Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot…
But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville— did not!
Now Pasadena Theatre Company loves Christmas— the whole Christmas season
And everyone knows why— they have so many different reasons!
They’ve got the memory of Chuck Dick, the spirited glue of PTC
They’ve got friends, family, and loved ones— just like you and like me!
And I think you’ll be pleased— this holiday’s production is a cinch…
Can you guess it? Of course you can— it’s Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch!
Well, technically, it’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the full title is long
And the word ‘Christmas’ is really hard to rhyme and I don’t want to be wrong!
It’s a wonderful show— full of Whos, joy, and glee!
It’s the best way to start the Christmas season— it’s a show you must see!
They’ve got a whole team who have made this show a celebration—
Why, it’s Christmas come early in this exuberant Whobilation!
With Director Christy Stouffer, Musical Director Jamie O’Connor, and Pianist Richard Levine
The show becomes quite a dazzling and wonderful, musically theatrical Christmas scene.
Its storybook scenery created by Keith Norris and the cast
Looking just like the movie from Christmases long past.
And the set painting team (11 people— too many to list— check your program!) now see here, take a look!
They’ve made those backdrops turn— just like the pages of a book!
You go from bright colored houses in the Whoville downtown
To Mt. Crumpet and the Grinch’s cave all around.
But the best thing of all on the whole Christmas-y stage, you see—
Is the flip-spin-turn-around-shiny-two-sided Christmas tree!
It’s all decked up and festively festooned with shiny ornaments, glittery pipe cleaner and wire
And it spins around to be all burnt out and fried when the Grinch sets the thing on fire!
There’s all sorts of kooky set pieces and props (Properties Master Elizabeth Lueth) to see
Like the jewelry boxes, mailboxes, and the Grinch’s Christmas star for the tree.
Have we covered the whole of the aesthetic delights?
I feel like we’re missing something— oh yes, the lights!
Wearing more than just her directorial hat, Christy Stouffer designed the lights and all that!
Alan Lueth has programed them, he’s the lighting technician—
He keeps the Grinch looking green, he’s a lighting magician.
Now surely that rounds out all of the wonderful looking zips and zooms—
Oh hang on a minute— we almost forgot costumes!
Kristen Earp is the wrangler, the coordinator of the show’s sartorial selection.
Using some of Christy Stouffer’s 2017 originals to provide costume perfection!
Take the joyous Whobiliation scene— where every Who girl and boy is dressed up a whole bunch
It looks like Christmas threw up on them after getting way drunk on Who Christmas punch!
There’s reds, greens, blues, and snowflake and more
Stockings and snowmen and Christmas galore!
The costumes are decked out with tinsel, whistles, and bells
It’s so gosh dark festive, they look really swell!
Now we talked all about the people in charge— Stouffer, O’Connor, and Levine— making the show great
The music is swell, the acting is fine, it’s such a good show— get your tickets don’t wait!
There’s a chorus of Who-girls, all lively and lovely with bell voices that ring
When they do a little Christmas cabaret and they jingle along while they sing.
There’s Katie Blackwell, Lexie Brinkley, Lainey Fields, Katlyn Lueth, Natalie Tangrea, and Sarah Swain
They do “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bell Rock” dancing and smiling through each singing refrain.
They play all the different Who girls in class with their Teacher Miss Rue Who
And she’s a delight, miss Danielle Smith, in her Christmas-doily sweater and bright red Who-hairdo!
We’ve got some boy Whos— like Stu (Tyler Swain) and Drew (Will Lucas) Who
They’re the rowdy brothers of the darling little Cindy Lou Who!
And Police Master/Hatseller Jonathan Monroe changes characters just like that
He’s kind and well-spoke and for 99% off he will sell you a Who-hat!
As we work our way up the adult Whos in Whoville we find we’ve still got a few left to go
Like Shari Golden playing Who Bris, who just can’t seem to say no.
To whatever it is that Mayor August May Who has to say
Played by George W. King III, that zany antagonistic Who might just make your day.
King III is bombastic, with animated facial features and crazy expressions when he shouts
With that barricade-borrowed jacket he’ll tell you just how he’s had his tonsils out!
Twice they’ve come out, and he’s quite adamant about that very curious fact
And he bends over and backwards in that scene with Cindy Lou Who, now top that!
Of course there’s nice woman-Whos too, they’re both really nice ladies—
Oops, almost forgot Moses (David Valderrama), and they call him crazy!
