It may be a sunny and (relatively) warm November, but at the Pantages Theater -- temporary home to Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!  The Musical -- it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  


At a short runtime of 1 1/2 hours, the production manages to pack in a singalong version of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," a couple solid messages about love and the evils of consumerism, and a few other surprises along the way.  The plot moves along at a very steady pace, and no song will leave you yawning or checking the playbill to see how many are left.  Best of all, the set design and costumes are straight-up whimsical with a classic Dr. Seuss feel.


The action is narrated by John Larroquette's (The Practice) Old Max, an aging and world-weary version of the Grinch's youthful, eager puppy ("Young Max" played by Hairspray's James Royce Edwards).  When the story opens, the Whos of Whoville are busy reveling in holiday cheer, while the Grinch looks on bitterly from the top of Mount Crumpit.  As the notoriously rotten, holiday-hating title character, Stefan Karl (Nickelodeon's LazyTown) takes a page from Jim Carrey's 2000 performance, transforming the antisocial Grinch into a charmingly flamboyant creature who just needs a little love to have a change of heart.   For most of the performance he prances around the stage like he owns the place, dressed from head-to-toe in shaggy green fur, and is thus responsible for the majority of the laughs -- especially during a surprisingly showy solo number that seems to poke fun at over-the-top Broadway showtunes.  The Whos, on the other hand, are outfitted in bright red, pink and white garb, and when they appear, it's saccharine overload. 


Nonetheless, the pivotal meeting scene between Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch is the perfect sentimental climax, and highlights Kayley Stallings' awesome set of pipes.  It's hard not to tear up during her song "Santa For A Day" (unless, of course, your heart is "two sizes too small").


If you find yourself overwhelmed by the holidays this year, the Grinch musical is a solid solution.  Sometimes all it takes is a man in a furry green suit to remember what Christmas is really about.



 



How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

November 10, 2009-January 3, 2010

@ Pantages Theater

6233 Hollywood Blvd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90028    Map

Tickets:  $25-$100