NBC will present THE GRINCH musical this December starring Morrison- Page 4

[beatofthedrum27]

The little girl playing Cindy-Lou ate that up AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. I was literally crying.

[beatofthedrum27]

The little girl playing Cindy-Lou ate that up AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. I was literally crying.

[beatofthedrum27]

The little girl playing Cindy-Lou ate that up AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. I was literally crying.

[KingOfTheMine]

Agreed, that sequence with Cindy Lou's song and the Grinch softening really worked. I don't really believe Morrison when he's just being a baddie, but I think there's promise when he shows some emotion. We'll see if that holds up at the end of the show.

[HeyMrMusic]

Ah they added Where Are You Christmas! (This was a bonus track on the cast album, but it was never integrated into the musical.)

[Scarlet Leigh]

Cindy Lou and her mother are the best things about this. I find myself just totally invested in this broadcast whenever either of them are on the screen.

[bwayobsessed]

The set on top of the mountain looked GORGEOUS

[bwayobsessed]

The set on top of the mountain looked GORGEOUS

[Bill Snibson]

When Denis O’hare is coming off as super boring I start to blame the director. This coulda really hit but man its a big ol miss. Morrison is completely miscast! He clearly doesn't have the chops to make this role really fun for the audience.

[bwayobsessed]

Ya know I enjoyed it. Although it might just be I love any and all versions of the Grinch. Like how can your heart not grow a bit?

But also Young Max should deliver the final narration as in the musical it just makes sense.

[HeyMrMusic]

I agree, I missed Young Max picking up the narration at the end, especially since they had to paraphrase the last line of the book with the Grinch now saying it.

Overall, I thought once it got to “It’s the Thought That Counts,” it really worked. It was messy and seemed like they only did one take of every number, but there’s such heart in the musical that can’t be denied.

[Jordan Levinson]

I had this taped on my DVR, and I just finished. I haven't seen this live and it's been a while since I last heard the World Premiere Cast Recording.

"Who Likes Christmas?" was a solid opener as expected, although I thought some of the Whos looked like Oompa-Loompas or citizens of LazyTown with those costumes.

I like when Mel Marvin's original score goes back and forth in a couple of songs between the vibrancy/tonality of the Whos and dissonance of the Grinch. Few songs truly captured my attention, however.

I too give my praise to Cindy-Lou and her mother. Beautiful voices from both.

Booboo Stewart was adorable prancing around on all fours. Denis O'Hare was meh but did fine with "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Unappealing.

Is this me, or does "Santa for a Day" musically resemble "Maybe" to an extent?

At times, the show felt like a competition of "How many 'who' jokes can we crack in two hours?". About one of the only times the book fell flat.

Matt Morrison. Well, he wasn't the disaster I was expecting him to be from the previews and sneak-peeks. He was so-so tonight, but he had his moments, and although his "One of a Kind" was good, I thought Patrick Page did a better job on the cast album. Oh, and I may have let out a little chuckle at the "social distance" reference and some of the fourth-wall jokes ("Ugh, a ballad!".

For those that saw any of the B'way engagements, how much was changed/cut for tonight? Did the Grinch's sleigh fly/levitate right before the finale?

 

In short, I will say that this was not a waste of an evening. It could have been better, though. Nice little treat for the holiday season. I bet Dr. Seuss is very proud up there.

 

 

 

 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Am I the only one who kinda thought Denis O'Hare might've been better served as the Grinch?

[Alessio2]

Anyone know where I can watch this after the initial airing? Hulu perhaps?

[HeyMrMusic]

The book is much more concise onstage. They added and altered a lot here, probably to fill out the two hours. (It’s a zippy 90-minute musical.)

The framing device of the stage show is that Max is, how shall we put it, on his way out. He wants to remember his favorite Christmas one last time.

When the Grinch drops the rocking horse in “Mean One,” he drops it into the orchestra pit. That bit made much more sense onstage than however it was handled here.

The Wonka-like sidekicks don’t exist in the stage version. The “Mean One” reprise is meant to be an audience singalong.

The sleigh did teeter on the mountaintop onstage as it did tonight.

“Where Are You Christmas” doesn’t happen in the stage version.

I did not see Patrick Page in the show, but he’s certainly a menacing presence on the cast album. I thought Gavin Lee was delightful at MSG a couple years ago. However, the late, great Stefan Karl played the Grinch on tour for about six or so years and was a true master of physical comedy and timing. Honestly, it’s one of the best stage performances I’ve ever witnessed.

[unclevictor]

Eek! That was... eek!!

[NOWaWarning]

I really didn’t care for it. I never saw the stage show, but I just don’t think this adaptation was for me, as far as the writing goes. I found most of the songs to be mediocre, vague, and oddly placed structurally. I didn’t feel like I got any sense of character from anyone despite the pretty game performances. And the humor fell completely flat, but I do think the lack of audience is always a killer with these TV musicals. I think the technical aspects were pretty good, but I would expect that from a non-live filmed musical.

Morrison didn’t embarrass himself or anything, but he was just miscast and his character voice sounded like he was passing a kidney stone the whole evening. I really didn’t like the dogs, the material written or their performances. I cringed whenever they were onscreen. I thought Cindy Lou was charming and earnest and her ballad was the best song of the night. She stole the show.

I also thought, “Where Are You Christmas?” didn’t make any sense in that context. “Did Christmas change or just me?” Neither. You were robbed.

That being said, I hope it’s a huge ratings success and they do another musical for the holidays next year. Just pick a better musical like Annie or the Christmas Carol musical or something.

[dramamama611]

I can't believe I forgot this was on last night!  Does anyone know if it's available OnDemand/Streaming.   

[BwayLB]

I liked it. But they were too many commercial breaks. Matthew Morison started off weak but got stronger as a Triple Threat later on. They were some awkwardly played out moments. Dennis and Bobo were fun as Max. The sets and costumes were spot on!

[HeyMrMusic]

It’s on Hulu.

[darquegk]

I’m convinced that this production and concept were initially offered to Neil Patrick Harris- Morrison seems to have been directed to watch “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and give as direct a Count Olaf as he could.

[nasty_khakis]

I could not get into this at all. I'm admittedly not a fan of the stage musical, but the pace of this dragged with constant commercials. I really think for these live events they need to just go old-old school and get a big sponsor and cut half the ad breaks. I'd rather have "Pepsi Presents!" said constantly and the Whos carry soda bottles around in scenes than the constant interruptions. 

Morrison seemed to be auditioning to play Sweeney Todd with that weird dark intensity.

[dramamama611]

HeyMrMusic said: "It’s on Hulu."

Thanks...will search it out!

 

[Sutton Ross]

I loved his sexy Grinch, it was just fun to see a new musical on tv. I watched it with no commercials and with an edible. No complaints here! 

[Dollypop]

The reviews for this have been devastatingly bad.