The Old Globe Announces Casting of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 21st annual production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The holiday musical will run November 3 - December 29 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Previews run November 3 - November 7. Opening night is Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. The Grinch is directed by James Vásquez, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. The original production of Dr. Seuss's 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.

Tickets start at $29.00 for adults and $19.00 for children (17 years and under). Children under the age of three will be admitted to 11:00 a.m. performances only, which are open to all ages. At the 11:00 a.m. performances only, children under the age of two are free but must occupy the same seat and sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in attendance. Regardless of age, each audience member, including babes in arms, must have a ticket to be admitted into the theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 21st incredible year, the family favorite features the songs "Santa for a Day," "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)," the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

Edward Watts returns to the Globe after receiving critical acclaim and delighting audiences as The Grinch in 2017. He has appeared on Broadway in Scandalous, Finian's Rainbow, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, The Fantasticks, The Most Happy Fella, and Lincoln Center's Show Boat, in addition to the national tours of The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, and The Little Mermaid. His recent regional appearances include The Little Mermaid (Music Theatre Wichita), The Music Man (The Lexington Theatre Company), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Goodspeed Musicals), and he appeared on PBS in the acclaimed "Live from Lincoln Center" broadcast of Show Boat with the New York Philharmonic.

Sadie Tess Coleman, who has been part of the Little Who ensemble for two years, alternates in the role of Cindy-Lou Who with Leila Manuel, who is making her Globe debut.

Two-time San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 16th appearance in The Grinch at the Globe. In addition to his extensive San Diego credits, he has been seen Off Broadway in Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera, Back to Bacharach and David, and others. He received a 2016 Creative Catalyst Program grant as writer and composer for The Artificial Woman. He is co-creator and arranger for Everybody's Talkin': The Music of Harry Nilsson and musical arranger for 33 1/3 and Yours, Truly, both to premiere in 2019. Tommy Martinez, making his Globe debut, will scale Mt. Crumpit as Young Max. He played the lead role of Jack Kelly in the first national tour of Disney's smash Broadway musical Newsies. His other recent credits include lead roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Addams Family, Next to Normal, and Legally Blonde.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who), Bets Malone(Mama Who), Larry Raben (Grandpa Who), Kyrsten Hafso Koppman (Grandma Who), Zoe Carnot and Audrey Fundingsland (Annie Who), Taylor Coleman and Bianca Rodriguez (Betty-Lou Who), Alexander Ikizyan and Sean Pope (Boo Who), and Gavin August and John Perry Wishchuk (Danny Who). The ensemble consists of Sophia Adajar, Joelle Dana Advento, Nicholas Alexander, Jacob Caltrider, Janaya Mahealani Jones, Hannah Lee, Lindsay Mains, Sarah Meahl, Mackenzie Nibbe, Arden Pala, Viviana Peji, Amare Phillips, Marcus Terrell Smith, Hailey Topolovac, Kelsey Venter, and Stella Grace Wahl, as well as James Vásquez (Swing).

This season's production features Additional Choreography by Bob Richard and Musical Direction by Elan McMahan. 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), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Jess Slocum (Production Stage Manager).

"The Grinch is once again returning to the heart of Balboa Park! All of us at The Old Globe are delighted to welcome him back," said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. "For more than two decades this magical show has been a San Diego institution, introducing young people to the joys of theatre and bringing families together for the heartwarming rush of good cheer that only the live theatre can provide. We are thrilled to reunite our beloved Who family old and new with the brilliant Ed Watts, who is returning as The Grinch. Many of these extraordinary actors return year in and year out, and we love watching the littlest Whos grow up onstage along with our audience members. For many San Diegans the Grinch Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the holiday season, and we're looking forward to it. This year's sensory-friendly performance will offer additional surround events created by artists on the spectrum, including Grinch-y AXIS workshops and performances! This is a special time of year at the Globe, touched with the genius of Dr. Seuss and chock-full of surprise, entertainment, and joy."

