Theater Review: DR. SEUSS’S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (The Old Globe)

For the 27th year The Old Globe is presenting its hit musical Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, continuing its position as one of the essential entertainment attractions of the holiday season. Youngsters and adults will love it for the same reasons. It tells a great story and the production is a creative joy.

The Company

Grinch is based on a 1957 children’s book by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel). It tells in the author’s inimitable rhyming verse how a nasty creature of indeterminate breed called the Grinch decides to ruin the Christmas holiday for the peaceful community of Whoville out of pure malice. It gives away nothing to report that the story ends with a happy and uplifting conclusion that provides a Merry Christmas to all, including the villain.

Andrew Polec as The Grinch and Tommy Martinez as Young Max

The Old Globe is a theatrical extravaganza. The cast of adult and youthful performers number in the dozens. The youngsters are divided into a Pink Team and a Red Team, with alternating performances. Their success is a testimony to the depth of young acting talent in the area. The costumes are delightfully garish and the lighting and special effects dazzle. The show runs 85 minutes without an intermission and surges along with unbroken high energy.

 Andrew Polec as The Grinch and Tommy Martinez as Young Max

Andrew Polec returns for the fourth time as the Grinch, outfitted in green makeup and a green costume that looks like a leafy evergreen tree. Polec’s Grinch is the motor that drives the show with his boundless energy, belting singing voice, and droll sense of humor that connects throughout the show with the spectators. He is supported by a fun group of Whoville residents of various age brackets: Xavier Reyes as Papa Who; Ariella Kvashny as Mama Who; Larry Ruben as Grandpa Who; and Bets Malone as Grandma Who. The scene stealer of the show, at my performance, is petite young Arden Johnson as Cindy-Lou Who. David Michael-Garry plays Max, the Grinch’s pet dog in old age and the show narrator, with Tommy Martinez as an athletic young Max.

David Michael Garry as Old Max

A group of designers has poured their theatricality and imagination into the knockout look and sound of the production, including numerous special effects like a silhouetted sleigh soaring over a darkened stage and groups of miniature puppets against the horizon. They include John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Robert Morgan (costume design), Pat Collins (lighting), and Melanie Chen Cole (sound design).

The Company

On the musical side, cheers to John Deluca for original choreography and Bob Richards for additional choreography, and Elan McMahan for directing the solid small orchestra. And pulling together all the performing and design moving parts is director James Vásquez in what may be the best work he has done at the Globe. The audience included a high percentage of youngsters. Their complete attention during the uninterrupted performance is the best testimony to their viewing experience. Grinch may be categorized as a children’s work, but the standing ovation at the end of the show emerged loudly from the adult viewers as well. Grinch about that.

photos by Rich Soublet II