbassist]

I've seen it. It is a fun show! Both my kids are very involved in theater so I go to a lot of shows. My wife and I also help out with props on some of my daughter's shows. It can be very time consuming but it is also rewarding. If you like theater at all then I would say go for it. It would be something different and a possible learning experience musically.

[M.Wrenn]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

I've seen it. It is a fun show! Both my kids are very involved in theater so I go to a lot of shows. My wife and I also help out with props on some of my daughter's shows. It can be very time consuming but it is also rewarding. If you like theater at all then I would say go for it. It would be something different and a possible learning experience musically.

Thanks gj. I've done a fair amount of musical theater in the past so I'm well aware of the time commitment, and how rewarding it can be. I agree that it will probably be a learning experience if I do it, I just want to make sure I'll at least enjoy the music, but if you say it's a fun show, I'll take your word for it.

[Rudreax]

Haha, I'm doing this show on bass in the spring.

It's hard to say. Being in the pit can be fun if you're the kind of person that enjoys long, constant rehearsals. You'll learn a bit from doing it (reading music over and over and over again, for one thing). So, opportunity-wise it could be fun.

Not sure what to say about the quality of the musical itself though. I've asked several people who have been actors in previous productions of it; opinion is usually sharply divided between total love and total hate. The music also apparently isn't particularly exciting.

I'd say do it if you want to experience it, but take the experience with a grain of salt.

[M.Wrenn]

Originally Posted by Rudreax

The music also apparently isn't particularly exciting.

I'd say do it if you want to experience it, but take the experience with a grain of salt.

That's what I was worried about. I guess I could deal with that since I'll be with a bunch of close friends. Worst case scenario we can just complain about it before and after rehearsals.

Thanks

[iamlowsound]

It is a cool musical, although I am a huge fan of both Dr Seuss and musical theater.

lowsound

[WalterBush]

I've done Seussical. It wasn't what I would call challenging musically, but the show itself was fun. A lot depends on the group of actors and the director, obviously; in our case they involved the pit orchestra as part of the show for a few sight-gags.

There's a lot of room for improv in the Cat's character, and the actress playing the Cat in the Hat liked to mess with the conductor. The last night of the show, she conducted us while we completely ignored the director for the intermission music. Tons of fun. Of course, YMMV, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[M.Wrenn]

Originally Posted by WalterBush

I've done Seussical. It wasn't what I would call challenging musically, but the show itself was fun. A lot depends on the group of actors and the director, obviously; in our case they involved the pit orchestra as part of the show for a few sight-gags.

There's a lot of room for improv in the Cat's character, and the actress playing the Cat in the Hat liked to mess with the conductor. The last night of the show, she conducted us while we completely ignored the director for the intermission music. Tons of fun. Of course, YMMV, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

That actually sounds like fun. I think I'll talk to my band director and get a little more info on the show.

thanks guys