The Lorax (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Lorax
Promotional image for production, featuring puppet of The Lorax
Music	Charlie Fink
Lyrics	Charlie Fink
Book	David Greig
Basis	The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Productions	2015 London

The Lorax is a fun stage play based on the famous children's book by Dr. Seuss. It was written for the stage by David Greig. The show also features catchy songs by Charlie Fink. This musical brings the important story of the Lorax to life. It first opened in London in 2015.

About the Performances

London Performances

In April 2015, news came out about a new stage show. It was going to be an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. The play was planned for Christmas at The Old Vic theatre in London. This was part of Matthew Warchus' first season as the artistic director. David Greig adapted the story. Max Webster directed the show.

The play started on December 4, 2015. It ran until January 16, 2016. Many talented people worked on the show. Charlie Fink, from the band Noah and the Whale, wrote the music and lyrics. Drew McOnie created the dances. Rob Howell designed the sets and costumes. John Clark handled the lighting. Tom Gibbons was in charge of sound. Phil Bateman was the musical director. Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell designed the amazing puppets. Simon Lipkin played the voice of 'The Lorax'. Laura Cubitt and Ben Thompson helped bring the puppet to life. Simon Paisley Day played 'The Once-ler'.

The show was so popular it came back to The Old Vic. It played for three weeks. This return run was from October 15 to November 7, 2017.

North American Tour

After its success in London, The Lorax musical traveled. It went to the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada. The show played there from December 9, 2017, to January 21, 2018.

Following the Toronto performances, the show moved to the United States. It played at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. These shows ran from April 17 to June 10, 2018. Then, it went to the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It was performed there from July 3 to August 12, 2018.

What the Story is About

Act One: The Beginning of the Thneed Business

The story starts on a dull street. Here lives the Once-ler in a lonely house. Nearby is a broken statue of the Lorax. The word 'unless' is carved into it. A curious kid wants to know about the Lorax. The very old Once-ler agrees to tell his story for a fee ("Life is Tough").

The Once-ler begins his tale. He grew up in a family that ran a mill. But he loved to dream of new inventions. His family was poor. They even rented out his room. So, the Once-ler decided to leave home. He wanted to find his own success. He dreamed of becoming rich with just one great idea ("I Could Be a Great Man").

He arrived in a beautiful place called Paradise Valley. He was amazed by all the new sights. He started to work on his invention. He cut down a Truffula tree. Suddenly, the Lorax appeared. The Lorax speaks for the trees. He was very angry about the cut tree. The Once-ler explained he was making a "thneed." The Lorax thought it was useless ("It's a Thneed"). The Lorax showed him the valley's beauty. He explained that everything needed was already there ("Everything You Need’s Right Here").

The Lorax then left for his summer break. He planted a new Truffula tree seed. The Once-ler started to think his thneed idea was silly. But then, a businessman bought one! This made the Once-ler excited. He quickly started a thneed business. He invited his family to join him. They set up a thneed knitting factory. Everyone was thrilled about getting rich ("When We Get Rich").

The Lorax returned to a shocking sight. Half the forest was gone! He confronted the Once-ler. The Lorax argued that animals needed the trees to live. They agreed to cut trees only in "Once-ler Nook." Soon, the factory ran out of trees. The Once-ler first said they must stop. But his family and the town pushed him. They wanted him to keep going. They cut down other trees in the valley ("Great Man").

They reminded him of his promise to make them rich. They convinced him he would become powerful. As a compromise, the Once-ler created a nature reserve. The Lorax hated this idea. He was upset about the pollution. It was killing the animals. He just wanted the forest to return to normal. Instead of stopping, the Once-ler made a "super axe hacker." This machine cut trees even faster ("Super Axe Hacker").

Act Two: The Fight for the Trees

Two factory workers opened the factory. Meanwhile, the Lorax snuck inside. He brought the forest animals with him. They started a protest to save the trees. A TV news crew arrived to report it. The Once-ler tried to impress the reporter, Samelore. He showed off his machines. But the Lorax exposed the factory's pollution. He showed how it hurt the wildlife ("We Are One").

The Once-ler started to apologize on TV. He almost agreed to shut the factory. But then, he announced a new thneed version. This made it even more popular ("Thneed 2.0"). The Lorax sat alone on a tree stump. He watched all the animals leave the area. The Once-ler went to visit him. He asked if they could still be friends. The Lorax said he was leaving. The forest was gone. He left the Once-ler with one word: "unless." At that moment, the last Truffula tree was cut down.

The Once-ler’s family packed their things. They left along with the rest of the town ("When We Get Rich" (reprise)). The Once-ler was left completely alone. The story seemed to end there. The kid listening to the story said it couldn't be the end. She wanted to know what "unless" meant. The old Once-ler had thought about it for years. He didn't understand. He couldn't think of a way to bring the Lorax back. There was no forest left.

The kid had an idea. They needed to plant a new Truffula tree. The Once-ler said it wouldn't work without a Lorax. But the kid convinced him to try. She planted the seed. She watered it and waited. Finally, it began to grow ("Take It Wherever You Go"). The Once-ler was thrilled. The kid asked if the Lorax would come back now. They finally realized what "Lorax" meant. It's anyone who cares for trees. The Lorax's last word meant that nothing will get better. Not unless someone like the kid cares enough. They must protect trees and keep planting ("Take It Wherever You Go" (reprise)).

Songs in the Show