Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Seattle

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Paramount Theatre

Also see David's reviews of ...Our Gay Apparel, Mary Poppins and All the Way


Cast
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is not only a classic children's book, but also a musical holiday TV cartoon perennial with jaunty songs by the late Albert Hague and lyrics by of coursed, the good Dr. The touring production of the stage adaptation with a book and additional lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin is a cheerful, if sometimes too saccharine adaptation that doesn't wear out its welcome at 95 minutes sans intermission.

Direction by Matt August, whose production is modeled on that of Broadway director Jack O'Brien, is snappy and plays up the laughs, and choreography by John DeLuca and Bob Richard is spirited. Largely, though, the show succeeds because the key characters are so well cast and successfully played. The tale of the not-so-jolly green ghoul whose heart and humor grow after an encounter with the cutest and littlest girl in Seuss' mythical Whoville is here narrated by an older version of the Grinch's beleaguered dog Max, played with ingratiating charm and gusto, and a rich booming voice, by Bob Lauder. As for the Grinch himself, Stefan Karl embraces the cantankerous character without ever making him too scary for the youngest members of the audience. Karl's crowd-pleasing turn sparkles even brighter in scenes shared with Raleigh Shuck's utterly engaging Cindy Lou Who (she alternates with Aviva Winick). He also pairs off well with the young Max, played with waggish abandon by Andreas Wyder. The rest of the ensemble has enough energy to power the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

John Lee Beatty's sets are owed a huge hunk of the credit in recreating the visual world we know so well from the Seuss illustrations, allied with an exemplary lighting design by Pat Collins, and Robert Morgan's bright primary colored costumes that help bring out the Whos' unique physiques. Generations have enjoyed How the Grinch Stole Christmas and this version helps preserve it, realizing in its pacing and brevity something that came across as torpid and bloated in the Jim Carrey-starred Hollywood live-action film.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas runs through December 7, 2014, at the Paramount Theatre at 9 th and Pine, downtown Seattle. For more information go to www.stgpresents.org. or contact Seattle Theatre Group at 877-STG-4TIX (877-784-4849). For more information on the tour, visit www.grinchmusical.com/tour.


Photo: paparazzibyappointment.com

- David Edward Hughes