Stage name: Josh Ramirez
Character: Who Boy 2 / Hunter / Jungle Animal
Country / Year / Production: Philippines / 2011 / Repertory Philippines
What's Seussical really about?
Seussical is really a story of a boy named Jojo who created the whole world of Seuss in his mind. He is taught by the Cat in the Hat that it's important to use your imagination and no matter how small a person is, or no matter how different a person may be, we are all the same. We are one. The theme of friendship is very obvious in the story, especially between Jojo and Horton the Elephant.
Who are you in the play? What did you learn from your character?
I play the role of Who Boy 2, a Hunter and a Jungle animal. For the Who Boy, I learned how to be very small, hahaha, of course because the Who's are small to begin with so I tried to think as small as I can, plus be very very cheerful. As a hunter I learned how to be strong and very convincing to look for the elephant. Last but not least, the Jungle animal, according to our Choreographer we had to be child-like and think of different kinds of animals and I have tried many animals by now, from cheetah to peacock to snake.
Learned anything from the play?
The most important thing I learned from the show is that our dreams and our imagination are important and that anything is possible!
What's the audience saying?
We have been getting great responses and reviews. My family loved the show so much that they want to watch it again! It really is a great show! Alot of the grown ups could actually relate to the characters and situations in the play, not just the kids.
Did you put much of yourself into the character?
Oh yes, no question! I put alot of myself especially in my Jungle animal character. Sassy and sexy and at the same time crazy and strong! Hahaha.
How was the rehearsing process?
At first it was hard to get the choreography, because it was very organic, we really had to find movements that were not cliche and had to be out of this world-childlike movements. The songs were hard in the beginning, especially because I sing the tenor notes, but now it's actually a breeze, unless it is a morning show then I really have to vocalize!
As the lyrics say... Is anything possible?
No doubt. Anything is truly possible!
- Interview