Grinch casting

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:10pm

Well, they certainly landed some first rate people for this:


"Full casting has been announced for Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! – The Musical, based on the holiday classic. The show will have its debut on Broadway this holiday season at the Hilton Theatre (213 W. 42nd St.) from October 25th – January 7th.

Joining the previously announced Patrick Page (The Lion King, Julius Caesar) in the title role will be Tony Award-winner John Cullum as Old Max, Kaitlin Hopkins (Party Come Here, Bat Boy, Noises Off) as Mama Who, and Michael McCormick (The Pajama Game, Gypsy, Marie Christine) as Grandpa Who.

The show will also feature Rusty Ross as Young Max, Caitlin Belcik and Heather Tepe (alternating) as Annie Who, Nicole Bocchi and Caroline London as Cindy-Lou Who, Aaron Conley and Malcolm Morano as Boo Who, James Du Chateau and Eamon Foley as Danny Who, Libby Jacobson and Brynn Williams as Betty Who, Jan Neuberger as Granny Who, and Prince Waldman as Papa Who.

The Little Who Ensemble will comprise Jahaan Amin, Kevin Csolak, Antonio D'Amato, Danielle Freid, Brianna Gentilella, Sky Jarrett, Jess Le Protto, Daniel Manche, Katie Micha, Jillian Mueller, Nikki Rose, Molly Ryan, Corwin Tuggles, Kelley Rock Wiese. Featured in the Adult Ensemble will be Janet Dickinson, Andrew Garner, Josie Roberts, William Ryall, Jeff Skowron, and Pearl Sun. Amy Griffin and Kurt Kelly will be Adult Ensemble swings, while Little Who Ensemble swings will be Rafael Luis Tillis and Lawson Young.

Cullum two-time Tony winner for Shenandoah and On the Twentieth Century, while he has also been seen on Broadway in Urinetown (Tony nomination), Camelot, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Tony nomination), Boys in Autumn, Hamlet (with Richard Burton), 1776, All My Sons, Show Boat, and many more. His TV roles include a five-season run of Holling the Bartender on "Northern Exposure," "ER," "Law & Order: SVU," and"Touched By an Angel.". Film work includes The Secret Life of Algernon, 1776, Sweet Country, and Hawaii.

"Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! – The Musical appeals to audiences from 3 to 83 and is the perfect family holiday event. For the first time in Broadway history, the production will be offering 12 performances a week – four more than any other show on Broadway. This will provide families with even more opportunities to see The Grinch, especially with a total of 8 performances scheduled on weekends and 11 am Thursday matinees for schools – also a Broadway first. Plus, families will rejoice with special ticket pricing 10%-15% below most other Broadway musicals," state press materials.

"Featuring the hit songs 'You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch' and 'Welcome Christmas,' this beloved tale comes to life for the first time on the New York stage. Max the Dog (Cullum) is your narrator as the Grinch’s (Page) fiendish plan to steal Christmas from the holiday-loving Whos unfolds. However, the Grinch soon discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic." The musical features book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. Matt August directs.

The musical will feature sets by John Lee Beatty, lighting by Pat Collins, costumes by Robert Morgan, sound by Acme Sound Partners and puppetry by Michael Curry, as well as mucial direction and vocal arrangements by Joshua Rosenblum and orchestrations by Michael Starobin.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! -- The Musical is produced by Running Subway, with Live Nation, EMI Music Publishing, Michael Speyer & Bernie Abrams with Allen Spivak and Associate Producer Audrey Geisel.

Ticket prices range from $25 - $99 with Premium seating also available. General Public and Group tickets on sale now through: www.GrinchMusical.com; Group Sales Box Office, 800.223.7565, bestofbroadway.com or Tickets for Groups (888.507.6909 or ticketsforgroups.com)."


http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=12211

Updated On: 9/14/06 at 04:10 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:14pm

I really like this casting.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:18pm

I like it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:19pm

Yay for Jan Neuberger!

[Producer2]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:21pm

john cullum as max the dog? why "old" max?

[misto625]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:24pm

This is a great cast. Michael McCormick always seems to keep working, it's amazing. Yay for Price Waldman as well.

I see Heather Tepe's name here and I wonder whatever happened to Addison Timlin, who played Baby Louise to her Baby June. I met Addison multiple times at the Gypsy stagedoor and she was really sweet.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:28pm

Updated On: 9/14/06 at 04:28 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:29pm

john cullum as max the dog? why "old" max?


The story is being told by "old" Max about when he was much younger.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:43pm

Hmm, I guess Daniel Manche is leaving Tarzan to be in the ensemble of this show? I don't understand why he would do that as he has a great part in Tarzan.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:47pm

John Collum and Kaitlin Hopkins?

I'm there!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 5:00pm

I wonder how the cast will handle the 12 show weeks. Will understudies perhaps do a couple of the performances for the leads? Cullum is 76 years old after all.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 5:07pm

Daniel may not be leaving Tarzan to do this. He's not on in Tarzan every day, and I don't think he'll be performing the full 12 shows in this.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 5:39pm

Good point about Daniel.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 6:48pm

I wasn't interested in this, but if Kaitlin Hopkins is doing it, then I'm there!

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 6:52pm

I heart John Cullum!

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 8:04pm

wow, I always knew John Cullum was older, but 76! AND STILL PERFORMING!!! Wow, what an actor, and an inspiration to those wishing to pursue theatre.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 8:53pm

Daniel IS leaving Tarzan.

I am SO excited for the casting of this show! YAY Libbie Jacobson. Gotta love her! And Brynn who has SUCH a beautiful voice.

I am probably even more excited for Amy Griffin! I've been waiting to see this girl on Broadway for over 6 years!

[whatever2]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 10:49pm

> I wonder how the cast will handle the 12 show weeks. Will understudies perhaps do a couple of the performances for the leads?

i wondered the exact same thing margo. four shows a day seems like a stretch ... i would be furious if i bought tix and got understudies.

[zoom]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 10:52pm

Is this being considered a "Broadway" show, meaning Tony nom consideration?

And..is this Equity? Did all those kids have to join?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 10:59pm

Considering it's not a tough show, or a tough score, or a tough anything else, I can see it working 4 shows a day easily, at 90 minutes a piece.

However, I bet Page and Cullum skip the 11 o'clock shows.

[JerseyScoundrel]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 11:01pm

Margo, this is just the same as doing A Christmas Carol on Broadway at MSG. Its alot of work, but they will get used to the conditions.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 11:03pm

Hey, if the CoU cast can do a 9 hour marathon....

[Gloryday225]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 11:35pm

Sweet, Eamon Foley's brother goes to my school! I didn't expect to see his name pop up, he's a cute kid.