How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2018
Holiday season is officially upon us. Christmas music is playing in the stores, and holiday themed shows are popping up in theaters all across the Twin Cities. I was thrilled to add the Children's Theater and their adaptation of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas to my Christmas Theater list. Most of us know the story of the Grinch, the beloved book by Dr. Seuss has been adapted to film multiple times, but there is nothing like seeing live action theater. And there is nothing like seeing a theatrical adaptation of Seuss than seeing it at the Children’s Theater. They have a long history of producing Seuss adaptations, and their experience shows, they do it extremely well.
The book comes to life on stage. The sets and the costumes are all perfectly textured to the unique flavor of Seussical whimsy. And the production adds theatrical magic to the Seuss classic with fantastic song and dance. All the adults and children involved also bring holiday joy and Seuss like silliness in their performances. Reed Sigmund is the Grinch. He is fun to be afraid of and it is even more fun to see he heart grow three sizes as he is touched by Christmas Spirit. Dean Holt is the narrator, the older version of the Grinch's dog Max and he does a great job of moving the story forward. Natalie Tran is the younger version of Max, going along with the Grinch with all his plans, rather reluctantly at times as Max loves Christmas. She gives a very funny performance. It is so exciting to see so many talented young people on stage at the Children’s Theater. Lastly Audrey Mojica plays Cindy-Lou Who, winning the whole audience and the Grinch over with her innocence and love of Christmas.
The Children’s Theater has done it again. Putting together a show that will truly thrill the whole family. One of my favorite things about going to the Children’s Theater is hearing the reactions of all the children in the audience as they experience live theater. The kid’s at my performance really seemed to love the show, seeing a story they knew but in a different way.
The holidays are full of tradition, and as much as I love seeing new shows around the Twin Cities, as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter it is nice to find comfort in the familiar. In familiar stories and in familiar shows. Last year I made a goal of adding more holiday shows to my winter theater calendar and it has been a joy to revisit many of them again this winter. Especially The Children's Theater's How the Grinch Stole Christmas which I plan on making a holiday tradition.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is on the Children's Theater's United Health Group Stage until January 6th. Click here for more information about the show and how to get tickets.
*Photo by Dan Norman