By Patricia Morris Buckley | SDUN Theatre Critic
Now an honored holiday tradition after 13 years, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is a musical staging of the 1966 animated cartoon (not the miserable 2000 live film with Jim Carrey). It features two of the songs from the TV version, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (in an audience participation moment that’s one of the show’s highlights) and “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze).”
The rest of the music was written by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin, although none of it is as memorable as the 1966 songs. The show runs a kid-friendly 90 minutes (with no intermission), which is 60 minutes longer than the original. New songs and dance scenes fill up some of that time, but beefing up the script itself are two different versions of Max the dog sharing the stage.
The older Max tells us the story of how he’s leaving Whoville (he never really says why or where he’s going) and remembers his first Christmas as the green-tinged Grinch’s pet. While Martin Van Treuren is wonderful as the older pooch, it’s Logan Lipton’s charm, enthusiasm and doggy-like mannerisms that are the heart of this show. This is Lipton’s third year in the role and already his performance is aged to perfection.
One delightful moment is when the two sing a duet, “This Time of Year,” and harmonize with canine cuteness.
To make the story flow as the Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the ever-upbeat Whos, there are a few theatrical tricks employed. Puppets sometimes play characters seen from a distance and a wonderful scene of the Grinch and Max riding over the mountains gets a little stage magic as well.
Many familiar faces are back in the Whoville cast, including San Diego favorites Steve Gunderson, Melinda Gilb and Eileen Bowman. Sharing the role of cuteness-personified as Cindy-Lou Who are newcomer Remy Margaret Corbin and veteran Shea Starrs Siben. First grader Corbin tackled the part opening night and while Siben (who played the part opening night last year) has a stronger voice, Corbin is beyond charming and acts the stuffing out of this non-turkey of a role.
As mentioned before, Skowron’s Grinch has a lot more humor this year. That doesn’t mean that the Grinch has lost his bite, oh no. But we also giggle with him here and there, which gives the show much more holiday spirit.
Director James Vasquez, in recreating Jack O’Brien’s original staging, imbues the whole show with a rousing Christmas carol soul. Throw in snow in several scenes and you have a holly, jolly good time that’s worth revisiting year after year.
