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Review
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2003)
by The Old Globe

Shawn Moriah Sullivan and David BrannenThe Cat in the Hat,
Might be packing ‘em in,
But Seuss’s Grinch is a cinch,
That your heart it will win.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is back,
Now for its sixth straight year running,
With the Grinch again trying so hard to steal,
All of our Christmases from coming!

A brand new Grinch is lurking up in the snow,
And putting on an unbelievably funny show.
It’s our own David Brannen,
A comic genius in his greenish hairdo,
Making the Grinchiest Grinch ever.
You must believe me – it’s true!

Narrating this beloved holiday tale,
Is the Grinch’s old dog Max,
Turning his memories into the present,
As he gives us just the facts.

These facts come to life,
Within John Lee Beatty’s incredible sets
That look just like the book,
But in 3-D and a bit bigger, I guess.
From the top of Mt. Crumpet,
To the singing Who puppets!

The Whos are all decked,
In Robert Morgan’s creative outfits,
Adding much to the view,
Of all the lively festive glitz.

Within those fun clothes,
Are some of our best local actors,
Causing peals of giddy laughter,
Rising right through the Globe’s rafters.

They might make us laugh,
But they put the Grinch in a stew,
That is, all except one,
Namely little Cindy Lou,
Who was no more than two.

It’s six-year-old Shawn Sullivan,
As the absolutely adorable Cindy Lou,
Bringing such enthusiasm and charm,
To warm any man, woman, or Grinch down to his shoe.

So take a pause from your shopping,
And come out to the show,
Bring your whole Who family,
And leave with a rich holiday glow.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill

~ Cast ~

Old Max: Ken Page
Cindy-Lou Who: Shawn Sullivan -or- Natalie Verhulst
Mama Who: Melinda Gilb
J.P. Who: Steve Gunderson
Grandma Who: Eileen Bowman
Grandpa Seth Who: Robert MacAulay
Boo Who: David Cabinian
Annie Who: Jennica Vargas
Danny Who: Nicholas Felizardo
Betty-Lou Who: Alexa Haley Bergman -or- Mary Frances McClay

Grown-up Whos:
Alex Apostolidis
Danielle Forsgren
Phil Johnson
Warren G. Nolan, Jr.
James Vasquez
Jessa Watson

Little Whos:
~ White Group ~
Ari Lerner
Joy Newbegin
Anna Strickland
Kathleen Sullivan

~ Pink Group ~
Gina Holslag
Caroline Hyatt
Steven Jones
Rebecca Lauren Myers

~ Red Group ~
Corey Hable
Anita Deshea Lewis
Shanna McCue
Joy Newbegin

Young Max: Rusty Ross
The Grinch: David Brannen

Director: Jack O'Brien
Book and Lyrics By: Timothy Mason
Music By: Mel Marvin
Musical Director: Jay Alger
Choreographer: John DeLuca
Costume Designer: Robert Morgan
Scenic Designer: John Lee Beatty
Lighting Designer: Pat Collins
Stage Manager: D. Adams
Sound Designer: Paul Peterson (based on original design by Jeff Ladman)

Additional production support provided by Audrey S. Geisel, Dr. Seuss Fund, San Diego Community Foundation.
Based on the story by Dr. Theodore Seuss Geisel.