The Old Globe will once again offer a sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Saturday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. Following very successful performances the past five years, The Grinch will be performed for children on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as other families with special needs that may appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment this performance provides. 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 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. New this year is a sensory-friendly story-video created by Inclusion Films, whose founder, veteran filmmaker Joey Travolta, teaches filmmaking workshops to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout California.

2018 also marks a special FREE arts engagement AXIS surround event, including a pre-show concert featuring Jungle Poppins, an animated troupe of performers on the spectrum whose quirky original songs, favorite movie soundtracks, and upbeat covers will give show attendees a chance to get the wiggles out to familiar music, as well as with easy engagement activities. Following the Grinch performance, all can enjoy a Whoville Sings workshop with Paul Eddy, an inclusive drum circle featuring Banding Together, and a Grinch-y improv workshop.

The 13th annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 11 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's 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 Copley Plaza. Although the event is free, reservations are required. Reservations can be made by contacting the Ticket Office at (619) 23-GLOBE. They will be available for the general public on Friday, October 26 at 12:00 noon. The Grinch production performances that day will be at 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Audrey S. Geisel/The Dr. Seuss Fund at The San Diego Foundation, Bank of America, and Random House Children's Books. The Old Globe's Arts Engagement Discovery Programs, which include Grinch Initiatives and Free Student Matinees; are supported in part by Terry Atkinson; Bank of America; California Arts Council, a stage agency; The Charitable Foundation; Ann Davies Fund for Teaching Artists; Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation; La Jolla Kiwanis Foundation; Peggy Matthews Foundation; Nordson Corporation Foundation; Patrons of the Prado "Bucks for Buses" Program; Pratt Memorial Fund; SDG&E; Viasat; Wawanesa Insurance; and Wells Fargo Foundation. Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.

James Vásquez (Director, Swing, Dance Captain) is happy to be celebrating his 16th Christmas in Whoville. Previously with The Old Globe, he directed the world premiere of American Mariachi, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Rich Girl, and Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show; served as associate director for Dr. Seuss's The Lorax; and provided musical staging for The Comedy of Errors, Boeing-Boeing, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, among others. With The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program, he has directed Clybourne Park and the world premiere of Keith Reddin's Acquainted with the Night. He recently received the Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for In the Heights (Moonlight Stage Productions), and he received the award in 2010 for Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company). His other recent directing/choreography credits include American Mariachi (Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company), The Addams Family (Moonlight Stage Productions), West Side Story and Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), Pippin, the West Coast premiere of [title of show], and Next Fall (Diversionary Theatre), and Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Pageant (Cygnet Theatre Company), as well as developmental workshops at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals. Mr. Vásquez is an award-winning filmmaker, amateur gardener, and lover of dogs. Mr. Vásquez is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He has been seen in NBC's Hairspray Live!, on the national tour of Kinky Boots, and on Broadway in Newsies.

TICKETS to Dr. Seuss's 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 November 3 and continue through December 29. Ticket prices start at $29.00 for adults and $19.00 for children (17 years and under). Children under the age of three will be admitted to 11:00 a.m. performances only, which are open to all ages. At the 11:00 a.m. performances only, children under the age of two are free but must occupy the same seat and sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in attendance. Regardless of age, each audience member, including babes in arms, must have a ticket to be admitted into the theatre.

Performance times : Previews: Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. Opening Night is Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. Regular performances (November 3-21): 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. The sensory-friendly performance is on Saturday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. (there is no 11:00 a.m. performance that day).

Additional performances/holiday schedules: Sunday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m. (Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, no 2:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.); Friday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (no 7:00 p.m.); Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 4:00 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 21 at 5:00 p.m. (no 7:00 p.m.); Monday, Dec. 24 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. ( no 7:00 p.m.); Thursday, Dec. 27 at 5:00 p.m. (no 7:00 p.m.); Friday, Dec. 28 at 5:00 p.m. (no 7:00 p.m.); and Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (no 11:00 a.m.). There are no 7:00 p.m. performances on Wednesday, Nov. 14; Thursday, Nov. 15; or Friday, Dec. 7. Dark on Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and Christmas (Dec. 25).

The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. The Balboa Park valet is available during weekend performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.