There’s something about a redemption tale that always makes me misty. And there’s no better for the season than Dr. Seuss’ story about that mean old Grinch who “hated Christmas and all the Whos down in Whoville.”
The Old Globe Theatre is back with the 25th incarnation of the saga about the return of the Grinch’s now-retired faithful old dog Max (Steve Gunderson), who comes back to say hello and farewell to the Grinch, the current dog Max and all the Whos he liked so much.
The new Young Max – Tyrone Davis, Jr. – is a wonderful addition, with a lovely voice and charming acting style. The Maxes quickly make friends, and Old Max relates the whole story to the new dog in a show just as charming now as it was the first time around.
The world seems to get getting Grinchier by the day, but this one – played by returnee Andrew Polec in a seemingly rattier and grungier green suit than I recall – looks even worse. No wonder he’s in such a bad mood.
The Grinch’s attitude worsens as Christmas approaches – he simply can’t fathom what’s to be jolly about. How can he stop it? Then he comes up with an “awful, wonderful” idea – to stop Christmas from coming.
He figures that since the holiday seems to be about shopping, all he has to do is disrupt the gift-giving and that dinner with the “traditional roastbeest.”
He tries to do that, but no matter how mean he is, the Whos still offer friendship and good cheer. How can any self-respecting meanie deal with that?
You know the answer, but you’ll love seeing it onstage for the first or 25th time, because it’s just fun.
The cast is great, many of them repeaters, and the kids are double-cast. I saw the Red Team, adorable as always, and this Cindy-Lou Who (Issa Ally) manages to melt the Grinch’s heart without much effort. Between her and Young Max, the old grump doesn’t stand a chance.
Many of the adults Whos are returnees, and they welcome the fine Kevin Solis as Papa Who.
Director James Vásquez adds just the right touches, and Elan McMahan officiates again in the orchestra pit. She and her orchestra of eight keep the by-now famous 10 songs (by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin) percolating along.
It’s hard not to walk out humming some of the songs and thinking about how nice it is to be nice. What a great holiday present.
The details
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” plays through December 31, 2022 on the Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage.
Performance schedule varies; please visit TheOldGlobe.org for a full schedule, call the box office (619) 234-5623) or visit the Globe’s box office in person.
Cindy-Lou Who (Ally Issa) and the Grinch (Andrew Polec)
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