Steve Blanchard Returns to the Title Role in the Old Globe's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, On Sale Now

Single tickets for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! are now on sale online at www.TheOldGlobe.org. The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vásquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, November 17 – December 29. Previews run from Nov. 17 – Nov. 23. Opening night is Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $37 to $87 for adults and from $24 to $82 for children. Performances are restricted to children 3 years and up except for the 11:00 a.m. performances for which tickets can be purchased for children of all ages. Everyone must have a ticket. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office beginning at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Steve Blanchard will reprise his role as The Grinch, which he played last year in his Globe debut. Blanchard has appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol and can be heard on the original recordings of Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein and Northbound Train.

The Old Globe will offer an autism-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Following in the footsteps of successful autism-friendly performances of The Lion King and Mary Poppins on Broadway, The Grinch will be performed in a friendly and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Slight adjustments will be made to the production including fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members. Additional features will also help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for children with autism and other sensitivity issues, including a pre-show visit to the Globe to familiarize children with the theatre; an online social story available to view and print at home that will outline in words and pictures the experience of a visit to the Globe; a quiet area in the lobby of the theatre; and on-site volunteers to assist families as needed. Theatre Development Fund's (TDF) Autism Theatre Initiative serves as an advisor for The Old Globe's autism-friendly Grinch performance (www.tdf.org/autism).

The seventh annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 6:00 p.m. on the Globe's Copley Plaza. The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be located in the center of the Plaza and will remain for the run of the show. This fun family event will feature a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Although the event is free, reservations are required. Information on how to RSVP will be announced at a future date.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! features book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. The original production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was conceived and directed by Jack O'Brien with additional lyrics by Theodor S. Geisel, additional music by Albert Hague and original choreography by John DeLuca. This season's production features Musical Direction by Charlie Reuter, Additional Choreography by Bob Richard and Restaged Choreography by James Vásquez. The Grinch creative team also includes John Lee Beatty (Scenic Design), Robert Morgan (Costume Design), Pat Collins (Lighting Design), Paul Peterson (Sound Design), Anita Ruth (Orchestrator), Joshua Rosenblum (Vocal Arrangements and Incidental Music), David Krane (Dance Music Arranger) and Leila Knox (Stage Manager).

The complete cast will be announced at a later date.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Audrey Geisel, SDG&E, Bank of America and Random House Children's Books. Additional support is provided by KPMG.

TICKETS to Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances begin on Nov. 17 and continue through Dec. 29. Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performance times: Previews: Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Regular Performances: Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additional performances: Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day), Monday, Dec. 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 27 at 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day) and Friday, Dec. 28 at 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day). There is no 5:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, Dec. 29. There are no performances on Thanksgiving (Nov. 22), Nov. 27, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Christmas (Dec. 25).

LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available ($10). For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

CALENDAR: Richard III (6/3-9/29), As You Like It (6/10-9/30), Inherit the Wind (6/17-9/25), Divine Rivalry (7/7-8/5), Allegiance – A New American Musical (9/7-10/21), Good People (9/29-10/28), Measure for Measure (11/10-11/18), Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/17-12/29).

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theaters and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 75 years. The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, which are both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theater's education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair, and the annual holiday musical, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theaters across the country.

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