It's Good

It's good

The Lorax Musical Rewrite: Act 1, Scene 1

Look, just assume that for this first scene, everyone is singing unless indicated otherwise. Also, listen to “Thneedville (Demo)” before reading, so you can know what they are actually singing. Btw, I didn’t write the song, I just planned out the stage directions and other details not related to lyrics.

Act 1, Scene 1:

Setting: Thneedville

(Lights slowly go up on an empty stage as the beginning of “Thneedville (Demo)” starts playing. On stage are the buildings and streets of Thneedville, or at least the basics. All the buildings are broken and crumbled, and everything is a slightly bleak color)

Ensemble

In Thneedville

It’s a brand new day

(As the ensemble begins to sing, they gradually enter the stage, acting out daily life. All are dressed in far too many clothes, and some are holding shopping bags filled to the brim with random objects)

Ensemble

Can’t see the sun

But we like it that way

(Ensemble pauses what they are doing before turning their heads towards the audience)

Ensemble

Here in Get-More-Than-We-Need-Ville

(All go back to what they were doing)

Ensemble

In Thneedville

Where the buildings are broke

(Where the buildings are broke)

And the streetlights drop

And the chemicals flow

Little Girl

(Standing front center stage) I just went swimming, and now I glow! (Runs offstage)

Ensemble

(All put their hands on over their hearts and face towards audience) Just one place has stayed the same

The hill that bares our founder’s name

A tradition we maintain

Random Man

Soon to become a pizza chain!

Ensemble

Pizza chain!

Pizza chain!

(Everyone goes back to what they were doing before Mr. O’Hare enters from upstage right and walks grandly over to upstage center, followed by a bodyguard. All turn to Mr. O’Hare)

Ensemble

(Cheerfully) Oh look it’s Aloysius O’Hare (Aloysius O’Hare)

The man who

Bottle up fresh air

And became a zillionaire!

(All lights on stage go off except for a spotlight on O’Hare, who has walked to center stage)

O’Hare

(To audience, as though telling a secret) Everyone round here works for me

I sell them something they should get for free

We’ll live in perfect harmony!

(All stage lights come back up and all surround O’Hare)

Ensemble

In Thneedville!

In Thneedville!

Hip hooray! Hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!

(All stage lights begin to go dark with the cast exiting the stage as a spotlight lands far downstage left, and Ted comes onstage to stand under the spotlight. Ted addresses audience for the rest of the song)

Ted

All I ever wanted is a whose-it

I would never flaunt it

Oh how I’d use it

Everybody has one

Like Jared and Julie and Jim

And even Ronald Shnook has one

And nobody’s lamer than him

(Lovingly) And I would play with it all day (Play with all day)

And never ever lose it (Never lose it)

Cause all I’ve ever wanted is a whose-it

(Hesitates) Except-

(Runs to downstage center, spotlight following him)

For the time that I wanted a scooter

A cell phone, a trombone, a laptop computer

A sports car, an SUV, robot that looks like me

A broadsword, a surfboard, a gas powered sled

Little pet monkey that danced on my head!

But this!

This is totally different!

Cause all I’ve ever wanted in my life

Is the stuff that I

Don’t have

(Stage lights come back up as the ensemble re enters stage and dance their instructed choreography. Ted doesn’t join them, instead staying in place as he looks straight at the audience or slightly upwards, depending on director’s instructions)

Ensemble

In Thneedville, it’s a brand new day!

Ted

All I ever wanted is the stuff that I don’t have!

Ensemble

Can’t see the sun

But we like it that way!

Here in Get-More-Than-We-Need-Ville!

Ted

Want it terribly!

Ensemble

In Thneedville!

Ted

Want it horribly!

Ensemble

You’re never alone

Ted

All I ever wanted is the stuff that I don’t have!

Ensemble

Because you always

Got the stuff that you own

Ted

Where is the stuff that I

Haven’t had?

Ensemble

Here in Spend-Until-You-Bleed-Ville!

Growing-Like-A-Weed-Ville!

Please-Don’t-Mention-Greed-Ville!

We’re happy here in

Thneedville!