I think of linguistic pitter-patter and gawky yet cuddly visuals. The surrealism of Seuss captivates kids because of its slapstick innocence. The creators of Seussical think Seussian nonsense will appeal to those over the age of ten. But the cat in the hat isn't a Harry Potter. If you do not know the tales, chances are confusion will set in quickly.
Frustrated adults have to make due with watching dancers bump and grind.
The cat in the hat flits in and out as an emcee who attempts to add some vaudevillian spice to the proceedings. The problem is that Seussical doesn't add any comic bite or dramatic edge to the original tot-pleasing material. Worse, stretching out Seuss' material brings out the writer's preachy side. Children will have a pleasant time at Seussical, though I suspect even they will be disappointed with the show's lack of visual imagination. The staging needs more of the streaming colors and oddball panache of Seuss' images.