author: Leonard Taube
“Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot. But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville did not”. Sound familiar? No? Then go back to sleep. Don’t read any more. But for those of you whose mother might have read the famed Dr. Seuss book How The Grinch Stole Christmas to you when you were a child (it was written in 1957 believe it or not), or for those whose Christmas traditions includes watching the animated 1966 TV special every year, there is now a way to take your love of the tale of the next level. And what else could that be but….a musical. Yes, a musical. Originally commissioned by and produced at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the musical actually debuted back in 1994 so yeah, it’s been around for a while. It has since played to packed houses nationwide and gone through several revisions over the years, most notably when adjusting the production for the Broadway stage.  Paramount was keeping as true to the tale as possible and ensuring the integrity of the original story.
It’s funny how certain terms have slithered they way into American lexicon to designate a particularly strong emotion or trait. Take A Christmas Carol for example.  The protagonist in that book, as most will recall, is the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. From that book, and countless films and plays based on it, the term “Scrooge” is used to describe anyone who is curmudgeonly, miserly and a hater. When someone says something negative or doesn’t embrace the joy of the holiday season, people will look at them and say “Bah Humbug!” (one of Scrooge’s famous sayings). Well, such is the story with this book, and today the term “Grinch” is used to refer to someone who, well, is either mean spirited or just isn’t in the Christmas spirit (i.e. “Don’t be such a Grinch!”).
For those who are feeling not at all Grinchy, or perhaps are but desperately seeking a remedy, come check out the musical of this most beloved of Christmas stories at The Hippodrome (Baltimore, MD). With a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, and music by Mel Marvin, this crowd pleaser is sure to delight children as well as the kid in all of us adults. Director Matt August has put together a fun-for-all production that stays pretty close to the original story. There are a few notable differences from the book and animated TV special. Most visible is that, unlike the book and special, the show is narrated by Max (the dog). But rest assured you will still hear the classic songs such as “Welcome Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.
Costume designer Robert Morgan has put together some outrageously cute costumes that virtually scream “Who!”. It’s as if the characters of the book have been plucked out of the pages and placed on stage. And as for Mr. Grinch himself, wow. With head-to-toe green fur and long green flowing finger extensions, the first sight of the Grinch drew screams of adoration from throngs of children in the House and cheers from the adults. Choreographer and Co-Director Bob Richard should be commended on the rousing and highly entertaining dance numbers. Richard gets the cast up and moving as much as possible, putting the large cast of triple threats through their paces.
The entire cast will entertain you for sure, and are full of boundless energy, but I must mention four notables. First, speaking of boundless energy, there is Young Max (the dog) played with enough puppy energy to make you dizzy. Played by Andrew Fleming, he jumps, licks, barks, dances, bounces, flounces and is a perfect foil to his evil master. Fleming’s Max, complete with the antler on this head that we all remember and love, will have you smiling and, by the show’s end, will have endeared himself to your heart.
Old Max (the dog), who narrates the show, is played by Nicholas Hambruch. Hambruch opens the show by wiggling his backside to the House, much to the delight of laughing children, and does a fine job of taking the audience through the story with emotive narration. It’s a clever addition, but if you can’t have the inimitable voice of legendary screen actor Boris Karloff, then Hambruch is the next best thing.
Cindy Lou Who (played alternately by Hallie Freiman and Khloe Saclolo) is cuteness personified. With a little girl angelic voice, and an equally sweet disposition, she will steal your heart for sure. Even her body movements are like the animated special’s character, with feet and arms down and curved (the attention to detail in this show is mind boggling). And with a song “Santa For a Day” (“Not a ballad!” the Grinch complains when she starts signing) as pure and clean as if it had come down from the heavens above, this little girl (who got serious cheers at curtain call) is one to watch. For someone so young, this little one is amazingly talented.
Lastly there is, who else, but The Grinch, played by Cody Garcia. A native of San Antonio, this song-and-dance man comes to the stage boasting a whole host of credits to his name. To name but a few, he has starred in leading roles in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Elf the Musical. Standing at 6’4”, he cuts quite the figure onstage. Garcia carries the show. Literally. From the first time we see him in that outlandish Grinch costume, to his first song “I Hate Christmas Eve”, to a one-man song and dance number “One of a Kind” which truly showcases this young man’s confidence and entertainer abilities, to the final reprise of “Who Likes Christmas?”, Garcia never lets you down. He starts off Grinchy and morphs, albeit slowly, throughout the show into a nice guy who finally gets the meaning of Christmas.
With some clever special effects, a cast full of colorful characters, and a relatively short run time, it’s a perfect chance to bring the family and treat your kids to a fun afternoon (or evening) at the theatre. Or treat the kid in yourself and bring your spouse or a date.  A clever score, complete with the old favorites from the special, and interspersed with some great song and dance numbers, everyone will find something to like about this show. And for those who might be feeling a bit Grinchy, who knows. By the end of the show you may, just may, find that your heart will have grown 3 sizes that day. It’s been known to happen.
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
How The Grinch Stole Christmas plays through November 30th 2025 at The Hippodrome inside The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center— 12 N. Eutaw Street in Baltimore’s Bromo Arts District. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 410-837-7400 or purchasing them in advance online.