LaCageFans: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 10:47am

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Review

https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com/howthegrinchstolechristmas.htm

To heck with the kids--this is one of the best holiday presents you can give yourself. Adapted from the children's book by Dr. Seuss, the charming tale is now a limited engagement Broadway musical and while it is just edgy enough to help you forget the more cloying aspects of Christmas, it is also sweet enough to remind you of the reason for holiday cheer. Is it a perfect musical? No, not by any means! But to not enjoy this spirited show is to be just as heartless as the Grinch himself.

Bitter and selfish, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, the sweet little folk who live at the bottom of his mountain home. When little Cindy Loo returns his hateful act with kindness, she melts the old miser's heart. There are many reasons to take a trip to the Hilton theatre this holiday season: inventive wordplay, those hum-able tunes, and Patrick Page's very memorable turn as the Grinch.

Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur and wonderfully expressive Angelina Avallone makeup, Patrick Page perfectly cast in this holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness so smoothly. Adding to the fun is a perfectly pitched John Cullum as the Grinch's aging dog Max as this story's narrator. Matt August proves a fine choice for the director's chair with a keen balance of comedy, sentiment, and light-hearted Seussian whimsy. Set designer John Lee Beatty gloriously realizes the wackiness of Whoville architecture. Then there's the Grinch's good-natured young mongrel Max, played by Rusty Ross, who's been perfectly cast. The production gets a bit overwhelmed by its own ambition, but in the end, who cares? What audience-goers ultimately get is adorable and rousing entertainment.

Take a little time to discover the magic of the Mean One this holiday season! Target brings Christmas' best-loved grump to life in all its splendorous glory. The ending is as thrilling as when Rosie O'Donnell gets happy on The View! The Grinch is a celebration of the holiday spirit nobody should be without!

[ktennenbaum]

Posted: 11/12/06 at 7:00pm

Now that's a nice review! I'm glad someone else sees the beauty in this production!

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 2:45am

LOVE THIS REVIEW!

Thanks!!!

"The ending is as thrilling as when Rosie O'Donnell gets happy on The View!"

LMAO!!! Ah yes! "BARBRA STRIESAND HAS BEEN STAYING IN MY MIAMI BEACH HOUSE FOR TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Haha!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 9:17am

Thanks guys, I thought the show was adorable - a fun holiday event that I'd go back and see again year after year. Just the perfect amount of festivness to put you in the holiday mood.

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 11/13/06 at 1:22pm

love this review :)

The show actually made me cry, because I remembered how when I was little this is what I would read and watch every year. People don't get that sometimes.

They should bring this back every year. :)

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 12:15pm

I agree...that Radio City Christmas show needs some Company, bring back THE GRINCH every year for 2 months...great ol' Holiday Fun!

[folkyboy]

Posted: 11/14/06 at 12:21pm

interesting take. can't say i felt much the same but i do see the great aspects of the show. i think it wouldn't be as strong without Patrick Paige, however.