Back to the ladies we were discussing— Clarice and Martha May Whovier
That’s Sue Becker as Martha and Christy Stouffer as Clarice, well at least on this day.
They’re both really lovely, they’re both super swell, they sing and they smile and they move really well!
Both Becker and Stouffer are sparkling Christmas gems on the tree
Hopefully by the second weekend Jane Collins (original Clarice) will return, we’ll just wait and see!
We danced all around the Mayor, and his helper Who Bris
All the other Who players— but who did we miss?
Oh yes, there’s Betty Lou Who (Lindsey Miller) she has the best winner’s attitude
She puts up more lights than Martha May and she’s not even rude.
Miller is chipper and maternal and so very cheery
Of her festive Christmas spirit you will never grow weary.
And where there’s mother, there’s father, and in this case you’ll bet—
It’s that wonderful Lou Who, poster master general, played by Brett.
Brett Rhorer that is, looking youthful with glee, is a paternal delight
And he’s earnest and honest, he just wants everyone to be alright.
Rhorer is goofy and amiable and the perfect character in action in this show
His portrayal of Lou Who is golly gosh darn goodness, don’t you know!
That’s literally everyone— pull out the Floogal Horns and blow on the sax—
Ah shoot! How could we forget that wonderful dog Max?
Now Max has no lines, though the dog barks and growls a whole lot
Played by Shay Butler, who stays mostly in just one spot.
But Butler is brilliant with all her facial expressions and the way she reacts
She’s one of the best players in the production and folks, those are the facts!
She accompanies the Grinch wherever he goes
In her doggie-dog costume with her makeup painted nose.
Shay Butler is fun and gives such liveliness to the character of Max
So sit back and enjoy her wonderful performance, it’s amazing, and that’s that!
That brings it all down to just two more to discuss
And believe me, these two are worth all the fuss!
It’s the titular character, all lively and green
And he’s quite the act— all unruly and mean.
But before we get into the furry green man with the grudge in his heart and the tight pinching shoes
We’ve got one more character to discuss, the smallest, and sweetest, and loveliest of the Whos.
Why, it’s Cindy Lou Who, Ashley Earp, with a heart of gold and a pure soul and beautiful voice
When you hear her solo-start to “Where Are You Christmas?” you know she was the right choice!
She’s too cute for words and her Who hairdo is perfectly stacked high up on her head
She’s all smiles and wonder filled with resplendent jubilation.
And she melts the icy heart of the Grinch with her heartfelt presentation
Miss Ashley Earp is the perfect companion and foil to Mr. Angry-Furpants
She’s a sparkling gem, who can act, sing and dance.
Now onto that gruff, grim, green, grumpy grouch with furry face, feet, and toes
Mr. Mean-One, The Grinch! Reprising his role, is the sensationally talented Joe Rose.
Bringing a lively and funny and wildly engaging Grinch to the stage
From the live-action book of Jim Carey, you’ll swear he’s borrowed a page.
Though if you listen quite closely, especially in a few of the more touching moments and scenes
You’ll hear a hint of George Bailey, ringing through all the grumpy and green.
It’s like Rose couldn’t decide which holiday classic he loves most
The zany Whoville Grinch or the Frank Capra angels & ghosts!
Either way you get funny, you get fearsome, you get pizazz.
He scoots, runs, jumps, and sings and all of that jazz!
Joe Rose finds that balance, that perfect blend between villain and misunderstood
I think what I’m trying to say is that as the Grinch he’s really quite good.
He’s not too scary for the little ones but he’s not so cheesy he’s bad
In fact, his whole darn portrayal will make you quite glad.
Joe Rose, Ashley Earp, Max the dog and all the rest
Make this production of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas truly the best.
Sing it clearly, sing it joyously, let everyone know— shout it loud
That this production would surely make the late Chuck Dick very proud.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a true delight of this season
I want you to see it— I just gave all the reasons.
It’s a great cast filled with joy and with talent and glee
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, to you and to me.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again in a pinch—
Celebrate with PTC— go see their production of The Grinch.
Running Time: Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes with one intermission
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas plays through December 11, 2022 with Pasadena Theatre Company at Anne Arundel Community College in the Recital Hall of the Humanities Building— 101 College Parkway in Arnold, MD. Tickets are available for purchase at the door or in advance online. Please not that credit cards are NOT accepted at the door. Cash and Checks (with valid ID) are the only way to pay for tickets at the door. If you wish to purchase tickets with a credit card, you must do so in advance online.
