The Grinch Opens! *Updated with Reviews*- Page 2

[James2]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 4:20pm

New York Daily News enjoyed it:

Eat your heart out, Ebenezer. There's a new holiday humbugger in town. He's a mean, green, Who-hating machine.
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" is based on the 1957 storybook by Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) about a grump who tries to ruin the holidays for his neighbors, the Whos, and learns a big lesson. The musical, which opened last night, expands the story a bit and manages to maintain much of its humor and pathos. At about 70 minutes, it's also kid-friendly.

Timothy Mason (book and lyrics) and Mel Marvin (music) tell the story as a flashback recalled by the Grinch's old pooch Max (John Cullum, who's classy, even with a tail). Rusty Ross is a sassy young Max, who's forced to aid his meanie master.

The role of Cindy Lou Who (Nicole Bocchi and Caroline London alternate in the part) has grown. In the book she's "not more than 2." She's about 10 here, and belts the sweet - if a bit too sugary - "Santa for a Day" to teach the Grinch about Christmas. There are six more new songs. All are serviceable, if not exactly Seussian, and move the story along.

The show includes familiar songs from the 1966 TV version of "The Grinch," including "Welcome, Christmas," the Whos' holiday anthem, and the tune many people can't wait to hear, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," the delectably witty ditty by Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague. Both Maxes perform it, as the Grinch gleefully ransacks Whoville. (The audience also briefly gets to sing along.) The familiar songs come off surprisingly well as staged by director Matt August.

In a green shag-carpet body suit and matching makeup, Patrick Page is a great Grinch. He plays it with just enough bark and bite. When he struts, slinks and soft-shoes (soft-paws?) through the intentionally show-offy "One of a Kind," an ode to the Grinch's loner status, he conjures everyone from Captain Hook to Mama Rose.

The production's chief asset is its design, inspired by the book's illustrations, which were done only in shades of black, white and red. Robert Morgan's eye-popping white, pink and red costumes are pure whimsy, head to toe. (If some curlicues on Whowear look like bull's-eyes, it may have to do with the show's sponsor - Target. Who knows?)

John Lee Beatty's sets of Who homes, the Grinch's lair and Whoville from a distance are just as ingenious. The show's most high-flying effect creates the Grinch's late-night sleigh ride with reluctant "reindeer" Max. Such a fun, theatrical moment makes the show a real Whoot.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/469512p-395177c.html

[jv92]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:22pm

I guess Clive Barnes doesn't review music and lyrics, because how anyone could enjoy this score over Seussical's is beyond me.

[ktennenbaum]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 11:37am

Thank you so much for saying this! Wouldn't it be nice if for 70 minutes everyone, including the ever so cynical & sophisticated theatre critics, could just see the message of this show through the eyes of a child? Isn't that what it's all about? Giving children, and adults as well, the message of Christmas in an entertaining and imaginative way?
All I can say is this, take a look at the faces of the children in the audience to see if this play is working. They are awestruck and smiling. And anyone who is not walking around singing "Who Likes Christmas" afterwards is tone deaf! And one more thing, why do the adults refuse to even recognize that
Whatchama Who (the amazing dance number done by the Who Children's Ensemble) is easily the most exciting number in the show. Is it that grown ups are basically jealous of children, especially at Christmas when we no longer are visited by Santa Claus? Come on people, this isn't the TV special from years ago, and it's not replacing "A Christmas Carol" it's just asking that we make a little space in our hearts for another great Christmas story!!!

[ktennenbaum]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 11:43am

Thank you so much for saying this! Wouldn't it be nice if for 70 minutes everyone, including the ever so cynical & sophisticated theatre critics, could just see the message of this show through the eyes of a child? Isn't that what it's all about? Giving children, and adults as well, the message of Christmas in an entertaining and imaginative way?
All I can say is this, take a look at the faces of the children in the audience to see if this play is working. They are awestruck and smiling. And anyone who is not walking around singing "Who Likes Christmas" afterwards is tone deaf! And one more thing, why do the adults refuse to even recognize that
Whatchama Who (the amazing dance number done by the Who Children's Ensemble) is easily the most exciting number in the show. Is it that grown ups are basically jealous of children, especially at Christmas when we no longer are visited by Santa Claus? Come on people, this isn't the TV special from years ago, and it's not replacing "A Christmas Carol" it's just asking that we make a little space in our hearts for another great Christmas story!!!